France
April 5, 2023

How to Go Canyoning in South France

Are you heading to the South of France this summer and looking for fun or adventurous things to do? This blog post is going to be for my adrenaline junkies and adventure lovers. Did you know South France is known for its highly accredited canyoning spots and adventures? This complete guide is for those looking for a canyoning experience or you just want an exhilarating experience.

If this is your first time in France then it is important to know that there is the Champagne country, the beautiful cities, the beachside towns on the French Riviera, and the French Alps. The french alps allow France to have some of the best canyons and best canyoning in the world.

Never Let Fear Stop you From Experiencing the World

What is Canyoning

Canyoning is basically a fancy way of saying sliding down waterfalls. We basically chased numerous waterfalls and then slid down the natural slides that mother nature presents. Although I was terrified, it was one of the coolest experiences of my life. If you are looking to spice up your trip or if you are a thrill seeker you must do this! 

Best Time of Year to go Canyoning

The best time to go canyoning mostly depends on the current weather conditions. Spring can be dangerous to go because water from sources high in the mountains is rapidly dropping into the canyons making the water levels too high. I would suggest summertime, the weather is warm and you can expect not as crazy weather conditions unless it rains heavily prior to your expedition. 

canyoning in south france

The Necessary Equipment to go Canyoning

Your most important and usually only requirement is having a bathing suit and a pair of hiking or non-slip shoes. If going with a professional tour guide they usually supply the neoprene suit and neoprene socks. Other things to bring that might be very valuable are sunscreen, a towel, a change of clothes, and water/food. If you are doing your own canyoning tour you will also need a helmet, a harness, and specific canyoning equipment which can be reviewed here.

Top Canyoning Spots in South France

There are plenty of fantastic areas in France to go canyoning so I have outlined the top spots. Since France has many narrow gorges the canyoning spots are unmatched. This leads me to my first recommendation the Gorges du Verdon in the Alps De Provence. This spot gives you turquoise water along with the natural wonders of the Alps. The Verdon Gorges grand canyon is one of the best places to go canyoning and it has a range of easy and difficult canyons to jump down. Another incredible spot to experience the natural slides and natural pools is the Roya Valley in Maglia. Maglia Canyon is known to be a very technical canyon. There is the Barbaira Canyon which is located the closest to the Italian border. You also have the option to experience the Bollène Canyon which is known for its natural pools.  Furon Canyon is where we went canyoning located in Grenoble and only an hour from Lyon, making it a great day trip.

canyoning in south france

Guided Tours

If you are new to canyoning or don’t do it often, it is definitely best to use a  professional guide. Since canyoning is so popular there are many tour guides to choose from. The tour company we went with was Planet Canyon. Since we were staying in Lyon we did the guided tour in Grenoble because it was the closest. Depending on your departure location will depend on which tour guide you use, I would suggest doing your research via Google and reading their reviews.

Other south france activities

If being an adventure-seeker isn’t your thing but you still want to do a day trip there is so much to choose from. You can still experience the beautiful natural wonders of Southern France without having to go canyoning. Below are some incredible options from my favorite tour company.

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