Dordogne River
Dordogne River
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
62 reviews
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travlinmom1429
Los Angeles, CA152 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
We canoed 9 miles from Vitrac to Beynac in mid September. The river has very little flow so we had to paddle the entire way. My husband is quite strong and between the 2 of us, it got quite tiring. I would recommend doing a shorter trip that includes views of Castelnaud and Beynac. That said, it is definitely a lovely experience and I would recommend it.
Written September 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martine T
Carennac, France94 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Great cruise on the AmaDolce from Bordeaux, sailing on the Dordogne and the Garonne rivers. Lots of excursions visiting wineries and tasting great wines, from Saint Emilion to Graves and Medoc. Exceptional food, wines and service on board.
Written August 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
curiousape
Paris2 contributions
Aug 2011
We are a family of four and wanted to take our two daughters, aged 7 and 8, on a three day canoeing trip down the Dordogne, camping as we went. It was beautiful, at times tiring as water levels were very low so the current was sluggish, and at times busy with armadas of similar canoe groups making the same trip. However, early in the morning and late in the evening it was magical. To spend hours paddling gently on the crystal clear water ( with occasional swims), over shoals of fish, and past herons, egrets and frequent king fishers was a joy. The thick forest gives way to cliffs and castles perched above the stream.
We used a company called COPEYRE, who are the biggest canoe providers and are awful, they and their staff treat clients as cattle to be milked. They were utterly unhelpful, unfriendly, and felt they were doing us a huge favour in allowing us to spend quite a lot of money with them.
They offered a 'wild' camp site, to experience the nature of the Dordogne without being stuck in the many French campsites with a million tents the size of suburban bungalows that dot the banks. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a very popular beach, crowded during the day with day trippers but lacking any sanitation, so the woods around had become a communal latrine, littered with toilet paper. All it needed was a small composting toilet, but one felt they were always looking for the cheapest option. Horrible
We used a company called COPEYRE, who are the biggest canoe providers and are awful, they and their staff treat clients as cattle to be milked. They were utterly unhelpful, unfriendly, and felt they were doing us a huge favour in allowing us to spend quite a lot of money with them.
They offered a 'wild' camp site, to experience the nature of the Dordogne without being stuck in the many French campsites with a million tents the size of suburban bungalows that dot the banks. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a very popular beach, crowded during the day with day trippers but lacking any sanitation, so the woods around had become a communal latrine, littered with toilet paper. All it needed was a small composting toilet, but one felt they were always looking for the cheapest option. Horrible
Written August 30, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
beaulieu65
La Tour-de-Peilz29 contributions
Aug 2011
We hired canoes for a trip on the Dordogne and enjoyed it so much we came back next week and hired kayaks.
There are a lot of companies offering canoe rentals - the one we chose had shaded parking, and the option for a 14km trip that went past most of the famous castles.
Saw birds, fish, dragon flies, kingfishers - stopped off for picnic on the way down. All very beautiful ! The river was wide, shallow and very peaceful.
They provide a watertight container which we were able to use to store towels, picnic and camera. Even though they say you should have closed shoes, we were happy in flip flops.
My 13 year old son was able to manage a single person kayak for the 14 km trip - which took us about 3 1/2 hours including picnic and ice cream stops.
http://www.canoedetente.fr/circuits.htm
There are a lot of companies offering canoe rentals - the one we chose had shaded parking, and the option for a 14km trip that went past most of the famous castles.
Saw birds, fish, dragon flies, kingfishers - stopped off for picnic on the way down. All very beautiful ! The river was wide, shallow and very peaceful.
They provide a watertight container which we were able to use to store towels, picnic and camera. Even though they say you should have closed shoes, we were happy in flip flops.
My 13 year old son was able to manage a single person kayak for the 14 km trip - which took us about 3 1/2 hours including picnic and ice cream stops.
http://www.canoedetente.fr/circuits.htm
Written August 8, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lv2travlChantilly
Chantilly, VA188 contributions
Jul 2011
My daughters picked up the brochure for Stand Up Paddle on the Dordogne river...and I thought "No Way am I doing that!" It turned out to be such a fun time! The owner, Francois, gave us a quick lesson on all the safety requirements and we were off, with him as a wonderful guide. Lest you think this sport is for the young and fit as the picture shows of my daughter, I was also able to do it....a fifty something couch potato who has no sense of balance. We all had such a wonderful time! It was so nice to be standing up going down the river...I felt like we could see so much; the picturesque village of La Roque-Gageac and beautiful Castelnaud. I must confess that I fell just once and the water was so clear and refreshing that it was a pleasure. This is the only company that does the Stand Up Paddle but they are very accessible to most of the tourist destinations along the Dordogne. His lovely wife, Nathalie , offers organic foods grown in her own garden. They were such welcome hosts and it was just a lovely experience!
Written July 13, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alison A
Melbourne, Australia1 contribution
Apr 2015 • Family
Does anyone know if it is possible to buy a canoe at the start of the Dordogne? We would like to canoe down it but want to take a couple of weeks, making the per-night rental unaffordable...
Written April 20, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lisaBorneo
The Hague, The Netherlands33 contributions
Apr 2011
We had wonderful food. We bought fresh produce at the markets in Saint Cyprien and Sarlat to take home and cook. We ate out at many small restaurants and had fresh, simple and delicious food, lots of local produce.
The air was so clean and fresh and clear it was a delight. The night skies were lovely. The sunsets stunning, many red skies at night and bright clear mornings.
The gardens smelled of lavender and rosemary. The bulbs were blooming.
Our children fought in the mazes of Marqueyssac with toy swords looking like charcters from Narnia. They tried on armour and chain mail at Castlenaud La Chapelle, ate sorbet and street food in the Medieval streets and tripped through the forests.
We had internet and cablein the gite but only used the former for an essay I had due (not planned to holiday with this duty but many illnesses and accidents delayed the task!) and the latter for the weather report.
We stayed at La Traille Haute in a simple lovely stone cottage. Upstairs a double and two singles and downstairs a living area, shower room/laundry and kitchen. A stone patio and private garden outside with a stunning view from which we could see the Dordogne Valley and Beynac. It was very private with a winding road up a hill and from the cottage we could take lovely walks into the forest or valley. Felicity was a lovely host, relaxed and helpful. It was a bargain at just over 300 euro including power and the extra bedding!!
I would highly recommend it for a charming and great value get away in one of the worlds most beautiful and interesting locations!
http://martindale.free.fr/
http://www.marqueyssac.com/
The air was so clean and fresh and clear it was a delight. The night skies were lovely. The sunsets stunning, many red skies at night and bright clear mornings.
The gardens smelled of lavender and rosemary. The bulbs were blooming.
Our children fought in the mazes of Marqueyssac with toy swords looking like charcters from Narnia. They tried on armour and chain mail at Castlenaud La Chapelle, ate sorbet and street food in the Medieval streets and tripped through the forests.
We had internet and cablein the gite but only used the former for an essay I had due (not planned to holiday with this duty but many illnesses and accidents delayed the task!) and the latter for the weather report.
We stayed at La Traille Haute in a simple lovely stone cottage. Upstairs a double and two singles and downstairs a living area, shower room/laundry and kitchen. A stone patio and private garden outside with a stunning view from which we could see the Dordogne Valley and Beynac. It was very private with a winding road up a hill and from the cottage we could take lovely walks into the forest or valley. Felicity was a lovely host, relaxed and helpful. It was a bargain at just over 300 euro including power and the extra bedding!!
I would highly recommend it for a charming and great value get away in one of the worlds most beautiful and interesting locations!
http://martindale.free.fr/
http://www.marqueyssac.com/
Written April 22, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wildrapid47
Surrey28 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
We booked a 5 hour trip from Argentat to Beaulieu sur Dordogne in low water conditions. ABC canoe (just to the right of the bridge in Beaulieu) were laid back and appeared disinterested in our business. Looking back I don't know why we bothered with them. They were late leaving the site to take us to the start. I am a very experienced kayaker but my wife is a beginner. Although I know the safety drill ABC gave no safety talk, no advice on any part of the river, did not size me for a paddle - they just gave them out irrespective of the size of person. The double canoe was very heavy, let in water and as there was no self baling facility and it kept filling up and we had to continually stop to empty it.
We enjoyed the river even in low water conditions but ABC (Saga) canoe were awful and I would not recommend using them.
We enjoyed the river even in low water conditions but ABC (Saga) canoe were awful and I would not recommend using them.
Written August 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tamvon
Southern Queensland, Australia96 contributions
Mar 2012 • Couples
We happened upon this area driving home from Paris to Spain taking the off-roads and smaller major roads. I know the area is very popular in the summertime with visitors but we drove through the area and stayed in Spring and it was just breathtaking and unintrusive. Fell in love with the area and the people as they are just so laid back and chatty. The lifestyle around the whole of the area is easy living and the River Dordogne is just one picture of beauty after another, always giving you something to be surprised about. It lifts the heart and soul standing by the banks and seeing it's majestic scenery. The villages that are peppered along it's banks are also something to see with each one being just as alluring as the last. We would stop the car where we could and walk down to the banks and explore like children trying to find treasure, skimming stones, following little brookes as far as we could. Loved it!
Written March 21, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MMCCHHotel
East Sussex, UK13 contributions
Aug 2012 • Family
Canoeing down the Dordogne is totally wonderful. But don't go with Copeyre. They are truly dreadful. Waiting for 2 hours, no safety instruction, useless and rude staff, don't even help you out of the water with your boat. Could not have been worse in any way. There's another family run company by a bridge (can't remember the name) who were so much better. So my recommendation is to look around, and go with anyone but Copeyre, But as a thing to do, canoeing the river is brilliant. Lovely clear water, not too busy, some lovely views, very calm. Loved it.
Written August 30, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thelma c
Worcester, United Kingdom
I would like to know if the canoeing is open during 1st week of june this year?
Written April 2, 2019
I would like to know where you got onto the boat and if it was a proper boat. I don't want to paddle a canoe.
Written January 28, 2017
I am going to the dordogne in June but will be taking my own kayak. Want to meander down the river for 2 days but just wondered if anyone knew of a train route that goes back up the river?
Written May 2, 2016
We are planning to spend 2 nights in the area of Sarlat la Caneda to visit Dordogone Valley one day and Rocamadour the other day. Traveling buy car September of 2016. Any advise how to plan our days to get maximum of our trip.
Written September 1, 2015
I will be going in mid may but as I am unable to get in a canoe is they another way of travelling the river, my husband, son and daughter in law will be going canoeing .
Written April 11, 2015
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