Canyoning Cassis - Nature getaway near the Calanques
There is no river to go down in Cassis itself: the nearest canyoning site is in the Alpes-Maritimes, about 2.5 hours away by road. You come here for the day, with a state-qualified instructor: half day at €55 from age 8, full day at €80 from age 16, equipment included. +1291 reviews 5/5.
Looking for canyoning in Cassis or the Calanques? The nearest site and the most playful canyons are in the Alpes-Maritimes, via the A8 then Grasse: that is where we will meet you.
A change of water and scenery: slides carved into the rock, jumps into turquoise pools, always optional, and swimming from one pool to the next. No experience is needed, you just need to be able to swim and accept putting your head under water.
Your guides, state-qualified, lead 8 people at most. Ailéments is a family business, based in Gréolières and active since 2013.
The canyons
Where can you go canyoning from Cassis?
In the Alpes-Maritimes, from the Loup valley to the Estéron valley. We offer eight canyons, presented on our canyoning in the Alpes-Maritimes page: three as a half day from age 8, five as a full day from age 16.
The canyons you can reach from Cassis with Ailéments
Canyon
From Cassis
For whom
Age
On site
Price
Gorges du Loup
On the road to Gréolières, meeting point in the gorge
Families, beginners
From age 8
2 h 30
€55
Gours du Ray
After the village of Gréolières, about 2.5 hours from Cassis
Families, beginners
From age 8
2 h 30
€55
Cramassouri
Tinée valley
Family introduction
From age 8
2 h 30
€55
Cascades de Courmes
Loup valley, facing Gourdon
Sporty
From age 16
4 hours
€80
Riolan
Estéron valley
Sporty
From age 16
4 hours
€80
Clue d'Aiglun
Estéron valley
Sporty
From age 16
4 hours
€80
Saint-Auban
Estéron valley
Sporty
From age 16
4 hours
€80
Imberguet
Vésubie valley, in spring
Sporty
From age 16
4 hours
€80
To start with, we recommend the Gours du Ray. The Gorges du Loup, near Gourdon, have abseils of 6 m at most; the Cramassouri ends with a 10 m abseil. At the Gours du Ray and in the Gorges du Loup, the abseils can be avoided.
Natural slides and jumps of 2 to 10 m that you can always go around
Guided abseils alongside the waterfalls
Swimming in clear water between the limestone walls of the Préalpes d'Azur
Approach walk of 20 minutes at most on our family canyons
The canyon is chosen when you book, according to the forecast, and it is most often the Gorges du Loup. We check the water flow and the sky before the trip and send you the meeting point by text message the day before.
The season runs from 1 April to 31 October, ideally June to September: the water is at 19 °C in summer. If conditions are not right, we offer you another date, free of charge.
Your day
A day from Cassis: the drive, the canyon and the Loup valley
People come canyoning with us for the day, and they make the most of the valley.
Via the A8 then Grasse, allow about 2.5 hours to Gréolières; the Gorges du Loup are on the way. The meeting point depends on the canyon: in the gorge, after the D6 tunnel, for the Loup canyon; after the village of Gréolières, on the road to Andon, for the Gours du Ray. The exact GPS point reaches you by text message the day before. We do not run a shuttle from the coast: come by car.
With 2 h 30 on site plus the drive, a half day comes to about 7.5 hours. For the sporty full day, allow 4 hours on site and bring a picnic; the drive then depends on the canyon.
Swim in the gorge, walk on the Cheiron
After the canyon, stay close to the water: in summer, you can swim in the Gorges du Loup, and paths run along the river.
Higher up, the Cheiron and the Monts d'Azur reserve are good for walking.
Hilltop villages and a good meal
Go up to see the hilltop village of Gourdon, or stop at Tourrettes-sur-Loup, Bar-sur-Loup and Pont du Loup.
For a meal, ask us: we will gladly suggest a restaurant in Gréolières or Coursegoules.
Calanques
When the Calanques are closed
From 1 June to 30 September, access to the Calanques is regulated. Each day, the Prefecture decides whether to open or close access to the massifs and announces it at around 5 pm, as explained by the Calanques National Park.
It is also a good time for canyoning: from June to September, your trip takes place in the water, at 19 °C in summer. A canyoning trip cannot be improvised the evening before, so it is better to book ahead.
What about the Verdon or the Var?
All our descents take place in the Alpes-Maritimes, where we have been working since 2013: no trips in the Verdon or the Var.
Near Castellane, our closest route is Saint-Auban, 30 minutes away; see our page on canyoning near Castellane.
Here is the Gorges du Loup on video: slides, jumps into pools and abseils under the waterfalls, with a state-qualified guide.
Your guide goes first at each obstacle to show you the technique, then stays with you step by step; jumps remain optional and the pace suits the group. As an option, the instructor films your trip for €30.
Our options
Our canyoning options from Cassis
From a family introduction to the sporty full day, prices include equipment, a state-qualified guide and insurance.
Group from 5 €50 per half dayPrivate trip €400 or €640Video optional, €30Combo + paragliding €190Paragliding gift voucher from €100
The discovery half day, our most popular option, costs €55, or €50 per person from 5: 2 h 30 on site, from age 8, for a family or a first canyon. The sporty full day, at €80, opens up more committing routes, for ages 16 to 70. To have the canyon to yourselves, a private trip costs €400 for a half day or €640 for a full day. The details are on our canyoning prices page.
The paragliding + canyoning combo, at €190 per person, brings together a flight in the morning at Gréolières and a descent in the afternoon. It is possible for two: for the canyon, you join a group already running, as we open trips from 5 people. The canyon is from age 8, the flight from age 5. For the flight alone, see our paragliding near Cassis page.
You only pay on site, after the trip: nothing in advance, and another date free of charge if the weather or the water flow is not right.
Families and groups
With the family or in a group from Cassis
With children, from age 8
If your children are 8 or older, the half day is made for them, as long as they can swim and accept putting their head under water. Jumps remain optional and the instructor sets the pace to suit the youngest.
From 5 people, a trip opens on the date you choose; from 15 July to 31 August, 4 are enough, provided a 5th person signs up. If there are two or three of you, we place you on a trip that is already organised. One instructor leads 8 people at most.
For a hen or stag party, you can book the trip privately: see our hen and stag parties page.
On the day
How does a canyoning trip work?
Your state-qualified guide leads you from the meeting point back to the car park, in four stages.
Meeting point & equipment
Your instructor meets you at the point sent by text message. The 5 mm wetsuit, helmet and harness are provided.
Safety briefing
Jumping position, descender, signals to know: a few clear instructions, no jargon.
Approach walk
On our family canyons, 20 minutes at most to reach the start, enough time to warm up.
Descent and return
Slides, optional jumps and abseils, at the group's pace. You get changed, and the day carries on in the valley.
Jumps are always optional: you can go around. Your guide goes first, shows the technique, then helps you at each obstacle. At the Gours du Ray and in the Gorges du Loup, abseils can be avoided too; this is not the case in all canyons.
Bring swimwear, old closed-toe trainers that will get soaked, a towel and dry clothes. No suitable shoes? We can lend you some free of charge. The details are on our what to wear for canyoning page. Let us know in advance if the water worries you or if you have a health problem.
Our expertise
A family-run school, expert in canyoning since 2013
Our family business has been going down the canyons of the Préalpes d'Azur since 2013: state-qualified guides, a personal welcome and time to talk on every trip.
Canyon equipment checked and renewed each season (wetsuits, harnesses, helmets, ropes, all up to standard). +1291 reviews 5/5. Another date free of charge if the weather is not right, payment on site after the activity, nothing to pay in advance.
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. An idea for a birthday, a celebration or a hen or stag party.
There is no river to go down in Cassis itself. Our canyons are in the Alpes-Maritimes, about 2.5 hours away by road, and we most often go to the Gorges du Loup.
Where are the canyons you can reach from Cassis?
In the Alpes-Maritimes, mainly in the Loup valley, around Gréolières, our base, about 2.5 hours away by road via the A8 then Grasse. You receive the GPS point for the meeting place by text message the day before.
Which canyon is closest to Cassis?
Of ours, the Gorges du Loup, on the road to Gréolières. The Gours du Ray, which we recommend for a first canyon, is after the village of Gréolières.
Can you go river hiking in Cassis?
No, we do not offer it: what we do is canyoning. The gentlest option is our discovery half day, from age 8: slides, optional jumps, swimming in the pools and abseils, which can be avoided at the Gours du Ray and in the Gorges du Loup.
What can you do when the Calanques are closed?
From 1 June to 30 September, access to the Calanques is regulated and decided each day. A canyoning trip in the Alpes-Maritimes is a fine alternative for the summer, to book ahead.
How much does a canyoning trip from Cassis cost?
Allow €55 per person for a discovery half day (2 h 30 on site, equipment included), from age 8, or €50 per person from 5. The sporty full day costs €80 and the combo€190. You pay on site, after the activity.
At what age can you start canyoning?
From age 8 on discovery routes such as the Gours du Ray or the Gorges du Loup. The full day is for ages 16 to 70, on our sporty canyons.
Do you need to be able to swim to go canyoning?
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.
Is canyoning a dangerous activity?
It is an outdoor sport with real risks, which guiding limits without removing: state-qualified guide, water flow and weather checked before each departure, anchors checked, equipment inspected. The risks and precautions are detailed on our is canyoning dangerous? page.
What equipment should you bring, and which shoes?
The technical equipment is provided: 5 mm neoprene wetsuit, helmet, harness, lanyard, descender, canyoning bag. You bring swimwear, a towel and dry clothes for the journey back.
On your feet, closed sports shoes that you do not mind getting wet, no sandals or flip-flops: the rock is sometimes slippery. If you do not have any, we can lend you some free of charge.
When is the best time for canyoning from Cassis?
From 1 April to 31 October, ideally June to September: the water is at 19 °C in summer. This is also when access to the Calanques is regulated.
How long does canyoning last?
On site, allow 2 h 30 for the half day and 4 hours for the full day, with a picnic to bring for the latter. Add the drive from Cassis.
Can canyoning be combined with other activities?
Yes. The paragliding + canyoning combo (€190) brings together a flight in the morning at Gréolières and a descent in the afternoon. In the Loup valley, you can also swim in the gorge, walk on the Cheiron or visit hilltop villages such as Gourdon.
PY
Guide written byPierre-Yves Fenet · Ailéments
DEJEPS free-flight and canyoning instructor, founder of Ailéments in 2013. Specialist in the canyons of the Alpes-Maritimes. Welcomes canyoning enthusiasts from April to October.
About 2.5 hours by road, the canyon, then swimming, walks and villages in the valley. You come for the day.
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From €55 · for families
Half day at €55 from age 8 (€50 from 5 people), full day at €80 from age 16, combo at €190 per person, all included.
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April to October · safety
Weather and water flow checked, confirmation by text message the day before, another date free of charge if needed, payment on site.
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Family business since 2013
A small team of state-qualified guides, +1291 reviews 5/5, and equipment renewed every season.
OUR TESTIMONIALS
Real experiences, real memories, real adventures
EXCELLENT
Based on 1291 reviews
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Alessandra Bugini
Vol en parapente en cadeau d'anniversaire de mon fils de 9ans. Super expérience, super accueil, vraiment adapté aux enfants! Une très belle expérience a renouveler !
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hannah khel yasa
It was a great experience for us especially for our first time in paragliding. Very friendly and accomodating staff. Would definitely go there again next time
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Christel VINCENT
Accueil top, super vol en parapente avec une vue magique sur les montagnes à couper le souffle. Merci Pierrot pour cette expérience et à toute l'équipe pour l'encadrement ! Toujours trop court, on aimerait que ça dure encore un peu.
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Anne Marie Bottoni
Cadeau très apprécié par mon petit fils Pierrot l’a accompagné en toute confiance, un vrai professionnel et de plus très sympathique
Remy Salmieri
Magnifique super équipe vraiment rien à redire
Pascale Pflieger
Très pro!!!
Vanessa Leskinen
Un superbe baptême de parapente en tandem avec ma sœur, chacune accompagnée d’un pilote. Sympas et détendus, Pierrot et Pierre-Yves nous ont tout de suite mises en confiance : aucune appréhension. Nous avons été agréablement surprises par la douceur du décollage et de l’atterrissage. Et entre les deux, des paysages magnifiques ! J’ai même pu prendre les commandes et diriger le parapente pendant quelques minutes… un vrai régal. Deux pilotes très professionnels, que nous recommandons sans hésiter pour un premier vol.
Jack White
Best day out, we did paragliding and then the canyoning. Great value for money and our instruction was excellent we always felt very safe.
I have done canyoning in a few countries and this was the best I have done by far. It was a beautiful gorge and had the clearest water.
We would book again if we ever came back to the area for sure!
Katell Briand
L'activité était vraiment incroyable, merci aux pilotes de nous avoir mis à l'aise et fait vivre ce moment !!
Warda Tahir
Peirrot and his team were amazing! I had a lot of fun. The experience was far more comfortable than I had expected
From Cassis
