This exciting canoeing expedition in southern France takes place in the dramatic Ardèche Gorge,a place of awe-inspiring natural beauty, largely untouched since prehistoric times.
Join Ray Mears, along with expert local instructors Blue and Caroline, from Adventure Ardèche to learn to navigate the river, read the water, experience the adrenaline of Whitewater canoeing and enjoy a final descent of the gorge.
Laden canoes under the shadow of the famous Pont d’Arc
Meet Your Instructors: Blue & Caroline
We recently caught up with Blue and Caroline, the expert local instructors who work closely with Ray Mears and the Woodlore Team on this expedition. Both bring decades of experience and a passion for sharing their knowledge of open canoeing, Whitewater navigation, and outdoor leadership.
“2025 will be our fifth year running courses from the Base du Cros, and approaching our tenth year with Woodlore” says Blue. “It’s the perfect base for accessing the Ardèche river. We’ve got a calm, deep stretch of water right outside, ideal for practicing strokes before hitting the rapids.”
Located just upstream of the iconic Pont d’Arc—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—the base provides direct access to the heart of the Ardèche Gorge. Each student will have their own bell tent, hearty riverside meals, showers and a relaxed camp in which to rest and recuperate after the days exertions.
“This place gets under your skin—in the best way.”
“I started as a climber and kayaker,” says Blue, “but I discovered canoeing while working in the UK at youth activity centres. It’s such an effective, beautiful way to teach and connect with people.”I fell in love with canoeing here in 1989,” Blue adds
“For me,” says Caroline, “it started when I came to France in 2005 to work a summer job. I never left. 2025 marks 20 years of working on this river!”
This expedition offers far more than a paddle down a river. It’s a deep immersion into:
Open canoeing techniques with a focus on confidence and safety. The average 26-degree water provides the perfect setting in which to become comfortable learning self-rescue and rescue of other paddlers
Flatwater skills – including sport and traditional paddle strokes. Draw upon Ray Mears expert knowledge of the canoe and his lineage of working alongside native people and experts in their field from his own countless trips into the Canadian wilderness.
Whitewater skills – paddle up to grade 2 rapids and learn to grab eddies, ferry glide, correct paddle strokes and use the fast flowing water to your advantage. Plus enjoy the adrenaline!
Rescue skills – rescue yourself and other paddlers in a variety of different ways. practise in flat shallow water and on appropriate white water sections that will make these skills second nature. Learn to remove pinned canoes, swim in rapids, ropework and re entering a capsized canoe
Reading the river—learning to understand currents, rapids, and water behaviour whilst actively canoeing and making decisions as you travel this rugged landscape.
Encountering unique and rare wildlife, learn about prehistoric humans and their impact upon the landscape whilst travelling beneath their dwellings and be inspired by the awesome, soaring limestone cliffs
Be inspired to seek out your own expeditions. The canoe is the embodiment of Bushcraft and to paddle in remote wilderness is a true test of oneself. Learn how to outfit your canoe and be confident in the skills you gain in order to go onto bigger trips and expeditions.
“The Ardèche is alive,” says Blue. “You’ll paddle past prehistoric caves, walk paths used by early humans, and maybe see wild boar, beavers, vultures, and Bonelli’s eagles.”
The People Make the Journey
Spend the week with Ray Mears on the river and this will give you the opportunity to learn first hand from his experiences canoeing, often solo, in the wilderness. From how he has adapted his bushcraft whilst on long range canoe travel and his experiences working with native peoples to running expeditions with Becky Mason, the daughter of Canada’s canoeing doyen – Bill Mason.
“We love working with Ray,” Blue adds. “His knowledge of open canoeing, the culture behind it, and his respect for nature are exceptional. It’s always an honour to work alongside him and the Woodlore team.”
“Every group is filled with fascinating individuals,” Caroline says. “You see total strangers arrive and leave as confident, capable paddlers—and sometimes as lifelong friends.”
Instructor Favourites: A Peek Behind the Curtain
We asked Blue and Caroline a few fun questions about their time on the river:
Favourite rapid?
Blue: “Charlemagne. Slowly.” Caroline: “Charlemagne too. But if I had to choose another—La Pastière. Quickly.”
Most memorable paddling experience?
Blue: “Paddling the Ubaye race course in 15ft open canoes with young instructors—whitewater chaos and joy.” Caroline: “The Rabioux rapid on the Durance. Terrifying. Unforgettable.”
Best paddling trip?
Blue: “A two-week trip on the Sturgeon River in Temagami.” Caroline: “Crossing the Serre Ponçon lake in the Alps—waking up to snow-covered mountains and blue skies.”
Favourite place in the gorge?
Blue: “The sandy beach below the Black Tooth rapid.” Caroline: “Below the remparts du Garn—the rapids are playful, the gorge is dramatic, and the sun is blazing.”
Why Join This Course?
This course isn’t just a trip—it’s an expedition, a learning experience, and a personal journey. Whether you’re completely new to paddling or already experienced, the support, challenge, and wonder you’ll find here are unmatched. As with all Woodlore courses, this is a progressive course and your learning is built on a robust foundation of experience coupled with enthusiasm – and fun!
Final 4 Places – Don’t Miss Out
Spots on this expedition fill fast—and this year, there are only 4 places left. Join a small group of like-minded adventurers, and discover what it truly means to move through nature with purpose and respect in the finest craft ever built, for this is an experience that stays with you long after the river fades from view.
The Ray Mears & Woodlore Bushcraft Blog 