Far from the yachts and beaches, the Gorges du Loup, in the Alpes-Maritimes, offer a whole different adventure: slides, jumps and abseils in the canyons, led by a state-qualified guide. Half-day from €55, from age 8. 1,291+ 5-star reviews.
Saint-Tropez · 83
For a day, leave the glamour of the Saint-Tropez peninsula for the hinterland: the canyons of the Préalpes d'Azur, in the Alpes-Maritimes, offer a wild and refreshing playground.
Natural toboggans, jumps into turquoise pools and abseiling along waterfalls: from family routes for 8-year-olds to challenging descents for the more adventurous, there's something for every level.
With Ailéments, a family-run business since 2013, you go down supervised by State-registered guides, in small groups and at your own pace.
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 spots accessible from Saint-Tropez, the packages, the plan for a trip, our local expertise.
Three levels of route in the Préalpes d'Azur (Alpes-Maritimes), from family slides to big sporting descents — the Gorges du Loup about 1h30 from the peninsula.
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 Saint-Tropez, allow about 1h30 to the Gorges du Loup, the great classic of the Alpes-Maritimes. The site is confirmed by text message the day before, depending on the water flow.
These canyons are accessible from the entire gulf and the Var: one also descends into them from Fréjus, Saint-Raphaël and Toulon. A welcome dose of nature after the beach.
We run trips from April to October, when the water is at its most pleasant in high summer. For a day of 100% thrills, the paragliding + canyoning combo pairs the flight with the canyon 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. For the real risks, see our is canyoning dangerous page. 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 € (16 years and over). The combo is at 190 €.
From 8 years On the introductory courses. The day courses are accessible from 16 years old. You must be able to swim.
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.
The April to October. July-August offer the warmest water and long days; the shoulder seasons remain doable with a neoprene wetsuit.
Half-day: 2 hrs 30 mins on site (equipment, descent, return), plus the drive (about 1 hr 30 mins from Saint-Tropez). Sporty full day: 4 hours on site, plus the drive. Picnic recommended.
The Gorges du Loup are about 1h30 from Saint-Tropez, in the Alpes-Maritimes. 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.
Gorges du Loup, Gours du Ray. Slides and turquoise pools, beginner routes from age 8.
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 Saint-Tropez.
1,291+ 5-star reviews
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