Our take
Two canoe bases on the Allier with three routes, 10 or 20 km, a few rapids and calm stretches. A friendly welcome, and the shuttle that takes you up to the start is included.
Canoe trips down the Allier between Coudes and Pont-du-Château: three routes, 10 or 20 km.
In Pont-du-Château, on the doorstep of Clermont-Ferrand, Auvergne Loisirs offers trips down the Allier by canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard, through the last gorges of the river. Three routes to choose from: two half-day trips of 10 km (2 to 3 hours), from Cournon to Pont-du-Château or from Coudes to Sainte-Marguerite (meet at the Sainte-Marguerite base for this one), and the full day of 20 km (4 to 5 hours), from Sainte-Marguerite to Pont-du-Château. Paddleboarding runs from Cournon to Pont-du-Château. How it works: you park at the finish, a shuttle takes you up to the start, and you paddle back down the river to your car. Depending on the route, you pass below the Corent plateau and its archaeological site, you have a view of Montpeyroux (one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France, the Most Beautiful Villages of France) or you skirt the Malmouche cliff. You must be able to swim 25 metres and be at least 6 years old (12 for paddleboarding). Hire by reservation.
Why we love it
- Paddling down the wild Allier by canoe, kayak or paddleboard
- Three routes: 10 km as a half day or 20 km as a full day
- Corent, Montpeyroux and the Malmouche cliff, depending on the route you choose
Top tip
Booking is compulsory. You must be able to swim 25 m, from age 6 (12 for paddleboarding). Life jacket provided; closed-toe shoes are compulsory and you bring your own (no flip-flops). The best time is still summer, when the level of the Allier is steady.
Before you go
- Large, free public car parks at the bases, motorhomes included. You park at the end of the trip. The car parks are unattended: leave a change of clothes in the car, not your valuables.
- Booking is compulsory, by phone. Plan to be out of the water before 18:30. Rain or cool weather won't cancel the trip; in a storm or strong wind, it may be cut short or cancelled.
- Prices displayed for 2026: canoe half-day (10 km) €21 from age 16, €17 up to age 15; canoe full day €31 and €25; stand-up paddleboard half-day €34, from age 12. Shuttle included. Payment on site by cash, cheque or ANCV chèques-vacances (holiday vouchers): no card payments at the bases.
- Book your option in advance
- The shuttle to the starting point is included: park at the finish
- Dogs allowed, but they're better off being used to water
Weather for the next 3 days
Today
17°/6°
0 mm · 31 km/h
Tomorrow
16°/3°
dry · 7 km/h
Tue 27
22°/6°
dry · 21 km/h
Source: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0). General lowland forecasts, to be cross-checked with specialist mountain forecasts at altitude.
Practical info
- Address
- Rue Côte d'Allier, 63430 Pont-du-Château, France
63430 Pont-du-Château - Monday9h–19h
- Tuesday9h–19h
- Wednesday9h–19h
- Thursday9h–19h
- Friday9h–19h
- Saturday9h–19h
- Today9h–19h
Opening hours
What visitors say
Google rating
Average of 415 reviews on Google Maps.
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Your logbook
Around Auvergne Loisirs
2 spots in and around Pont-du-Château, enough to build your day.
Where to eat close by
€€€Auberge du Pont
4.7Pont-du-Château · a 5-minute walk away
€€Le Réveil des Volcans
4.9Mur-sur-Allier · 1.4 km away
Hikes nearby
Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.
On foot
On footHikes around Auvergne Loisirs
On footOn foot
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