Paddling Down the Ardèche Gorges
Rent a canoe, understand the safety briefing and paddle a French river with a friend, rapids, capsize and picnic included.
Every summer thousands of people rent canoes and kayaks on French rivers such as the Ardèche, the Dordogne, the Tarn or the Verdon, usually from a loueur who drives you back by navette (shuttle minibus). Before setting off you get a life jacket and a bidon étanche (waterproof barrel), and the rental firm will ask you to confirm you can swim. A two-person canoe is un canoë biplace, paddlers call capsizing « dessaler », and you use vous with the rental staff and tu with your friends.
- 1
On voudrait louer un canoë biplace pour la demi-journée.
We'd like to rent a two-person canoe for half a day.
- 2
La navette pour le retour est comprise ?
Is the shuttle back included?
- 3
Il faut que vous sachiez nager tous les deux.
You both need to be able to swim.
- 4
Mettez votre portable dans le bidon étanche.
Put your phone in the waterproof barrel.
- 5
Le gilet doit rester attaché tout le long.
The life jacket must stay fastened the whole way.
- 6
Qui se met à l'arrière pour diriger ?
Who's going at the back to steer?
- 7
Pagaie à gauche !
Paddle on the left!
- 8
On tourne en rond.
We're going round in circles.
- 9
Y a un rapide qui arrive.
There's a rapid coming up.
- 10
Attention au rocher sur la droite !
Watch out for the rock on the right!
- 11
On a dessalé !
We've capsized!
Tip: Paddlers' slang.
- 12
J'ai plus un poil de sec !
I haven't got a dry thread on me!
- 13
On s'arrête sur cette plage de galets pour pique-niquer.
Let's stop on that pebble beach for a picnic.
- 14
L'eau est glaciale !
The water's freezing!
- 15
On se laisse porter par le courant.
Let's just drift with the current.
- 16
Il reste combien de kilomètres jusqu'à l'arrivée ?
How many kilometres are left to the finish?
- 17
J'ai les bras en compote.
My arms are like jelly.
- 18
N'oublie pas la crème solaire, ça tape sur l'eau.
Don't forget sun cream, the sun's fierce on the water.
- 19
Le canoë est coincé sur les cailloux.
The canoe's stuck on the stones.
- 20
Il va falloir descendre pour le tirer.
We'll have to get out and pull it.