12 places where rafting is in France

Are you asking or doing rafting in France? A small overview of the best spots to practice it in a beautiful natural setting.

Our country remains well known for its exceptional natural sites and its varied vegetation. To practice rafting, France has very beautiful sites. In total, it accounts for more than 10,000 kilometers of rivers. This playground, almost inexhaustible, remains the opportunity to discover very beautiful sites.

Accessible to all, rafting is a very friendly sport. As a family or friends, it is practiced at the closest to nature, especially to multiply discoveries. Permitting to live beautiful sensations, it becomes even more animated in rapids. Practical in the vivid waters of mountainous regions, rafting appeals to any age. Take a place on a raft, a hand paddle and follow the tumults of the streams.

Are you wondering where to make rafting in France? Here are the most beautiful rafting spots to devalue the French rivers.

1. The Gorges du Verdon

Renowned for its turquoise waters, the Gorges du Verdon remains a unique site to practice rafting. Beyond the beautiful cliffs and its well-kept enchanting setting, test a route of more than 20 kilometers.

If you’re looking for sports rafting, devalue the Gorges du Verdon rather in spring or autumn. At this point, the water level rises and the sensations become even more intense. That’s certain, you’ll necessarily enjoy this beautiful spot la Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur .

2. The Massif des Écrins

The Alps are full of rapids and tortuous passages, for the greatest happiness of lovers of strong sensations. Take part in the Massif des Écrins, to discover the Gyr, the Onde or more La Durance For example.

You will be able to take full advantage of rafting and enjoy the many facilities available on site. The Durance is also the largest river in Provence, with 323 kilometres long.

Quite quiet and therefore accessible, this river remains ideal for rafting to be realized with family or friends. And even by choosing the classic course, you will not miss the famous Rabioux wave. You will then be very proud to have borrowed it.

With its multiple descents, the Alps offer great opportunities to make rafting in France. And after your rafting session in a group, you may offer a small swim at Serre-Ponçon Lake. It even remains classified as one of the most beautiful lakes in France, so it would be a shame to deprive yourself of it...

3. The Gorges de l’Allier

Want to make rafting for all levels? Direction the Gorges de l’Allier and its varied streams. Here, the Gorges are suitable for beginners who want to introduce themselves to rafting in France, as well as for great athletes looking for strong sensations. The Allier Gorges allow you to choose your course according to your rafting level.

The descents take place throughout the season, from April to October. Along the water, you can enjoy many still wild landscapes. You will not forget also the historical side, thanks to the beautiful Romanesque churches to be seen from the shores.

4. The Gorges du Tarn

What if you go to Tarn to practice rafting? The Tarn unveils many sites suitable for rafting, such as the Cevennes.

With different routes, with very varied difficulties, there are really many for all tastes. rafting enthusiasts in France will be able, without great difficulty, to make the full of strong emotions.

5. La Haute-Garonne

A true rafting land, the Haute-Garonne in Occitania , remains an ideal site to have fun by descending the stream of water. For example, you can first visit the Fronsac and Luchon sites. But since the last great vintage of the Garonne, the practice of canyoning is no longer allowed on the other hand.

6. The Gorges de l’Aude

You will also be able to pick up on the Aude. In the Pyrenean pedestrian, the landscape has nothing to envy the other departments. You can enjoy a beautiful view in addition to your sports descent.

If you are not a great fan of the rapids, we advise you to go to the village of Ax, to join the town of Quillan with your raft. Here, the river displays great tranquility and so you will not have any bad surprises. Otherwise, many other spots await you, for more enlivened descents.

7. Isère

For the most athletic, head to Isère, including its longest descent, with a 23-kilometre course. Located between Bourg-Saint-Maurice and Centron, this route is very lively.

Along the Tarentaise valley, the descent should give you a lot of surprises and sensations. And if the course seems a little too long, you can test the course of 3 kilometers. But know it, the descent is just as agitated!

8. The Doron de Bozel in Savoie

If you have at least one first rafting experience, you can try Le Doron de Bozel. This beautiful river of Savoie is located close to Mont Blanc . As much as knowing from the beginning, this journey remains known to be one of the most difficult in France. If you're looking for great sensations, you'll be happy.

Measure to this beautiful dynamic river and its rapids. You will not be disappointed. Qualified as an alpine river, it is almost like a black ski trail. We'll have to tame this impressive river. And being one of the most beautiful rivers in Savoie, the Doron de Bozel should not leave you indifferent.

9. The Ubaye River in the Southern Alps

To adapt to all types of levels, visit the South Alps, discover the Ubaye River. It is also one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe. In total, it is not less than 50 kilometers of rapids that you will be able to discover. And these paths remain easy to approach for beginners.

Making rafting in France will become a real pleasure in this preserved site, where wild nature dominates. Totally natural, without a dam, for example, it is still possible to make rafting all year round on the Ubaye. If you can make rafting on a daily basis, however, you should know that spring reserves a more substantial flow of water.

10. La Dranse en Haute-Savoie

Crossing the Haute-Savoie department, the Dranse River then flows into Lake Geneva. This spot in the heart of the forest remains very family-friendly. You can then come to rafting in a group, and even with children under the age of 10.

With its routes adapted to the youngest and beginners, there is still an accessible and very user-friendly rafting site. The flow of water remains important in the middle of the season, especially from April to June. Enjoy a good quality of slip for your rafting descent.

11. Tavignano or Golo in Corsica

And if this rafting session in France took you to France Corse ? A sport destination par excellence to try hiking, mountain biking or diving, you can’t miss the rafting. And if you are looking for an ideal watercourse for a rafting descent, opt for the Tavignano or Golo routes.

The latter, being the largest river on the island, offers a lot of sports opportunities. Some places should even give you some sweats, especially when the passage becomes much narrower to pass. You will then be rewarded with the beauty of the site.

12. Le gave d’Oloron in the Pyrenees

For the less temeraires, wanting to carry out their rafting baptism, towards the tip of Olon, a small river of the Pyrenees. The name of the river means “ streams of torrential water”. So he was already predestined to beautiful descents in rafting... This rafting spot is yet quiet and remains really perfect for beginners.

You just discovered twelve beautiful places to make rafting in France. If you like large spaces and strong sensations, these different sites should please you.

For rafting in France to remain a real pleasure, please always choose your descent according to your level. Each rafting site offers its own difficulties. Whether you're a beginner or confirmed, always choose the most suitable route.