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Mascotte Heureuse Kayaks La VanneBefore coming for your kayak trip down the Semois, don't forget to book online, it's quick, easy and without advance payment: Book your kayak

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS/ ABOUT THE KAYAKS, THE SEMOIS RIVER, RATES,…

Please find our answers to frequently asked questions below. If you cannot find an answer to your question here, feel free to contact us. We will be pleased to help you.

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Semois/
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Public transport services (train and bus) here in the Ardennes are, unfortunately, very poor, so arriving here by this means is like trying to complete an obstacle course. For example: 2 hours with trains + 2 hours by bus to arrive here from Brussels. Moreover, there are only about 2 buses a day. That is why we strongly urge you to travel by car.

You first of all have to reach us: Kayaks La Vanne – Rue Léon Henrard, 10 – 5550 Alle-sur-Semois. Once you arrive, you will be given a briefing, after which you have two options:

    • You can be driven to Poupehan in a minibus to start the 10 km trip from Poupehan to Alle, where your car will be waiting for you.
    • You can set off in a kayak from our place, choosing the 7 km (Alle – Vresse), 11 km (Alle – Membre) or 17 km (Alle – Bohan) route. Once you have reached your destination, just give us a ring and we will come and collect you to drive you to your car.

To avoid any unpleasant surprises it is always best to reserve your kayaks. We often find ourselves having to turn down lots and lots of people because all our kayaks have been reserved. And your reception can be more efficiently organised if you reserve in advance.

We recommend reserving your kayaks 3 to 5 days in advance, particularly in the case of groups. This does not mean no kayaks will available if you reserve the day before. This is just a precaution to be sure we have the number of kayaks you require. In the event of any unforeseen circumstances you can always cancel your reservation by telephone on 0032 61 50 13 87 (between 9.30 am and 6 pm) or by e-mail.

If you cannot make it for some reason, please get in touch with us as soon as possible to cancel your reservation. This may be done by telephone on 0032 61 50 13 87 (between 9.30 am and 6 pm) or by e-mail at info@kayakslavanne.be. But please let us know.

No, it is a quiet river that is accessible to young and old alike. Thanks to the unspoiled nature, the countryside is quite wild but the Semois river is safe, even for beginners

De Semois is not dangerous, it is even a quite calm river.

We consider the experience easier and more enjoyable from 2 years old but there aren’t any official rules about the minimum permitted age. On-the-spot, we have fitting life jackets for children.

Yes, we do have a few second-hand kayaks to sell . They are still in a good condition for use and are sold with light sports paddles.

Yes, you will be able to have a picnic during your kayak journey down river. The Walloon Region authorities have provided special boarding and landing areas for this purpose. You will see them marked along the river by the following signs:  Embarcadere debarcadere officiel pour les kayaks     embarcadere debarcadere officiel kayak a droite

If you do not have a picnic with you, each official area offers opportunities to obtain refreshments: small restaurants, fried food establishment, pizzeria,…

Be sure not to leave any waste in order to protect the site’s beautiful and natural setting.

We advise you not to stop elsewhere to picnic under the risk of a fine imposed by the Wallon Region authorities.

Yes, all our kayaks are comfort models, featuring a support for your back to ensure you enjoy the best possible kayaking experience.

Yes, we have family canoes to accommodate 2 adults and 1 child under 6 years of age.

If all our family canoes have been taken, we can provide a foam pillar so a child under 6 can travel with his/her parents.

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No, you can choose between single or double-seated kayaks (where it is possible to accommodate a small child under six years of age). The Walloon Region authorities also restrict the number of people travelling by watercraft to a maximum of 3.

We open at 9.30 am because you are not allowed take a trip on the Semois river before this time. The fixed times set by the Walloon Region authorities are as follows:

  • From 16 March to 15 June: between 9.30 am and 7 pm.
  • From 16 June to 15 October: between 9.30 am and 8 pm.
  • From 16 October to 15 March: between 9.30 am and 5 pm.

You can pay in cash (preferably) or by bankcard before setting off in the kayak.

There are several options:

    • Cash (preferably).
    • Bankcard.

There is no charge for children under 6, whereas the rate for children aged 6 and over is the same as for a paying person. Enfant de moins de 6 gratuit

Yes, the river water level permitting, we are open every day between 15 March and 15 November.

When you reserve online, you are sent an automatic e-mail summarising (please check your details) and acknowledging receipt of your request. After your request has been manually processed, it will be confirmed as soon as possible by e-mail (generally less than 24 hours).

You should check your “junk” e-mail box. Or you may have entered the wrong e-mail address. If you still cannot find any trace of the copy of your request, please get in touch with us by e-mail (info@kayakslavanne.be) or telephone (0032 61 50 13 87 – between 9.30 am and 6 pm).

No, with us you do not have to worry about any surprises: our rates cover everything!

  • Comfort kayak model.
  • Loan of watertight buckets.
  • Loan of a well-fitting life jacket.
  • Transport

Once you have reached us (Kayaks La Vanne – Rue Léon Henrard, 10 – 5550 Alle-sur-Semois), we either drive you upstream to Poupehan to start the Poupehan-Alle down-river journey , or we come to collect you after your 7 (Alle-Vresse), 12 (Alle-Membre) or 20 km (Alle-Bohan) kayak trip,  to take you back to your starting point.