Both tours run through the Argence canyon in Aubrac with Escale Verticale, departing from the same car park in Argences-en-Aubrac. The 45 € option is rated Sporty, a half-day intro to rappelling, water jumps and natural slides in the Argence river gorge. The 55 € option bumps the physical level to Very Sporty, pushing harder terrain and more demanding sequences in the same canyon. The 10 € gap is the price of a significantly higher physical commitment, not extra time. Pick the 45 € session if you're new to canyoning or want a solid first read of the canyon. Go straight to the 55 € version if you're already comfortable in fast water and want the full intensity the Aubrac plateau has to offer.
Argence canyon in Aubrac
At 45 €, the Sporty-level session delivers a genuine half-day canyoning experience in the Argence gorge without demanding a high baseline fitness.
Sporty Argence canyon in Aubrac
The Very Sporty session at 55 € is the harder line through the same canyon, built for those who want maximum commitment from the first rappel to the last drop.
The Very Sporty session is built around the canyon's most demanding sequences, including more technical rappels and higher-commitment jumps into the Argence river pools. The standard Sporty session already includes rappels and slides, but the Very Sporty version escalates the exposure throughout.
The 45 € Sporty session is accessible to motivated beginners with no prior canyoning experience. The 55 € Very Sporty session requires good physical condition and ideally some comfort in fast-moving water. If you're unsure, contact Escale Verticale directly before booking.
The Argence river runs off the Aubrac plateau, where water stays cold even during summer. Wetsuits are provided by the operator, and the season runs May through September, with July and August offering the warmest conditions.
Both the Sporty and Very Sporty sessions are scheduled as a half day. Plan for roughly 3 to 4 hours on site including briefing, gearing up and the canyon itself.
Yes. Both tours are led by Escale Verticale guides in French and English, so non-French speakers are fully covered.
| Month | Temperature | Rainfall | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3°C | 125.7 mm | Poor |
| February | 4.2°C | 108.4 mm | Poor |
| March | 4.2°C | 134 mm | Poor |
| April | 7.9°C | 131.9 mm | Possible |
| May | 11.2°C | 91.1 mm | Good |
| June | 15.6°C | 77.1 mm | Good |
| July | 19.3°C | 54.6 mm | Good |
| August | 19°C | 40.3 mm | Peak |
| September | 15.5°C | 83.1 mm | Good |
| October | 10.8°C | 135.6 mm | Possible |
| November | 6.2°C | 134.9 mm | Possible |
| December | 2.6°C | 65.6 mm | Possible |
Equipment
Wear a swimsuit under a thermal layer since the Argence river runs cold off the Aubrac plateau. Escale Verticale provides wetsuit, helmet and harness, but bring water shoes or old trainers with grip for both the Sporty and Very Sporty sessions.
Getting there
Both tours meet at the car park of the Eglise Saint Bernard in Argences-en-Aubrac (12420), roughly 40 minutes by road from Rodez, the closest city with a regional airport.
Updated March 2026