Leave the beaches and vineyards of Bandol behind for the canyons of the Alpes-Maritimes, in the Loup valley: slides, jumps and abseils led by a state-qualified guide. Half-day from €55, from age 8. 1,291+ 5-star reviews.
Bandol · 83
Between beaches and vineyards, Bandol breathes the good life — but in the hinterland of the Alpes-Maritimes, a whole different adventure awaits: the canyons of the Loup valley, canyoning country par excellence.
Natural slides, jumps into turquoise pools and abseils down waterfalls: from the Gours du Ray with the family from age 8 to the big descents of the Courmes waterfalls.
With Ailéments, a family business since 2013, you descend with state-qualified guides who know every canyon in the Alpes-Maritimes.
Each output is everything included 5mm wetsuit, helmet, harness and escort. Half-day at 55 € (from 8 years old), day trip 80 € (from 16 years old).
Canyoning means following water where it has carved the rock: a succession of smooth slides, emerald pools and abseils down cascades. The activity is enjoyed in a group, at your own pace, and is accessible to anyone who can swim – with the bonus of cool water, ideal when the heat sets in on the coast.
This guide : the diving spots accessible from Bandol, the packages, the structure of a dive trip, our local expertise.
Three levels of route in the Préalpes d'Azur (Alpes-Maritimes), from family slides to big sporting descents.
Our signature canyon, perfect for a First family experience. Natural water slides, optional little jumps and swimming in crystal-clear pools.
All levels, from 8 years old. The most spectacular setting in the region for beginners.
The classic route in the Alpes-Maritimes, near Gourdon. Waterfalls, abseils up to 6 m and optional jumps in unspoilt surroundings.
A complete outing to experience all the sensations of canyoning, with no technical prerequisites.
To go further: the Courmes waterfalls and their 60-metre abseil, the Riolan and its two amphitheatres, or the Clue d'Aiglun.
Linked rappels, technical passages and awe-inspiring scenery for thrill-seekers.
From Bandol, allow about 2h20 by road to Gréolières, our base: our canyons are in the Loup valley. The Gours du Ray and the Gorges du Loup make great discovery half-days, the Courmes waterfalls a big sporty day out. The canyon is confirmed by text message the day before, depending on the water flow.
These canyons also welcome visitors from Toulon, Marseille and Cassis. They are just as easy to reach from La Ciotat, close by. Make the most of it to explore the hilltop villages of the Loup valley, such as Gourdon.
we run trips from April to October according to the canyons. For a full day, the paragliding + canyoning combo colligate the flight and descent.
The experience is as much about the scenery as the action: steep gorges, waterfalls, light filtering through the vegetation… You alternate between moments of adrenaline and contemplative pauses, all guided by someone who knows every rock. You don't need to be a top athlete: good humour and a willingness to get wet are enough. Many people emerge from their first descent with one thought in mind – to do it again.
Good to know before booking: the excursion is confirmed the day before, once the weather and water levels have been analysed, and rescheduling always remains free of charge. This flexibility is part of our working method — it's better to postpone by a day than to descend in poor conditions. This is also why we favour the most reliable canyons in the region, which can be navigated across a wide season.
Slides, jumps into the pools and abseils under the waterfalls: a preview of what awaits you, led by a state-qualified guide. Video of your outing as an option (€30), sent to your phone.
Canyoning offers that rare sensation of making your way through a landscape that can only be seen from below: steep-walled gorges, waterfalls and natural pools. The guide leads the way, secures each obstacle and tailors the descent to your appetite for thrills. And as you can only truly believe it once you’ve experienced it for yourself, the photos you take are there to prolong the experience once you’re back on dry land.
From family introductions to sports days, a package for every desire. All-inclusive prices: equipment, state-certified guide, and insurance.
Three packages, all inclusive (equipment, supervision, insurance): the half-day at €55 to discover canyoning gently from age 8; the full day at €80 for thrill-seekers from age 16, on more challenging canyons; and the paragliding + canyoning combo at €190 per person, a day in the air and on the water.
Everything is included in the price: a 5 mm wetsuit, helmet, harness and descender, supervision by a state-qualified guide, and insurance for the trip. You only pay after the descent, on the spot, and rescheduling is free of charge if the canyon is not accessible. Group outings (birthdays, hen parties, stag parties, works council events) have specific time slots and rates.
A simple and reassuring route, supervised from A to Z by your state-certified guide. The canyon is confirmed by SMS the day before, depending on the weather and water flow.
Check-in at the car park confirmed by SMS, then donning the 5mm wetsuit, helmet, and harness – everything is provided.
Jumping position, using the descender, communication signals. No jargon, just practical advice.
20 minutes at most on half-day canyons, to reach the start, time to warm up and admire the Pre-Alps.
Toboggans, optional jumps and abseils to the rhythm of the band, then back to the car park and debriefing.
Once in the canyon, the guide opens each passage, shows you the move and then lets you have a go: jump or go round, you choose, always safely. The activity is open to anyone who can swim and is not afraid to put their head under water. Afterwards, we get changed, share our impressions and leave with the video of the outing on our phone if we took the option (€30).
No specific physical preparation is required: if you can swim and are comfortable with your head under water, you’re good to go. Bring a swimming costume, closed-laced trainers that can get wet, a towel and a change of dry clothes; we’ll take care of all the technical equipment. On the day, listen to the briefing, trust the guide and let yourself be carried along by the rhythm of the descent — that’s where it all happens.
Canyoning as we like it : authentic, friendly, with no compromises on safety. A family-run business since 2013, Ailéments knows every pool and every abseil in the region’s canyons. State-qualified guides.
Professional equipment updated every season, +1291 reviews 5/5. Weather and water flow checked before each departure, free postponement, payment after the activity, no upfront payment.
Do you have a question? Contact us or call us.
Book my descent
There is no canyoning gift voucher: the trip is booked directly. To give an adventure, think of a tandem paragliding flight: our gift vouchers (Child, Ascending or Prestige flight) are valid for 1 year, with no extension, can be personalised and are sent by email. Ideal for a birthday, a party or a hen or stag do.
Do you have a question? Contact us.
Give a paragliding flight
Prices, age, swimming level, safety, equipment, season, duration, access, combo.
Visit 55 € per person for a discovery half-day (2 hrs 30 mins, equipment included), from 8 years old. The sports day is at 80 €. Le combo is at 190 €.
From age 8 on discovery routes such as the Gours du Ray or the Gorges du Loup. Full-day routes are open from age 16 to 16 depending on the canyon.
Yes, knowing how to swim is mandatory, with no certificate required, and you need to be truly at ease putting your head underwater. Several basins are crossed by swimming. Without this aquatic ease, the activity is not for you.
It is an outdoor sport, with real risks: a state-qualified guide limits them without removing them. The water flow and weather are checked before each departure, the anchors are inspected, and the equipment is regularly checked.
The technical equipment is provided 5mm neoprene suit, helmet, harness, lanyard, descender, canyoning bag. For your part: swimsuit under the suit, old closed-toe trainers (which will get wet), towel and dry clothes for the return.
From Closed sports shoes (running or light hiking) that you don't mind getting wet. No sandals or flip-flops: the rock is sometimes slippery, a grippy sole is essential. They will remain submerged for the entire descent.
From April to October, depending on the water flow in the canyons; the water is at its most pleasant in high summer.
On site, allow about 2 hrs 30 mins for the half-day and 4 hours for the full day, not counting the drive. Bring a picnic for the full day.
Our canyons are in the Alpes-Maritimes, in the Loup valley, around Gréolières, our base, about 2h20 by road from Bandol. GPS coordinates sent by text message the day before.
Yes. The paragliding + canyoning combo (€190) combines a flight and a descent. The hilltop villages of the Loup valley, such as Gourdon, are well worth a visit.
4 key points for your descent.
Gours du Ray, Gorges du Loup, Courmes waterfalls. Beginner routes from age 8, big sporty days out.
Half day €55 (from age 8), full day €80 (from age 16), combo €190 per person, all inclusive.
State-qualified guide, weather and flow checked. SMS confirmation the day before, free postponement, payment on site.
State-qualified guides, 1,291+ 5-star reviews. Combo possible with paragliding in Bandol.
1,291+ 5-star reviews
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