Be amazed in more ways than one on this unique overseas trip. Together with your group you’ll paddle rapids, leap off waterfalls, sleep under the stars and return home with newly gained confidence and strength… a coming-of-age adventure they’ll never forget.
The Ardèche Adventure is PGL’s ultimate expedition. Set in the breathtaking beauty of southern France, it’s a journey of incredible experiences, challenges, discovery and personal growth… the kind that can’t be found in the classroom.
From canyoning through ravines to canoeing the crystal-clear waters of the iconic Ardèche Gorge, every moment delivers something awe-inspiring.
They’ll return home tired, happy and extraordinarily proud of what they’ve achieved.
What’s included in your Ardèche school trip
- Full-board stay at Domaine de Segries, our authentic stone farmhouse and cabin village
- Our iconic 2 day, 22 mile descent of the Ardèche River by canoe, with an overnight stay in a National Nature Reserve
- High-Adrenaline Canyoning in the Ardechois Cevennes mountains (1/2 day)
- Thrilling visit to a local High Ropes centre (1/2 day)
- Your choice of enriching excursion day including medieval cities, beaches, cave paintings and more
- On-centre activities such as Swimming, Archery Tag, Disc Golf and Discos
- Excellent facilities such as Basketball, Volleyball, Table Tennis and Chill-out Zones
- Available: May to August
- Duration: 6 days (air travel) / 8 days (coach travel)
Select your group type
Highlights of the Ardèche Adventure
Excursions & Activities along the Ardèche
Aigues Mortes
After lunch groups usually head to nearby Aigues-Mortes – or ‘dead waters’ - a 700- year old, fortified city, the starting point in 1248 for a huge armada setting off for the Crusades. Today the sea marshes and salt pans have left the town some distance from the sea, however it remains a delightful town to visit, with its ancient towers and ramparts. There are plenty of souvenir shops, pavement cafés and food outlets – pizza is a popular choice!
Archery Tag
Let the battle commence! Archery with a twist - you are aiming for each other! In this game of skill and teamwork you are equipped with foam tipped arrows to battle it out in action packed games. You will do some basic skills training before entering the arena to see who comes out victorious! Available March to September
Ardèche Descent
Canoeing through the spectacular Ardèche Gorge is an experience never to be forgotten. In addition to the majestic scenery there are new skills to learn to navigate through the twists, bends and occasional rapids of the river on this action packed 2 day decent – all under the watchful eye of our experienced river team. Along the way take a break for some swimming, rock jumps and games.
Arènes de Nîmes (Nimes Amphitheatre)
Visit the best-preserved Roman amphitheatre in the world, dating back to around 100 CE. Visits take approximately 1hr. This visit works well combined with a day trip to Pont du Gard or Grau du Roi.
Avignon
Ringed by incredibly preserved 800-year-old stone ramparts, for 67 years Avignon was the Papal City and hence has some magnificent architecture, none grander than the massive medieval fortress and palace, Palais des Papes. The Pont d’Avignon – of musical fame – stretches halfway across the Rhône. Ancient cobbled streets pass inviting boutiques; leafy squares overflow with café tables. Most groups choose to visit the old town central area, taking in the key sites and picnicking in the Doms garden behind the Pope’s Palace.
Canyoning
This exhilarating expedition takes you walking, scrambling, swimming and hiking through ravines, rivers and plunge pools, before finishing with a dramatic zipline over the gorge.
Grotte Chauvet
These unique prehistoric caves were discovered by three local speleologists in 1994 and were found to contain the earliest known and best preserved figurative cave paintings in the world. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, the caves themselves are not open to the public, but a brand new replica cave and exhibition was built in 2015, allowing visitors a glimpse into the lives of the people who inhabited these caves 36,000 years ago. A visit lasts around 2 hours and comprises a guided tour of the replica cave, and a self-guided visit to the museum. 30 minutes' drive from Segries.
Le Grau du Roi
Located in the Camargue, famous for its white horses and pink flamingos on the salt flats, Le Grau-du-Roi is a popular French seaside resort. 2 hours from Domaine de Segries. If your group wishes to swim, please ensure you are able to provide adequate supervision for any water activity, according to your local authority requirements. We advise that the group assembles near manned lifeguard stations.
Orgnac Caves
Only ½ hour from Segries lie the caves of Aven d’Orgnac, some of the most impressive and best presented show caves in Europe. The modern visitor centre contains fun and interactive exhibitions on geology and our ancestors, as well as a shop and café. For the visit to the cave, you are accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, who will walk and talk you down through the various magnificent chambers to the deep point 120 metres below ground. From here you can take a lift back to the surface, the whole underground tour taking about an hour. Allow a further half to one and a half hours to see the exhibitions.
Pont du Gard
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Pont du Gard is an ancient Roman aqueduct that spans the Gardon River. Built in the first century AD, it is part of the Nîmes aqueduct, a 50 km-long structure built by the Romans to carry water from a spring at Uzès to the Roman colony of Nemausus. Now a major tourist site with a museum, cinema and discovery area, this visit is fantastic for groups looking for a cultural day out This visit works well as a half day and can be combined with a visit to either the Haribo Museum or Avignon.
River Bivouac
The river ‘bivvy’ is an amazing chance for your pupils to get close to nature and experience a night sleeping outdoors. Having reached the end of their first day’s canoeing down the Ardèche, they build a basic overnight camp on the beach by the river. During the evening, they’ll enjoy an evening BBQ at camp and after some evening games, it’s finally time to bed down under the stars, watch the bats, listen to the frogs and re-charge for another thrilling day ahead.
Swimming
Have a splash in our heated pool. Enjoy fun and games in and out of the water, under the supervision of a PGL Lifeguard
Treetop Adventure
Delivered by one of our trusted suppliers. On this treetop adventure, you will make your way across elevated platforms, obstacles, bridges and swings on this exciting high ropes course through the forest.
Wave Island Waterpark
Wave Island is a waterpark situated in Monteux, near Avignon. Explore the 33 attractions and activities, brave Le Géant 33 metre freefall slide or relax on the long lazy river. Please note you are only permitted to wear swim wear in the park, short sleeve rash vests are permitted.
Disc Golf
Your group will love trying their hand at this exciting, fast-paced sport in the great outdoors! A flying disc sport, players will take it in turns to throw a frisbee disc at a target as they make their way across a 9-holed disc course! The perfect introduction to both frisbee and golf, Disc Golf is the ideal way to incite a little healthy competition amongst groups!
Disco
A popular last night choice, guests learn the moves to popular hits with “follow-the-leader” sessions, plus lots of unique PGL dances! A fun and sociable evening.
PGL Games
A selection of exciting games to help burn off the final bit of energy before bed. These games include, battleships, can off & cornholes.
Quiz
In teams, guests are set a Q & A style challenges to engage their brains & increase their general knowledge.
Silent Disco
Party the night away without the noise of a disco. Every guest has their own set of headphones, where guests can select music from a number of channels to find the tunes they enjoy. Then spend the evening dancing away with friends or trying to guess what song your friends are listening to.
The Ardèche Adventure takes place at our exclusive centre in Southern France
Ardèche – Domaine de Segries
Set your sights on an adventure of a lifetime at our activity centre in the Ardèche Gorge, Southern France.
Explore Domaine de Segries
Why book with PGL?
#1 in outdoor educational trips
Industry experts in care & safety
Options for all budgets
All activities & instruction included
Age-relevant Programmes
Dedicated PGL ‘Groupie’ to support you
Testimonials
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Message Us
If you’ve got a question or want to chat through your next trip, reach out below and one of the team will be in touch.
Ardèche Adventure FAQs
Do students need any canoeing experience?
No previous experience is needed. Our fully trained instructors guide students through every step, from learning the basic strokes to building confidence on the water. All activities begin with a safety briefing, and students are supported throughout the descent of the Ardèche.
What happens if the weather is poor?
The weather in southern France is usually warm and sunny, but if conditions mean an activity can’t go ahead, we always have alternatives in place. These could include on-site adventure sessions, team challenges, or local excursions to ensure the trip continues to be safe, enjoyable and rewarding.
What should students bring with them?
We’ll share a full kit list ahead of the trip, but essentials usually include sturdy shoes that can get wet, swimwear, a towel, a hat and sun protection, plus a refillable water bottle. Evening wear should be comfortable, and a lightweight raincoat is always a good idea. Specialist equipment such as helmets, buoyancy aids and wetsuits is provided by PGL.
What’s included in the price?
Our Ardèche school trip packages cover accommodation, meals, activities, specialist equipment and full instruction. Coach travel can also be included, depending on the option booked. We’ll make sure everything is clearly outlined at the time of booking so there are no hidden extras.
How is safety managed during the river descent?
Safety is at the heart of every PGL adventure. All water-based activities are run by qualified instructors, with safety boats and rescue support in place throughout the descent. Students wear buoyancy aids and helmets at all times, and group sizes are carefully managed to ensure everyone is supported. Read more about our Safety & Security and Risk assessments carried out.
Do groups need passports and travel insurance?
Yes, all students and adults will need a valid passport to travel to France. We recommend that schools arrange comprehensive travel insurance for their group. We can provide guidance on what’s needed and help with the paperwork to make preparing for the trip as straightforward as possible.
Do your trips align with the Department for Education’s Enrichment Framework?
Yes! Our range of programmes and residential trips support multiple enrichment categories and align with the benchmarks set out by the Department of Education’s enrichment toolkit.
From outdoor adventures and curriculum-linked learning to character-building, outcome-focused programmes, we help schools deliver enriching experiences with real impact.
Of course, our trips tick the ‘Nature, Outdoor and Adventure’ category. But that’s only part of the story. Our range of programmes support the ‘Wider Life Skills’ and ‘Sport & Physical Activity’ categories, and our overseas adventures to France support ‘Arts and Culture’ too – helping you achieve more across the framework with one trusted partner.
