Summer activities in Méribel : white-water rafting on the Isère takes centre stage

When the snow melts, the Allues Valley shows another face : the streams swell, the alpine
pastures open up and Méribel becomes a vast natural playground at the heart of the 3 Valleys. One
experience leads the summer season : rafting on the Isère, from our
base in Macôt-la-Plagne, on one of the finest rafting rivers in France — just
minutes from the resort.

Méribel in summer : the wild side of the 3 Valleys

Méribel is famous for its ski area at the heart of the 3 Valleys, the largest linked
ski domain in the world. But from spring onwards, the Allues Valley reveals another,
greener and wilder identity : spruce forests, high-altitude lakes, peaks that stay snow-capped late
into the season and torrents tumbling down towards the Tarentaise.

For anyone looking for summer activities in Méribel, the choice is wide : white-water
sports, hiking, paragliding, mountain biking, via ferrata. At Takamaka Méribel, creators
of emotions since 1994, we have built our summer season around one common thread : bringing the
Isère to life. And it all starts just minutes from the resort, at our Macôt base.

Rafting on the Isère, from our base in Macôt

Our rafting base sits in Macôt-la-Plagne, right on the banks of the Isère,
just minutes from Méribel. It’s the perfect starting point : changing rooms, neoprene wetsuits, helmets
and life jackets provided, a safety briefing by state-qualified guides, then you’re on the
water within minutes. No long drive, no complicated logistics.

And what a river ! The Isère in the Tarentaise is regarded as one of the finest rafting rivers
in France : it is the river of the Rafting World Championships and French
Championships. You climb aboard a raft of 6 or 8, paddle in hand, and ride the rapids : the
Isère alternates boiling technical sections and calmer stretches where you catch your
breath, take in the scenery, sometimes dive in to cool off. Physical without being exhausting, intense yet
accessible : the very definition of a shared adventure.

💧 Good to know : the Isère is fed by the glacier melt of the high Tarentaise. Its
flow stays generous all summer, guaranteeing lively descents from June to September.

The Intégrale : up to 23 km, the ultimate run

This is our pride and joy : the Intégrale, one of the most beautiful and
longest rafting descents in France, with up to 23 kilometres of river.
Where most runs end after a few kilometres, the Intégrale strings together rapids, gorges and high-mountain
landscapes over a distance few rivers in France can offer.

It’s a genuine expedition : you leave the Macôt base and descend the Isère for several
hours, through ever-changing scenery. The rapids come one after another ; you learn to read the river,
anticipate the waves, sync up as a team. For thrill-seekers who want more than a simple taster,
it’s a must-do at least once. Explore all the Isère’s routes and profiles on
an-rafting.com, our dedicated
rafting brand, and the other rivers of
rafting in Savoie.

Routes for every level

You don’t need to be a seasoned athlete to climb aboard. We offer several formats depending on your mood and
experience :

  • The discovery run — short and playful, perfect for a first
    time, with family or friends. Guaranteed thrills, suitable from the teenage years.
  • The sporty run — longer, more rapids, for those who want to
    paddle hard and link the technical sections.
  • The Intégrale (up to 23 km) — the ultimate descent on the
    Isère, for motivated groups craving the big adventure.

In every case you are supervised by professional guides who adapt the pace to the group.
Equipment is provided and safety always comes first. See the full line-up of our
summer activities in Méribel
to plan your day.

White water differently : hydrospeed, canoe-raft & canyoning

Has rafting given you a taste for water ? The Tarentaise has more cards to play. Hydrospeed
(white-water swimming) puts you at river level : with a float, fins and a reinforced wetsuit, you take
on the waves up close. The canoe-raft, more nimble, is paddled in pairs or small groups for
a playful descent.

Canyoning takes you into the massif’s secret gorges : jumps into turquoise pools,
natural slides, abseils alongside waterfalls. It’s the perfect activity for hot summer days, in the cool
shade of the 3 Valleys canyons. We cover it in detail in our article on
canyoning in Méribel.

Take to the sky : paragliding, via ferrata, mountain biking

Méribel in summer isn’t only about white water. To vary the pleasures :

  • Paragliding — a tandem flight above the Allues Valley, to see
    the 3 Valleys from above. Discover it in our article on
    paragliding in Méribel.
  • Via ferrata — a cabled vertical route, between hiking and
    climbing, for safe thrills facing grand landscapes.
  • Mountain biking & downhill MTB — from the bike park to the
    alpine trails, the area is made for two wheels, under your own steam or gravity-style.

The beauty of a resort like Méribel ? Everything is within reach. You can link
rafting in the morning and paragliding in the afternoon, or slot in a canyoning day between
two hikes — enough to fill a long weekend or a whole week without ever getting bored.

Seminars, stag/hen parties & groups around rafting

Rafting is also the ultimate team activity : you paddle together, laugh together, run
the rapids together. That’s why it sits at the heart of our group formats :

And to extend the adventure elsewhere in the Tarentaise, explore the
Takamaka Tarentaise hub
and sister resorts such as La Plagne.

Practical info & booking

  • Season : rafting and white water from late May/June to September, depending on river flow.
  • Starting point : our base in Macôt-la-Plagne, on the banks of the Isère, minutes from Méribel.
  • Provided : neoprene wetsuit, helmet, life jacket, paddle + qualified-guide supervision.
  • Bring : swimwear, a towel, shoes that can get wet, and the urge to get soaked !

Ready to ride the Isère ?
Book your rafting, hydrospeed or canyoning trip from our Macôt base in just a few clicks.
Book my rafting trip →

Frequently asked questions

What is the flagship summer activity in Méribel ?

Rafting on the Isère from our Macôt base, followed by hydrospeed and canyoning :
these are our summer best-sellers, just minutes from the resort.

Why go rafting on the Isère ?

The Isère in the Tarentaise is one of the finest rafting rivers in France : it
is the river of the World and French rafting championships. It also offers the Intégrale, up to 23 km,
one of the longest descents in the country.

Do I need to know how to swim to go rafting in Méribel ?

Simply being comfortable in water is enough : the life jacket keeps you afloat
and a qualified guide is with you at all times. The discovery run is open to beginners.

Where is the rafting base ?

In Macôt-la-Plagne, right on the banks of the Isère, just minutes from Méribel. The
exact meeting point is confirmed when you book.