An hour from the Repaire, the Dordogne offers one of the loveliest river descents in France: calm waters, a landscape of castles and ochre cliffs, and swimming spots along the way. No need to be sporty — the river does the work.
The classic route (and the most spectacular) starts from Vitrac or La Roque-Gageac and runs 10 to 15 km down to Beynac or Castelnaud. Allow 2 to 4 hours depending on your stops. Several hire companies include a shuttle back (Canoë Vacances, Canoës Loisirs Périgord and Couleurs Périgord among them).
What to bring:
- Swimwear + closed sandals (the pebbles are sharp)
- Sun cream in a waterproof barrel
- A picnic for the halfway stop (a cabécou goat’s cheese sandwich and a bottle of Pécharmant is the winning combination)
Along the way: the castles of Beynac, Castelnaud and Marqueyssac (with its hanging gardens), and La Roque-Gageac, an official “most beautiful village of France” clinging to its cliff.
Season: May to late September. Avoid weekends in July and August (very busy). Ideal: a Tuesday in June, on the water by 10am.
