My son, 17 next year, is keen to take a friend on a 3/4 day kayaking trip in France next summer. He and I did the Ardeche from Vogue to St.Martin in stages this summer and he is fairly proficient so my wife and I are generally happy for them to go off on their own. Other than the Ardeche can anyone suggest any other rivers where they might be able to kayak down for a few days camping overnight.
Thanks.
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Thanks Val. It's in the early stages of planning at the moment. Their intention is to go on their own, as we will not be going to France next year. We would be happy for them to do so if it's planned well enough. Having said that one possibility is that I take them to France and bring them back. We did a couple of trips on the Tarn 3 years ago, wasn't sure that 3/4 day trips are available? Do you think the Dordogne might be suitable? I get the impression it is a bit 'tamer' than the Ardeche?
Another tame option would be the Ceze, just below the Ardeche.
For the Ardeche or the Ceze, I think you can get to Avignon on the Eurostar these days which would make things really easy and save you a trip over there.
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Thanks. I don't think they want too tame, a few rapids like those in the Ardeche would suit them. We wouldn't be happy for them to take on anything more dramatic than that though. Although it wouldn't be too much of a hardship to laze around in France for a few days the simpler option would be if they could get there themselves.
IMHO theyve done the best canoe route in France already.Some great canoe trips in Sweden if they love big open spaces.Take the mossie repellent though!!
There aren't any 'organised' three or four day trips on the Tarn - but if you have your own kayaks then you can do various sections, from right at the top of the Tarn Gorge near St Enemie, to the section beyond Millau where the Tarn is much 'tamer'. In high summer the water levels may not be so 'interesting' but earlier in the summer, after short periods of rain, then the rapids can be very 'white water'.
Some of the campsites will even organise taking your own equipment up river so that you can canoe/kayak back.
I think you can also canoe/kayak on various sections of the Verdon (but not right through the Gorge as far as I am aware).
The Ceze can be anything but tame in rain - we met some people this year who had been at a campsite along the Ceze and the water level had risen four and a bit metres in a few hours! Although for the most part it is a tame river, it does show another side sometimes.
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Thanks Val, they would be hiring when they get there. I think they would be going late july/august so river levels might be low, although I appreciate that these can change depending on the weather. Lots of research to do.
Somewhere, in the depths of my memory I've got a website about 'canoeable' rivers in France. I'll trawl through the old cogs tonight, and see what comes up!
The Tarn is a really lovely river to canoe down, and actually has quite a long stretch of 'navigable' river, so it might just be worth looking into websites dealing with canoeing in theTarn.
We found the Dordogne less than inspiring. It was our 'ambition' to canoe the Dordogne - and we did so this year, but found it a bit like the M25 compared to the Tarn and the Ardeche which can definitely be an adventure. We've still to do the Ceze, though that might be a trip for next year.
They may be better canoeing down the Ardeche again - solo (or rather duo) which with two teenagers would be rather good fun, I would have thought! My sons did the descents with us, in the past, and have now done it again several times on their own - and I'm sure I know which they would prefer!
Somewhere, in the depths of my memory I've got a website about 'canoeable' rivers in France. I'll trawl through the old cogs tonight, and see what comes up!
There is a national map showing all the canoable rivers in France and highlights which are tame (Class 1), moderate (Classes 2-3 and into which the Ardeche falls) and difficult (Classes 4-6). It also indicates routes with noteworthy qualities as to nature, sport and tourism.
IGN Carte Touristique 905 - "Canoe-Kayak En France". Costing €6.50 this Summer.
VB
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Thanks VB and Val. I found that site this weekend after you suggested it in your last post. Lots of ideas there. Have you any experience of the Allier?
Interesting that it doesn't include the Lot .... lots (ouch!) of it is very canoeable.
And so are the various canals ... though a different sort of experience as all motion is by your effort.
We've used: Gave, Lot, Dordogne, Tarn, Ardeche, Drome, Sorgue, Vezere, Charente, Garonne, the Sevre and the multiplicity of canals in the Venise Verte and the Midi Canal. All were fun in different ways ... I just love being in a boat!
This year we'll explore some of the Dronne and the Aveyron, before heading to the lakes west of Salamanca.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Kayaking trip advice
