What you will experience

Canoe through the heart of the Val d'Allier Nature Reserve, one of France's most beautiful birdwatching sites, and watch herons, terns and bee-eaters in their unspoilt habitat.

Set up a tepee in the middle of nowhere and enjoy an evening by the water, with a campfire, a meal prepared by your guide and a swim in the river.

Navigate the meandering course of Western Europe's last great wild river, with its sandbanks, alluvial forests and islands deserted by man.

Discover the unique river dynamics of the Allier and the challenges of preserving it, right in the field with your enthusiastic guide.

Take advantage of your free time to fish, observe the wildlife or simply enjoy a drink with your feet in the water as the sun sets.

Travel around twenty kilometres along the river each day, alternating between sailing, nature breaks and setting up your base camp.

Itinerary

1
DAY1/ 5
- Accommodation·Bivouac
  Where we'll be spending the night
We meet at the campsite in Châtel de Neuvre from 6:00 PM.

After a quick introduction and a tour of the site, we will go over the equipment we’ll be using during the trip. Together, we will set up the tipi for the first time before starting to prepare dinner. This will be a great moment to get to know each other and learn more about the Allier River and its unique ecosystem.

2
DAY2/ 5
- Accommodation·Bivouac
  Where we'll be spending the night
- Distance·25km
  KM covered
After breakfast and packing up the camp, we will depart directly from the campsite. We will embark in the heart of the Val d’Allier Nature Reserve, considered the second-largest ornithological site in France. This is the perfect opportunity to get hands-on with canoeing while enjoying the meanders of the Allier River and observing as many species as possible in their natural habitat. This section of the river, particularly representative of the river dynamics typical of the last wild river in Western Europe, will give us the chance to discuss its preservation issues.

After a lunch break by the water, we will continue for a few more hours to exit the nature reserve and find a suitable spot for setting up camp: setting up the tipi, gathering wood, and preparing the meal. Once done, we’ll enjoy the surroundings, with some swimming, fishing, and a drink by the water while your guide prepares a delicious meal.
3
DAY3/ 5
- Accommodation·Bivouac
  Where we'll be spending the night
- Distance·18km
  KM covered
After breakfast, we will pack up the camp, load the boats, and set off on our now favorite river. The first few kilometers still bear the marks of human presence before we leave civilization behind and quickly immerse ourselves in nature by following the meanders of the last wild river in Western Europe.

We will observe many birds on and along the water. After covering about twenty kilometers, it will be time to set up camp: building the tipi, finding wood, and preparing the meal. Once done, we’ll enjoy the environment, with swimming, fishing, and a drink by the water while your guide prepares the delicious meal.
4
DAY4/ 5
- Accommodation·Bivouac
  Where we'll be spending the night
- Distance·20km
  KM covered
Once the camp is packed up, we’ll get back into the canoes and continue down the Allier River. As the day progresses, the meanders grow longer, and the birds become even more present. We’ll stop to observe beaver tracks, their lodges, and from the water, we’ll see more and more bee-eater and stork nests.

The lunch break will be by the river, followed by some swimming if time allows. We’ll continue until we find a suitable spot for our second night by the water, about 40 kilometers from the starting point. In the evening, we’ll set up camp again, enjoy the view, and share a convivial moment before heading back to sleep under the tipi.
5
DAY5/ 5
- Accommodation·Bivouac
  Where we'll be spending the night
- Distance·20km
  KM covered
On the final day, once the camp is packed and the boats are loaded, we will embark on a 15-kilometer journey to reach Apremont-sur-Allier, one of France’s most beautiful villages. The river will have changed significantly, becoming wider, and we will observe the differences in fauna between the beginning and the end of the journey.

Depending on the time of departure and the group’s desires, we can enjoy lunch either in Apremont or by the water. Afterward, we’ll have a drink at the riverside brewery, a short visit of the village, before heading back to Moulins with all our equipment.

4 more days to discover

Create your free account to read the programme day by day.

The guides who will lead your adventure

Camille

Kayak guide

French

English

Spanish

I'm Camille, and I'm passionate about nature and roaming. I started paddling at the age of 8, on the shores of the Mediterranean. Since then, I've explored some remarkable natural areas in France and abroad, and five years ago I settled in the Allier, where I've continued to live and work in the heart of this beautiful region. A qualified guide with a passion for wildlife and slalom kayaking, I'm also a handyman and cook in the great outdoors.

Find out more about Camille

What's included in the price

Included

Supervision by a professional canoe guide.

Accommodation: You will spend 4 nights in a shared large tipi, sleeping on a thin mattress on the ground for a full immersion experience.v

Canoeing equipment: Canadian canoe, paddle & life jacket.

Camping gear: Tipi, camp equipment, sleeping mat, cooking gear, and tableware.

Meals: All meals are included, from the first evening to lunch on the last day.

Not included

Round-trip transportation to the train station or the meeting point if you join us directly.

Picnic on day 1 and dinner on the evening of day 5.

Any personal purchases or extra drinks.

Campsite car park: The campsite car park at Châtel-de-Neuvre is available for €20, to be shared between passengers.

Anything not listed in the "What's Included" section.

What level should you expect

Level 1

You should be at least 18 years old to participate

You want to experience your first micro-adventure over five days, with family or friends, for a real break in the great outdoors.
You want to learn to be self-sufficient: carry your own equipment, set up your own bivouac and discover the basics of life in the great outdoors.
You're ready to paddle for around 4 hours a day in the sunshine and sleep on a thin mattress on the ground for total immersion.
You can swim at least 50 metres and be comfortable in the water to get the most out of this river adventure.
No previous experience is necessary, just a desire to explore, share and enjoy the Allier in a different way.

Getting there

Start · 18h00

Moulins-sur-Allier station

End · 17h00

Moulins-sur-Allier station

Transport

By train

Do you want to avoid traffic jams and travel in peace? The train is your ally. Here are the connections you need to make:

Departure station > Moulins-sur-Allier
Shuttle or taxi > Meeting point (20 min)

You'll arrive at the meeting point in Châtel-de-Neuvre. Use Tictactrip to plan the most economical and environmentally-friendly route.

By car

Do you prefer the freedom of a road trip? You can drive to Moulins-sur-Allier, where free parking is available (allow a further 20-minute shuttle or taxi ride to the meeting point), or directly to the campsite in Châtel-de-Neuvre, the expedition's meeting point, where parking costs €20, to be shared between passengers.

Do consider carpooling: a WhatsApp group will be set up 10 days before departure so you can organise this with the other participants.

How to register

1

Step 1

Choose your departure date and number of participants

2

Step 2

Book online by paying a deposit or the full amount directly. It is also possible to book by telephone by calling +32 460 25 61 85 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

If the minimum number of participants is reached, departure is confirmed!
If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we will give you a full refund.

Departure is confirmed 15 days in advance for adventures lasting more than 4 days. Departure is confirmed 7 days prior for adventures lasting less than 4 days.

3

Step 3

In the case of a deposit, the remaining amount will be debited from your account before departure.

Your reviews

The opinions of our participants who have placed their trust in us

5.0/ 5 · based on 1 review in this category

vincent V.

Une semaine survie en canoë en Suède un pur bonheur

Femke D.

Une belle randonnée dans les Écrins pour ceux qui souhaitent s'initier à la randonnée en montagne et au bivouac, dans le confort et en toute sérénité. Le guide nous a préparé de bons petits plats et nous a donné des informations intéressantes sur la région.

Robin D.

Excellente organisation ! Thomas est un très chouette guide (accompagnateur), et 3 journées magnifiques!

Boudelet R.

On a passé un excellent week-end en Zélande avec Tom notre skipper! Apprentissage de la voile sans pression et dans la bonne humeur :) À refaire!

Elora G.

Super, un séjour au top !

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to have canoed before to take part?

No, you don't need to be an expert! The route is accessible to beginners and your guide is there to teach you the basics. All you need is to be in good physical condition and know how to swim.

Will waterproof bags be provided to keep my belongings dry?

Yes, we provide you with waterproof bags that will protect all your belongings. They'll keep your stuff dry all day long.

What equipment should I bring?

Once your registration has been confirmed, we'll send you a personalised roadbook for your trip containing all the practical information you need, including a list of equipment you'll need to take.

Do I need to have bivouac experience to take part?

No previous bivouac experience is required, but you should be comfortable with the idea of spending the night out in the wild. We'll guide you through the process and teach you the basics of bivouacking.

Can children take part in the expedition?

Yes, children aged 15 and over can take part in the expedition, provided they are accompanied by an adult.

What is the comfort level of the tent we will sleep in?

You will sleep in a large shared tipi, equipped with a ground mat. The comfort is simple and rustic, with a thin mattress directly on the ground for total immersion in nature. For hygiene reasons, everyone must bring their own sleeping bag. The goal is to embrace the bivouac experience and connect with the environment while having a spacious and friendly shelter for the nights.

Is it possible to pay in several instalments?

Yes, we do. If you wish to pay in several instalments, just let us know and we'll get back to you with the payment details. It is possible to pay in 2 or 3 instalments maximum.

Are instalment payment options available?

Yes, that's right! At checkout, you can choose the Alma option to pay for your booking in 2x, 3x or 4x. All you have to do is select Alma at checkout and follow the instructions. It's simple, fast and secure.

Can I privatise this expedition for my group?

Yes, all our expeditions can be privatised for a group already formed, on the dates of your choice.

To make your request, go to the expedition that interests you and click on "Privatise the expedition". We'll take care of the rest!

What kind of people usually join Wildhartt expeditions ?

You don’t need to be a top athlete or adventure expert to feel at home. Most Wildhartt participants are between 25 and 60 years old, with a balanced mix of women and men.

Many join solo or in small groups of two or three. They often live in cities and are looking for a meaningful brea some time to reconnect with nature, slow down, and enjoy something real.

They usually have a regular movement practice (hiking, running, yoga...), but not with a competitive mindset. They’re in good shape, but don’t necessarily have technical skills. What brings them together is a shared desire to disconnect, observe, learn, and experience nature in a more grounded, accessible way.

If that speaks to you, you'll feel right at home. The group spirit is kind and open, and the pace adapts to everyone.

What happens if the weather is bad?

At Wildhartt, nature is our playground, rain or shine. Rain, snow or wind: our guides adapt the itinerary, activities and accommodation to guarantee you the best possible experience.
Unless safety is at stake (storm, avalanche, flood...).

In this exceptional case, we can cancel an expedition, at least one week before departure.
If this happens:
→ You can postpone your adventure at no cost,
→ Or receive a full refund.

What does the price of a Wildhartt adventure include?

At Wildhartt, transparency is essential. The price of your expedition reflects a clear breakdown of costs:

30% for our guides, the mainstays of every adventure.

35% for accommodation and meals, essential for your comfort.

10% for equipment and transport, to guarantee safety and fluidity.

25% for organisation and logistics, from first contact to the end of the expedition.

1% for the rewilding of Europe, a concrete commitment to give back to nature what it gives us.

Our priority: to offer you a quality experience, with complete clarity.

Do you have any questions? Contact us.

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Canoe the Allier River and wild camp in tipi tents

What you will experience

Itinerary