When the snow melts, the Tarentaise valley transforms: the Isère swells, the trails open up and
La Plagne becomes a giant natural playground. At the heart of this season, one experience stands out:
rafting from our base in Macôt-la-Plagne, on one of the most beautiful and longest
descents in France.
La Plagne in summer: a resort that never sleeps
La Plagne is known for its huge ski area and its Olympic bobsleigh track. But from spring onwards, the
Tarentaise reveals another identity, greener, more aquatic, more wild. Between 1,250 and
over 3,000 metres of altitude, the massif offers a rare contrast: glaciers as a backdrop, flowering
alpine pastures, steep gorges and, above all, a river full of character, the Isère,
flowing straight down from the peaks.
For anyone looking for summer activities in La Plagne, the choice is wide: white-water
sports, hiking, paragliding, mountain biking, via ferrata, not to mention the famous bobsleigh track open
in summer. At Takamaka La Plagne, creators of emotions since 1994, we built our summer
season around one common thread: bringing the Isère to life. And it starts just a few minutes from
the resort, at our Macôt base.
Rafting from our Macôt base
Our rafting base sits in Macôt-la-Plagne, right on the banks of the Isère, at
the gateway to the resort. It’s the ideal starting point: changing rooms, wetsuits, helmets and lifejackets
provided, a safety briefing by state-qualified guides, then onto the water within minutes.
No long drive, no complicated logistics: you’re paddling almost straight away.
Rafting is the activity everyone agrees on. You board a raft with 6 or 8 people, paddle in hand, and descend
the river to the rhythm of the rapids. The Isère in the Tarentaise alternates
technical, boiling sections and calmer stretches where you catch your breath, admire the
scenery, sometimes jump in to cool off. It’s physical without being exhausting, intense without being
inaccessible: the very definition of a shared adventure.
💧 Good to know: the Isère is fed by the melting glaciers of the high Tarentaise.
Its flow stays generous all summer, guaranteeing lively descents from June to September.
The Intégrale: up to 23 km on the Isère
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 routes stop after a few kilometres, the Intégrale strings together rapids, gorges
and high-mountain landscapes over a distance few rivers in France can offer.
In practice, it’s a genuine expedition: you leave the Macôt base and descend the
Isère over several hours, crossing ever-changing scenery. The rapids follow one another, you learn to
read the river, anticipate the waves, sync up as a team. Between two sporty sections, the valley turns
spectacular: rock faces, forests, snow-capped peaks in the distance. For thrill-seekers who want
more than just an introduction, it’s the experience to live at least once.
Explore all the routes and profiles of the Isère on
an-rafting.com, our dedicated
rafting brand, and discover the other rivers for
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
appetite and experience:
- The discovery run — a short, fun route, perfect for a first
time, with family or friends. Thrills guaranteed, accessible from your teens. - The sporty run — longer, more rapids, for those who want to
paddle hard and string together technical sections. - The Intégrale (up to 23 km) — the flagship descent,
for motivated groups craving the big adventure on the Isère.
In every case, you’re supervised by professional guides who adapt the pace to the group’s
level. Equipment is provided and safety remains the absolute priority. Discover the full range of our
outdoor activities in La Plagne
to plan your day.
White water differently: hydrospeed & 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: equipped with a float, fins and
a reinforced wetsuit, you take on the waves as close as possible to the current. Raw sensation and total
immersion guaranteed.
Canyoning takes you into the massif’s secret gorges: jumps into turquoise pools, natural
slides, abseils down waterfalls. It’s the perfect activity for hot summer days, in the cool shade of the
canyons. Like rafting, hydrospeed and canyoning are easy to book and led by our specialist instructors.
Take to the heights: paragliding, biking, bob & hiking
Summer in La Plagne isn’t only about white water. To vary the pleasures:
- Paragliding — a tandem flight above the valley, to see the
Tarentaise and Mont Blanc from above. - Mountain & electric biking — from the bike park to the
alpine trails, the resort is explored on two wheels, under your own steam or with assistance. - The bobsleigh track — the only Olympic track in France can also
be ridden in summer, for an express adrenaline rush. - Hiking — high-altitude lakes, glaciers and wildlife: routes for
every pair of legs, from family strolls to demanding summits.
The advantage of a resort like La Plagne? Everything is within reach. You can string together
rafting in the morning and paragliding in the afternoon, or fit a canyoning day between
two hikes. Enough to fill a long weekend or a whole week without ever getting bored.
Seminars, stag/hen & groups around rafting
Rafting is also the ultimate team-bonding activity: you paddle together, laugh together,
clear the rapids together. That’s why it takes centre stage in our group packages:
- For companies, a
corporate seminar in La Plagne
or team building activities
that unite teams through challenge. - For friends, a memorable stag or hen weekend: rafting, evening events and good
vibes.
And to extend the adventure elsewhere in the Tarentaise, explore the
Takamaka Tarentaise hub
and other resorts such as Méribel.
Practical info & booking
- Season: rafting and white water from late May/June to September,
depending on the Isère’s flow. - Departure point: Macôt-la-Plagne base, on the banks of the
Isère. - Provided: wetsuit, helmet, lifejacket, paddle + supervision by
qualified guides. - Bring: swimwear, towel, shoes that can go in the water, and the
desire to get wet!
Ready to descend the Isère?
Book your rafting, hydrospeed or canyoning from our Macôt base in just a few clicks.
Book my rafting →
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to know how to swim to go rafting in La Plagne?
Being comfortable in the water is recommended, but the lifejacket keeps you afloat and
the guide is present at every moment. Discovery rafting is accessible to non-experts.
What is the Intégrale?
It’s our longest descent on the Isère, up to 23 km, one of the most beautiful and
longest in France. A true rafting expedition reserved for motivated groups.
What is the minimum age to take part?
Discovery rafting is generally accessible from the teenage years; the sportier routes and
the Intégrale are aimed at an older audience. Please specify participants’ ages when booking.
Where is the rafting base located?
In Macôt-la-Plagne, right on the banks of the Isère, a few minutes from the La Plagne resort.