Canoeing Holidays in France

Float along beautiful south-west France, where pink limestone cliffs, medieval towns and fortified castles await. Our canoeing holidays in France are great fun and ideal for families with teenage children. Gentle paddling by day, quality hotels by night, and various cycling options too!

Our canoeing holidays primarily take place on the Dordogne, a river in a county of the same name. The inviting warm waters of the Dordogne are visited by many canoers each year, with expertise that ranges from beginner to advanced levels. If you're a novice, we'll take care to ensure you know how to handle the canoe before you start your adventure.

You'll use your new mode of transport to explore the traditional villages, chateaux, vineyards and caves dotted throughout this region. You can take your pick between a holiday where you'll reach each destination primarily by canoe, or one where it is one activity among several others.

For further details about our canoeing holidays in France, simply browse the great packages we offer below. You can also take a look at our activities section for further information about how our canoeing holidays work. See our France page for further examples of exciting trips you can take with us.

What can I see on a canoeing trip in the Dordogne?

Grottes de Lacave

Go deep into the hillside on an electric train and discover the wonders of 12 limestone caverns. But this isn't just any cave; one of its caverns glows radiantly with ultraviolet light!

The Perigord Noir

So named for the dense oak forest that darkens the valleys of this region, the Perigord Noir is full of dramatic, sweeping scenery. While canoeing on the Dordogne, you'll marvel at the ancient castles atop limestone cliffs and serene villages stacked up on cliffsides from riverbanks. Much of the Hundred Years War played out here, and the many fortified castles are a testament to this.

Sarlat-la-Caneda

The Perigord Noir's main town, Sarlat's medieval architecture is so well preserved that it's often used as a filming location. It was built around a sizeable Benedictine monastery and has seen a lot of history, affected by the French Revolution, the Great Plague and the Hundred Years War.

Martel

The medieval 'town of seven towers' cuts an unmissable shape for itself in the skyline. Martel became an important source of truffles in the 19th century and they were transported out to other regions via steam train. You can relive this history from a sightseeing steam train that trundles along the cliff edge. Come at the right time and you might even be able to watch the traditional truffle market take place.