Canoeing the Vézère: A Family-Friendly Dordogne Adventure

Canoeing the Vézère: A Family-Friendly Dordogne Adventure

Canoeing the Vézère: A Family-Friendly Dordogne Adventure

One of our favorite family-friendly outings in the Dordogne region of France is canoeing along the scenic Vézère River—an ideal mix of nature, history, and gentle adventure.

Start your day in Les Eyzies with a visit to the Museum of Prehistory, where you’ll discover fossils, prehistoric tools, and artifacts found along the very river you’ll be paddling that afternoon. 

Family Friendly Dordogne Museum of Prehistory Les Eyzies

French Museum of Prehistory in Les Ezyies before our canoe trip. 

From the museum, it’s just a short stroll to the always friendly and delicious Boucherie Chapoulie, the perfect stop to gather provisions for a riverside picnic. Their meats are locally cured, cheeses made nearby, and a complementary glass of cognac always seems to appear provided by the friendly and knowledgable staff. 

French Picnics Cave Exploration Canoeing Dordogne Vezere

So many things to choose from for our picnic. (Photo credit: Shasha)

With your picnic in hand, head to Canoë Vézère Univerland, the local canoe outfitter in Les Eyzies. It’s about a 10-minute walk north from the museum. We usually drive our car and enjoy the ample parking in the shaded field.

We chose Canoë Vézère Univerland for its gentle approach to canoeing the Vézère River. The Dordogne River is quite leisurely as well, yet sometimes it can become crowded with canoes. 

French Picnics Cave Exploration Canoeing Dordogne VezereReady for our adventure (Photo credit: Shasha)

Canoë Vezere Univerland offers a range of stable canoes and large kayaks (2, 3, 4-seaters) and takes care of all the logistics—from free parking to shuttle transfers to the launch site. A gentle descent on the Vézère lets you glide past verdant cliffs inhabited by our ancestors, under towering castles and lush greenery, with plenty of spots to pause and enjoy your picnic.

Of Note: 

  • There are several options for descent, in terms of time and distance. Some families opt for the 7-hour descent, but it might be a bit long with younger kids or even teenagers. My son and I opted to paddle on our own and chose the shortest descent of about 1.5 hours —and had a wonderful time.

    If you call ahead, you can arrange a private guide who will stop along the way for hikes and history. It doesn’t hurt to ask if there is a bilingual guide available.

    Listen to the local outfitter regarding water levels and recent rain. The Vézère in the summer is a deliciously slow paddle through some of the most beautiful countryside, but it’s always important to be aware of current local conditions.

    I made reservations easily online, or you may ask your hotel to do so. (Refer to outfitter links in the article.)

Photo credit: Canoë Family, Saint-Leon-Sur-Vezere

  • For variety, families might also enjoy Canoë Family in Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, which offers routes from 5 to 17 km, complete with picnic areas and flexible timing.
  • Or, the Dordogne river itself is a favorite with locals and tourists. Consider  launching from the river below the village of Domme, where outfitters like Canoës Loisirs provide leisurely floats past breathtaking villages and castles.

After your paddle, unwind in one of the charming riverside villages. Whether on the Vézère or the Dordogne, it’s the perfect way to spend a day outdoors with family and friends. 

Family Friendly Southwest France Dinner Chateau de Camon

Here, Evan and I are enjoying an incredible five-course dinner (with fries) at Abbaye-Chateau- Camon, the subject of my next blog on the many joys of the French countryside.  

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