Some rivers save their best for last. The Ubaye is one of them. After flowing through the entire lower valley from Jausiers, it plunges into the Gorges Royales — six kilometres of limestone, technical rapids and silence between two storms — before disappearing into the turquoise waters of Lac de Serre-Pонçon.
The Ubaye at its finest
Downstream from the classic run — from our base at Le Martinet to Le Lauzet, the Ubaye threads between limestone cliffs reaching over a hundred metres in places. This is the start of the Gorges Royales — six kilometres of canyon carved by the river and glaciers into this limestone over millennia.
This section is not just the most spectacular visually. It is also the most technically demanding : several rapids of class III, IV and V follow one another in a tight canyon, with no easy exit once committed. The reputation of this stretch has spread far beyond the region — expert kayakers from around the world come to run it.
The descent ends in dramatic fashion : the canyon suddenly opens onto the 3 000 hectares of Lac de Serre-Ponçon. After the intensity of the gorge, the silence and space of the lake feel like a release. It is one of those moments you cannot describe — you have to live it.
When the gorge opens onto the lake, everyone goes quiet. Even after ten runs, it always catches you off guard.
How does the descent work ?
Meeting point is at Le Martinet base, as with all sessions. Our guides kit you out on site, then a minibus shuttle takes the group to Lauzet-Ubaye, the put-in for the Gorges Royales, about ten kilometres downstream.
The descent then covers the 6 km of canyon through to the take-out on Lac de Serre-Ponçon. A second shuttle brings everyone back to base at the end of the session.
As with our other runs, the session lasts around 3 hours in total (welcome, kit-up, outbound shuttle, safety briefing, paddling, return shuttle, de-kit). We offer 3 slots per day to fit around your other activities :
- Meet at 9am — finish around noon
- Meet at 1pm — finish around 4pm
- Meet at 4pm — finish around 7pm
Who is this run for ?
This run is for rafters who have already paddled with us on the Lower Valley — with friends or in families with sporty teenagers. The Gorges Royales require having found your footing in a raft, learned to read the current, and held your role in the crew. If this is your first time on the water, our guides will steer you towards a more suitable run.
Open from 14 years old, in good physical condition. Every crew member must be able to swim 25 metres and submerge. The demanding nature of the canyon leaves no room for hesitation : you must be able to paddle actively and follow your guide's instructions at all times.
It is often during a session on our standard runs that the idea takes root : throughout the descent, the guide watches each person's ease in the water, their confidence in the rapids, their technical control. If the level allows — for the whole group or part of it — they may suggest coming back to take on the Gorges. A second outing that takes preparation, and that must be earned.
When to come ?
High season (July–August) — The Gorges Royales are at their best. Steady flow, comfortable water temperature, long days : the ideal time to discover this run with family or friends.
Low season (April–June and September–October) — The run is navigable depending on current flow. In spring, higher water levels give the rapids an even more pronounced profile. Autumn often offers ideal conditions for experienced paddlers, in a much less busy gorge.
Le Martinet base — the starting point for the Gorges
All sessions leave from Méolans-Revel. A shuttle takes you up to Le Lauzet — the descent ends on the lake. Access, parking and times on site.
