Canoeing on the Dordogne River with Canoes Loisirs

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Embark on a captivating canoeing adventure down the picturesque Dordogne River, where history and beauty flow as effortlessly as the waters beneath your paddle.

Venturing down the serene waters while canoeing on the Dordogne River, I discovered a unique blend of natural beauty and historical richness that only this part of France offers.

With years of experience in semi-budget travel, I’ve honed the skill of uncovering the most valuable experiences that don’t break the bank, yet provide a wealth of memories.

I’m excited to share insights and tips from my expedition, ensuring you can make the most of your own adventure on the Dordogne.

Whether you’re navigating through its tranquil waters or exploring the charming villages along its banks, join me as I unravel the beauty and history of this picturesque region.

SBT Highlights

• Discover the enchanting blend of natural beauty and rich history while canoeing down the Dordogne River, surrounded by the stunning landscapes of South West France.
• Explore not-to-be-missed, picturesque fairytale villages and famous prehistoric sites, making your adventure through the Dordogne a memorable fusion of scenic beauty and historical exploration.
• Benefit from practical travel tips for a semi-budget adventure, including accommodation suggestions and essentials to carry, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable canoeing experience.

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Canoeing on the Dordogne River

The Dordogne River flows through the Dordogne Valley, in the beautiful South West of France, snaking through soaring limestone cliffs and ancient chateaus.

The thought of canoeing on the Dordogne River may seem like a fun and easy way to spend a day, but there are some things you need to know before you go.

You can even combine adventure with a stay in a chateau converted to a hotel along the way!

Whether you choose a half day or a full day trip, canoeing the Dordogne needs to be on your French holiday bucket list!

I’m here to tell you everything you need to know about canoeing on the Dordogne River. I’ll give you tips on what to bring, where to go, and how to have the best time possible.

Can you canoe on the Dordogne?

The short answer is: yes!

Canoeing on the Dordogne River is a popular tourist activity for a family holiday, and there are many companies that will rent you a canoe and provide shuttle service to and from your drop-off point.

Canoes Loisirs

As mentioned, there are many different companies that offer canoe rentals and shuttle service on the Dordogne River, but the canoe hire company that rose to the top in our research was Canoes Loisirs.

The location, features, route options, and price matched our needs.

Note: Canoes Loisirs also provides kayak services, if you’re looking for a kayak trip instead.

Canoës Loisirs has a base in Vitrac, which is located in the middle of the Dordogne River.

This is a good starting point, as there are several routes to choose from, beginning upstream or downstream from Vitrac.

There is a large car park at the Vitrac canoe base.

Canoes Loisirs provides life jackets for each member of your group, and we were able to rent a waterproof container for a small extra charge of 2 EUR (well worth the price!).

Beyond that, there are a few things to plan ahead and bring with you.

What to Bring on Your Canoeing Adventure

When canoeing on the Dordogne River, there are a few essential items you’ll need to bring with you.

Proper Clothing

As far as clothing goes, I recommend something similar to what you would wear for hiking.

Our family wore long-sleeved, quick-dry, sun protection shirts (mine was Eddie Bauer), as well as quick-dry, sun protection pants.

Wear comfortable shoes that can get wet, such as sandals or water shoes.

Avoid flip-flops, as they are difficult to paddle in and provide no support for your feet.

Hat and Sunscreen

There is nowhere to hide from the sun when you’re on the river, so be sure to wear a hat and apply sunscreen liberally.

The Dordogne River is located in the south of France, where sunny days abound, and the sun can be quite strong.

Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to all visible skin.

Consider things you might not normally think about.

Does your footwear cover your entire foot?

Do your pants completely cover your ankles when you’re sitting in the canoe?

Food and Water

Make sure to pack plenty of snacks and water for your canoe trip.

Canoeing can use up a good bit of energy, so you’ll want to make sure you have enough food fuel.

Although there are supposedly snack bar stops along the way on the river bank, we didn’t easily spy any snack bars.

When we got a little hungry, we created our own little picnic area.

We just stopped our canoes right in the middle of a still section of the river, got our snacks out of the waterproof bin, and took a little break.

Bringing a picnic lunch is also an option, as there are many beautiful places to stop and eat along the way, on the banks of the Dordogne.

This might also take more prep work, use up more space in your waterproof bin, and take a longer chunk of time.

As for drinks, water is essential. Bring water for everyone in your group.

Waterproof Phone Pouch with Lanyard

Documenting your Dordogne canoeing adventure is a must, so having a way to keep your phone safe and dry is essential.

I found a waterproof phone pouch that worked great. It has a lanyard, so you can wear it around your neck, and it also has an air pocket that helps it float.

This way, if you happen to fall in (I’m not saying it will happen, but just in case), your phone should be safe!

When canoeing on a warm day, getting splashed on purpose feels really good. Your phone will need protection from that too!

What is the best route for canoeing on the Dordogne River?

Canoes Loisirs offers several different routes on the Dordogne River.

All routes are picturesque, as the area is home to clifftop castles and some of the most beautiful villages of France.

This section of the river is calm and perfect for a pleasant day on the river at any canoeing experience level.

The biggest difference between each option is the distance and time it will take you to complete the route.

Here are the options:

• 25 km (Carsac to Beynac) – 4 hours, 30 minutes
• 19 km (Calviac to Vitrac) – 3 hours, 30 minutes
• 16 km (Vitrac to Beynac) – 3 hours
• 12 km (Vitrac to Castelnaud) – 2 hours, 30 minutes
• 9 km (Carsac to Vitrac) – 2 hours

We chose the middle option, the 16 km route from Vitrac to Beynac.

Since the canoe base is at Vitrac, we entered the river right there.

On our excursion, we floated past the steep cliffs and scenic landscapes of Domme, La Roque-Gageac, Castelnaud, and Beynac, all of which are officially listed as Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (the most beautiful villages of France).

They are all small villages, and they are all fun to explore.

Upon exiting the river at Beynac, Canoes Loisirs employees were there to meet us, take our canoes, and bus us back to our car at Vitrac.

It’s quite a well-oiled operation.

We were on the water by 11:00 a.m.

We paused for a few minutes to eat our snacks around 12:15 p.m.

We hustled to make it to the 2:00 p.m. bus back to the canoe base.

It was constant work to make it to our end point in the 3-hour estimated time period.

If we hadn’t made the 2:00 p.m. bus, we would’ve had to wait until the 3:00 p.m. bus.

So, choose your route according to the time you have available, how hard to want to paddle your canoe (you set your own pace), and then add a little extra to your time estimate.

You could even plan to spend a full day on the river!

Tips for Having the Best Time Possible

Canoeing on the Dordogne River is a great way to see the sights of the Dordogne region of France.

To have the best Dordogne canoe trip, I would recommend doing the following:

• Start earlier in the day to beat the heat and maximize your day.

• Use the restroom at the canoe base before you set out.

• Be ready to paddle your canoe down the Dordogne, as the flow of the water is not fast. We initially thought our whole family of four would be in one canoe. I thought I could rely on my husband’s strength to help propel us down the river. As it turned out, our kids were too big for our family to fit in a 4-person canoe. We ended up with two 2-person canoes (no change in price for this switch). This did mean, of course, that my arms, shoulders, and body got a 3-hour workout that I wasn’t quite expecting.

• Make a reservation ahead of time. At the time of booking, indicate how many are in your group, their ages, how many canoes you need, and if you’d like to rent a waterproof container.

• Keep track of the weather leading up to your canoe day. We asked and were able to canoe a day earlier than our reservation, due to potential rain. Canoes Loisirs was very accommodating, but it was also toward the end of the summer months, and they probably weren’t sold out.

More About The Most Beautiful Villages of France

Before and/or after your canoeing trip, you could explore more of the most beautiful villages of France by car or foot.

This is the best way to see the inside of the castles and to explore the villages, as there are often steps involved in getting to different vantage points.

Through the narrow streets, you can view the half-timbered houses that make up much of the architecture in each medieval village.

These are some of the most beautiful and well-preserved villages in all of France, which is saying a lot!

While canoeing on the Dordogne River provides great views from water level, ascending to the medieval fortresses and magnificent chateaux, you will find some of the best views of the Dordogne from above.

There are also many famous prehistoric sites in the area, and if you’re looking to spend even more time in the Dordogne, seek out a luxury hotel or chateau for a semi-budget lodging splurge!

SBT Summary: Canoeing on the Dordogne River with Canoes Loisirs

If you’re looking for a fun and picturesque way to see the South West of France, canoeing on the Dordogne River is a must.

You can choose from several different routes, depending on how much time you have available.

Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks, as well as a waterproof phone pouch in case of accidental dunkings!

Most of all, enjoy the beautiful scenery, discover your favorite fairytale village, and get ready to paddle your way through history.

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