Sports & Outdoors

Canoeing in the Dordogne

For experienced canoeists and beginners alike, plan an exciting trip to the Dordogne to experience the best French waters.

Published in: Sports & Outdoors

An idyllic corner of Southwest France, Dordogne is a wonderful place for canoeists or those looking to try a new place to explore the waters of France. Find places to hire boats, visit, and see traditional French culture.

Travelling to the Dordogne from Calais

With Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, you can get from Folkestone to Calais in just 35 minutes and from there, Dordogne is around an 8-hour drive. Pack up the car with all your canoeing gear and some friends and plan your own roadtrip. You can sample some other rivers and canals along the way, try our Canal Cruising in France guide to help you.

Dordogne canoe trips & canoe rental

Try any of the following for hiring a canoe and equipment or taking well-guided tours around the Dordogne. Soon you’ll be out on the water and soaking up everything this beautiful part of rural France has to offer.

Red canoe on a river drifting under a bridge next to a typical French town

Glide past typical French towns

Canoe Dordogne

Starting from the base in La Roque-Gageac, you can choose from 5 different routes that will cost you no more than €26 per person depending on the length. You will see some beautiful flora and fauna, plus stops are mapped out for eating and seeing various towns and villages.

Canoe sans Frontière

Canoe Without Borders offers circuits that show you castles, picturesque architecture or offer a chance to discover your own little slice of French culture out on the water. With discounts for those under 12, you can choose between kayak or canoe too.

Canoe Soleil Plage

Offering three canoe circuits, you can see the cliffs and châteaux of the Dordogne valley up close and personal. Prices range between €14 to €25 but are updated annually, so be sure to check ahead of booking.

canoes on a wide river heading towards a stunning village set into a rocky hill

Take your canoe to La Roque Gageac, one of France's most beautiful villages by the Dordogne River

Aquafun Canoes Dordogne

With an emphasis on fun, you can choose not only a kayak or canoe, but also pedalos or paddleboards to get out on the water. The base at Limeuil (listed as one of the most beautiful villages of France) is on the confluence of the rivers Vézère and Dordogne. Free parking facilities and a beach to relax on after any of your adventures make this a wonderful option for renting canoes.

Pessac sur Dordogne

Offering routes and circuits for all levels, even the little ones, take a canoe or kayak out for as little as €14 for adults and €10 for children. This is a great option for larger groups as you can take more canoes out at a time than other locations.

A river running past lush greenery and a small picturesque town with a turreted building

The town of Saint-Léon is a must-see along the River Vézère

Vézère River routes

This is a narrow and wild river, perfect for a canoe or paddle trip. Rent a boat and starting from Montignac, discover the Renaissance Castle of Losse, the village of Saint Léon sur Vézère, (listed as ‘Most Beautiful Villages of France’), the majestic troglodytic city of Roque Saint Christophe, and cliffs of the Grotte du Grand-Roc.

Canoeing in the Dordogne around Bergerac

Plan yourself a relaxing trip to the Dordogne with our guide to the very best sites and locations. Float past the Abbey of Brantôme on the river Dronne or stop at Périgord Pourpre to sample some of the famous local wines. The main town here is Bergerac, known for its old town’s half-timbered buildings and the castles that dot the surrounding countryside. The Dordogne River runs through the city and highlights include Cloître des Récollets, a 17th-century cloister and the Musée de Tabac documenting the history of tobacco.

An impressive French castle led up to with a driveway with purple and yellow flowers

Make plans to stop at places like the Château de Monbazillac in Bergerac

Start your Dordogne canoeing adventure with Eurotunnel Le Shuttle

With Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, you can get from Folkestone to Calais in just 35 minutes and from there, Dordogne is for the taking. Book your next trip today.

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Pessac sur Dordogne

Canoeing in the Dordogne

Travelling to the Dordogne from Calais