Do you dream of discovering the Dordogne river by canoe? But with its 483 km in length and 6 departments crossed, knowing where to start can be a real headache! We guide you through the particularities of the most beautiful sections.
From Argentat to Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne : sail in Corrèze
Lovers of wild nature will find what they are looking for from Argentat-sur- Dordogne or its surroundings, in Monceaux for example. Corrèze, and therefore the upper part of the Dordogne , offers particularly green landscapes. This is the least frequented part of the river.
This descent also offers some sensations with two rapids . The Malpas rapid is located between Argentat and Monceaux. For those who prefer to avoid it, leaving from Monceaux will be preferable. There will only be the Battut rapid to pass, easier than the Malpas.
To end this adventure in the great outdoors, you will arrive at the foot of the village of Beaulieu-sur- Dordogne , classified among the “Most Beautiful Villages in France”. Beaulieu is a little haven of peace to spend the rest of the day or even an evening.
> Discover the routes offered by Safaraid on the Dordogne between Argentat and Beaulieu
Between Vayrac and Souillac, the most beautiful canoe route on the Dordogne... in the Lot
Once you have passed Beaulieu-sur- Dordogne , you will arrive in the Lot where cliffs and castles stand out on the banks. Architecture and landscapes typical of this region all along, it's our favorite route!
numerous cliffs from your canoe-kayak, including those of the Copeyre belvedere or Gluges with its beach just opposite for a well-deserved picnic break. You will see between the trees the well-hidden castle of Mirandol and other bourgeois houses around the corner. At the end of the descent, arriving at St-Sozy, you can visit the village with its square and its small church while waiting for the return bus to Vayrac. The Mijoteurs boutique just opposite will also be a good way to allier relaxation and indulgence.
If you go from St-Sozy to Souillac, then you won't be able to miss the three castles of this flagship descent.
The Belcastel castle at the Lacave caves, the Treyne castle and its “Relais et châteaux” hotel and the Lanzac castle. The little extra? At Lacave, you can enter a small cave with your boat. A real moment of freshness during your descent.
To enjoy the cliffs and castles and feel alone on the water, we recommend renting a Vayrac in St-Sozy . The further downstream you choose a route, the busier the Dordogne will be. This is why we recommend that you choose a descent between Vayrac and Souillac if you want tranquility and castles during your canoeing day.
Further down the river, in the Dordogne, you will also find magnificent villages and castles, but the river there will be much busier.
Discover the Périgord and the Dordogne by canoe-kayak
If you want to go down to the part after Souillac, you can choose a rental from remarkable villages like La-Roque-Gageac, Vitrac or even Beynac. The landscapes that you can see from your canoe-kayak are varied and breathtaking ! You will find the cliffs and castles of the Lot with a few more typical villages.
Combine Corrèze, Lot and Dordogne during a canoeing trip
If choosing your descent is too complicated, why not opt for an itinerant canoe-kayak hike on the Dordogne ? From 2 to 7 days, you can go on an itinerant hike to discover Corrèze, Lot and Dordogne . Whether in adventure and bivouac mode or in comfort mode with camping and luggage transport, Safaraid offers a tailor-made offer for all your nature stay desires.
