Canoe trekking in the Ardennes
Join us for an open canoe trekking as we paddle through Lorraine and the scenic Ardennes in the north of France. The Meuse River is considered one of the oldest rivers in the world because it flows through the Ardennes massif which was formed during the Paleozoic era. This makes her at least 250 million years old.
Starting our journey on a gentle section of the river we’ll practice different strokes and techniques as we go. As we travel downstream through several picturesque little villages and France’s famous World War I battle fields the character of the river changes all along. From dense forests to endless rolling hills. The river is home to a diverse range of wildlife and there’s always the chance of spotting beavers. The sandy riverbanks are home to colonies of Sand Martins.
Adventurous days on the river will be balanced by tranquil nights in the campsites where we prepare tasty meals each evening leaving you ready for the challenges of the next day.
The Meuse is a beautiful river to make a multi-day canoe trekking. The river is class I everywhere or very limited class II. In other words, she is certainly suitable for novice canoeists with a good physical condition. Keep in mind that there are regular portages because the river is dammed and there are no facilities to transfer canoes.
Trip highlights
- Paddle through tranquil forests and France’s most famous battlegrounds as you journey about 50 km of the River Meuse
- Develop your canoe skills under the guidance of your expert guides
- Learn how to cook on an open fire and enjoy great meals
- Enjoy a true wilderness experience camping under the stars
- Experience being outdoors and who knows, catch some fish
Trip details
Region: Lorraine and Ardennes
Trip type: Canoe trekking
Comfort: Wilderness camping
Duration: 3 days
Length/day: 15 km – 20 km – 15 km
Group Size: 8 maximum
Confirmed: When 2 travellers book
Difficulty: For all paddlers with advanced canoeing skills and some previous experience with canoe trips
By appointment from 3 participants // €435 pp
Practical
€ 435 per person
Trip dates
By appointment from 3 participants
The fine print
Minimum age to participate is 14 years with an adult or 18 years without. We reserve the right to cancel any program with less than 24 hours notice due to changing weather conditions such as strong winds or thunderstorms. Please check your email for cancellation notices before arriving. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but your safety and well-being is our top priority.
Canoe trekking prerequisites
This canoe trekking is accessible for all paddlers with advanced canoeing skills and a good level of fitness. Since we are paddling on river waters competence steering the canoe and good boat controle is an essential skill from the beginning. You can expect up to 5-7 hours of paddling a day plus breaks.
What's included?
- Paddle
- Lifejacket
- Canoe
- Dry bag of 50L for your personal affairs
- Tent
- Water
- Lunch and dinner on Saturday, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Sunday, breakfast and lunch on Monday
What to bring?
- Matress & sleeping bag
- Active clothing and personal stuff
- Personal medication
- Sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses with floater string.
- Snacks & sports drinks if desired
- Download our extensive packing list here
Arrival and departure
We make a start at Bras-sur-Meuse. You are expected Saturday at 10:00am. We will be back on monday afternoon at approximately 05:00pm. Cars will be parked safely.
Accommodation
On this trip, we wilderness camp next to the river each night. We provide tents and also carry a base camp shelter, which means that we can all gather together for dinner and a hot drink even if the weather is inclement. If you require a single tent we are happy to provide this, but otherwise, we do ask that those who are happy to share a tent with other travellers do so. This helps to keep our camp size small, giving us more options of where to pitch and reducing our environmental impact on these precious places.
Meals
Great food is essential to all our trips and canoe trekkings. While the guide will co-ordinate the cooking and help out, everyone is asked to lend a hand as this ensures the best meals in a reasonable time after what are often long days. We will carry plenty of fresh food to cater a varied and satisfying menu throughout the trip, all of these will be prepared on an open fire. We will also carry fresh water. Dietary requirements can still be catered for but please ensure we know at the time of booking.
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