Outdoors
Dordogne River Canoe Day
You paddle downstream below the hilltop bastide of Domme, past the cliff village of La Roque-Gageac and the châteaux of La Malartrie, Castelnaud-la-Chapelle and Fayrac, and finish below the castle at Beynac.
- Where
- Dordogne Valley, France
- Distance
- 16 km one way
- Time
- About 3 hours of paddling
The route
Dordogne descent from Vitrac to Beynac via La Roque-Gageac and Castelnaud.
Most people hire a canoe from a base at Vitrac, near Sarlat; Canoë Dordogne's base at Le Pont de Vitrac has free parking. Operators run a shuttle between Beynac and the start, with returns about every hour.
When to go
Hire bases open from spring to autumn; Canosphère, for example, opens from 15 April to 15 October.
Permits and fees
No permit is needed. Everyone must be able to swim 25 m and must wear a life jacket on the water at all times; hire companies supply jackets and set their own minimum ages.
Before you go
- Book online in summer and choose a departure time; the shuttle takes you to the start or brings you back from Beynac.
- La Roque-Gageac comes up after about 7 km and Castelnaud after about 10 km, handy places for a break.
- For a shorter day, stop at Castelnaud (12 km, about 2 hours from Vitrac).
- Some operators lend free waterproof containers for your things; ask when you book.
What to bring
- A buoyancy aid, worn rather than stowed
- A dry bag for your phone and keys
- Water and snacks
- Sun cream, a hat and sunglasses
- A warm layer, even on a hot day
Getting ready for it
Paddling works your back, shoulders and core more than your arms.
A few weeks of rows, pull-ups or pulldowns and some rotational core work will make a full day far more comfortable.
Staying safe
- Navigation on the Dordogne is banned when flows pass set limits, so check the weather and river levels before you set off.
- Check the wind and water forecast before launching.
- Tell someone your route and when you expect to be back.
Route details checked September 30, 2026 against canoes-loisirs.com, canoe-dordogne.fr, canoe-dordogne.fr, canoe-kayak-dordogne.com and guide-du-perigord.com. Rules and closures change, so check before you go.
