Leave the coves and the Bec de l'Aigle 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.
La Ciotat · 13
At the foot of the Bec de l'Aigle and its coves, La Ciotat is made for swimming — but for a wilder water adventure, head inland: the canyons of the Loup valley, in the Alpes-Maritimes.
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).
The ultimate summer activity, canyoning appeals to families and groups of friends alike: you progress along the bed of a mountain stream, navigating slides and pools, with everyone choosing their own level of commitment. It's one of the few adventures where you can experience so many thrills in half a day, with no technical prerequisites. For an outing with children, see our family canyoning page.
This guide : the dive sites accessible from La Ciotat, the packages, the schedule of a 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 La Ciotat, allow about 2h30 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 Marseille, Cassis and Bandol. 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.
Beyond the thrills, canyoning is a true immersion in a pristine environment: you navigate the bottom of gorges otherwise inaccessible, between vertiginous walls and clear pools. The jumps, always optional, can be moderated according to your desires; the swimming and tobogganing, however, are universally enjoyed. It is this diversity that makes the activity so addictive, and which encourages many beginners to return and try a more challenging route.
Canyoning depends heavily on water: too much flow after a storm and the outing is postponed, too little and some slides lose their appeal. This is precisely why it's advantageous to be accompanied by professionals who know the watershed: they choose the right canyon at the right time and reschedule the outing at no extra cost if the conditions aren't met. It's a peace of mind you don't get when going alone.
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.
You enter the canyon and the outside world disappears: only the sound of water, the emerald pools and the rock sculpted by floods remain. Slide after slide, jump after abseil, confidence builds – and each passage is navigated at your own pace, never under duress. The video taken by the guide, as an option, keeps a record of those moments.
From family introductions to sports days, a package for every desire. All-inclusive prices: equipment, state-certified guide, and insurance.
For the options: allow €55 for the discovery half-day (2 hrs 30 mins in the canyon, from age 8), ideal for a first go with family or friends on playful routes. The full day (€80, from age 16) is for those who want to string together abseils and technical passages on a big descent. And for two thrills in one day, the paragliding + canyoning combo at €190 per person remains our most popular offer.
Our prices are all-inclusive: full neoprene equipment, professional supervision and insurance. Payment is made on-site after the descent, with no upfront fees, and rescheduling remains free in case of unfavourable conditions. For groups, hen or stag parties, or birthdays, we offer private slots and tiered pricing – don't hesitate to contact us for a quote.
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.
The descent goes at the group's pace: a slide, a jump you can skip, an abseil secured by the guide, a swim across a pool. Nothing is imposed, everything is supervised. You don't need to be sporty: being able to swim and keep calm in the water is enough. Back at the car park, it's time for the debrief — and for the video of the outing if you took the option (€30), sent to your phone.
To make the most of the descent, come well-rested and hydrated, with snacks for the full-day options. Wear your swimsuit under the wetsuit; bring closed-toe shoes that you don't mind getting wet and a change of dry clothes for afterwards. The rest – safety, technique, route – is the guide's responsibility, who will adapt the course to your comfort in the water and your desire for thrills.
We guide you, we don't manage you : Ailéments is a small, family-run team that has been exploring the region’s canyons since 2013, driven by the same passion. State-qualified guides, small groups, tours at your own pace.
5mm wetsuits, harnesses and descenders checked before each departure. Over 1291 reviews, 5/5. Conditions checked the day before, free cancellation if the canyon is not accessible, payment on site.
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, it's essential. You must be able to swim and to put your head underwater without apprehension. Some basins require swimming a few metres before reaching the exit. If you are not comfortable in the water, canyoning is not the right activity for you.
It is an outdoor sport, with real risks: a state-qualified guide limits them without removing them. We systematically check the weather and water flow before each outing, anchors are checked and equipment inspected. Safety is our top priority.
We provide all the technical equipment: 5 mm neoprene wetsuit, helmet, harness, lanyard, descender and canyon bag. You bring a swimsuit (to wear under the wetsuit), closed shoes such as old trainers, a towel and dry clothes for afterwards.
From closed-toe trainers which you are happy to get wet and damage. No sandals or flip-flops. The ideal: an old pair of trainers or water shoes with thick soles, for good grip on the sometimes slippery rock.
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 2h30 by road from La Ciotat. 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 La Ciotat.
1,291+ 5-star reviews
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