We’ll certainly be coming back as there was so much we didn’t do. A big thank you to Jannette too.

A couple of companies based on the river bank at Collias organise these trips which start at Russan and can return to Collias a distance by river of about 24 km, or continue further down the river to Pont du Gard.

We went with le Tourbillon company; the staff are very helpful and speak good English. They met us in the square at Russan and took us to the riverside where they provided a very robust canoe which can sit up to 3 people, life jackets and a large water resistant container for spare clothing, camera, lunch etc. One advantage of this adventure is that you are travelling with the river current and paddling is really only necessary to assist the current flow and steer, particularly in the parts of the river which run faster and which provide real but safe excitement!

The trip took about 4 1/2 hours and we stopped half way for a picnic by the riverside. The first half of the journey is particularly stunning travelling alone through deep gorges with only the company of water birds and fish. It felt like a real adventure holiday. Le Tourbillon provided and map and instructions about any hazards to avoid. The only real one is the weir at Collias where you have to get out of the river and carry the canoe along the footpath for a hundred and fifty meters.

In all a memorable day. We cycled back to Russan afterwards, otherwise you will need to take your car first to Collias and come back to Russan in the le Tourbillon minibus.

Enjoy!

Several footpaths, including two long distance GR routes, pass right in front of the house and quickly take you away from the village into a beautiful area along the Gardon. Then there’s the village cafe for a reviving drink!