# Semois Kayaks

Hire en Poupehan

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/companies/semois-kayaks

Kayak and paddle board hire in Poupehan for descending the Semois from Bouillon or on short family stretches, depending on the water level.

Semois Kayaks hires kayaks in Poupehan, in the Semois valley, for descents of an hour up to a whole day, and also paddle boards. When the Semois runs low it proposes an alternative descent on the Chiers and the Meuse, at Pouru-Saint-Remy.

## Who they are

The company was founded by Robert in 2002 with a few boats, and today it hires kayaks for the stretch between Bouillon and Frahan, in the Belgian Ardennes. It works from Poupehan, a small village on the banks of the Semois, where it has free parking, changing rooms and a friterie for something to eat before or after paddling. It is open every day from 15 March to 30 October, provided the river allows.

## The routes and the shuttle

Poupehan–Frahan, 4 km, about an hour, family-friendly, from age 4; from €25

Bouillon–Poupehan, 16 km, about three and a half hours, the classic descent; from €30

Bouillon–Frahan, 20 km, about five hours, the whole valley; from €40, with a picnic

Multi-day descents, tailor-made

On the long descents you leave the car in Poupehan and a company shuttle takes you up to Bouillon; on the 20 km one, another picks you up at Frahan to return to Poupehan. If on the long descent you decide to stop at Poupehan, the difference is not refunded.

## Water level, equipment and safety

On the Semois the water rules. The Walloon Region bans navigation when the flow falls below 2.2 m³/s or exceeds 50 m³/s. In that case the company notifies you by email, lets you postpone or cancel at no cost and usually offers as plan B the descent of the Chiers and the Meuse, in France, of about two and a half hours. The state of the river is published on its website, in the Info Kayak section; it is wise to check it the day before.

There are one-, two- and three-seater kayaks; the three-seater is for carrying a child under one metre or a pet. Life jackets and waterproof bags are provided, although the company reminds you that the bags do not guarantee that nothing gets wet. Before setting out, the team explains the route and the rules: stay seated, keep your distance between boats, don't go near the swans, paddle in the middle of the river so as not to damage the banks and wear shoes, which are compulsory, because the stones cut. In the double kayak, the child sits in front and the adult steers from behind.

## Booking, payment and languages

You book online without paying in advance; for same-day departures you must phone +32 475 24 74 23. They also answer at info@semois-kayaks.be. You pay at the time, before setting out, and they ask for cash because in Poupehan there is little signal and card machines fail. Cancellation is free: by email the day before or by phone the same day. If you are late, call; after 20 minutes without news they may give your kayak to others. The website is in French, Dutch and English.

## What they run

- [Kayaking the Semois from Bouillon](https://www.geocalia.com/en/belgium/bouillon/things-to-do/semois-kayak), in Bouillon. Kayak descent of the Semois from Bouillon to Poupehan. 3 h 30. Also Poupehan–Frahan in 1 h, from age 4, and Bouillon–Frahan in 5 h; with low water, a descent on the Chiers and the Meuse

Independent companies: you book with them, on their terms. Prices are as they publish them and may change.

## Practical details

- Phone: +32 475 24 74 23
- Email: info@semois-kayaks.be
- Details checked on 12 November 2026.

## Contact

- Web: https://semois-kayaks.be/
- Coordenadas: 49.813, 5.011

## Preguntas frecuentes

### Can you descend the Semois all year?
From mid-March to late October, and only if the water level allows; with the river low the company suggests another river.

### From what age can children go?
On the short Poupehan to Frahan descent, from age 4.

### Can you pay by card?
They ask for cash, because the signal in Poupehan is poor.