Canoeing
calviac VITRAC
THE PURE DORDOGNE
Explore the natural beauty of the Dordogne on our canoe trip from Calviac to Vitrac!
Glide along the calm waters of the river, admiring the picturesque scenery that surrounds you. With Canoës Loisirs, enjoy an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Périgord, between history, nature and adventure.
Book your canoe trip from Calviac to Vitrac now and let yourself be seduced by the magic of the Dordogne!
Canoeing Calviac - Vitrac
Explore the natural beauty of the Dordogne
Imagine paddling peacefully on the calm waters of the Dordogne, surrounded by green cliffs and picturesque villages. Let yourself be carried away by the current and admire the wild beauty of the region, far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Book now for a day full of discoveries and memories!
Canoe Calviac - Vitrac
Trip programme
Meet at 9.30am at our canoe base in Vitrac.
Distribution of equipment (canoes, lifejackets, paddles, waterproof containers) and recommendations.
Bus transfer to your chosen departure point:
From the CALVIAC slipway, the starting point for your nautical tribulations, you can see the Château de Fénelon (12th and 17th centuries), a listed historic monument, hidden in the woods on the other bank. Once the home of François Salignac de la Mothe Fénelon (1651- 1715), archbishop of Cambrai and author of "The Adventures of Telemachus", the Château combines the warlike character of the Middle Ages with Renaissance aesthetics.
As soon as you set off, it's advisable to join the opposite bank, to avoid the roll of stones on the right bank. For 2 to 3 km, the river gently sweeps you away...
Downstream, perched on its cliff on the left bank, the Château de Veyrignac; upstream of the château, an island where gravel is still extracted, in a wild setting of small lagoons, which was used as a backdrop during the filming of certain scenes in the film "D'Artagnan's Daughter", starring Sophie Marceau.
After about 30 minutes, you come to an islet. The current will take you to the left arm (the right is inaccessible). Be careful not to get carried away by the rock face on the left.
You've just driven 4.5 km... not bad!
Further downstream, in a wide curve to the right, the village of Groléjac has the sad distinction of having the ugliest bridge in the whole valley! This doesn't prevent the village from offering succulent river fish specialities, notably at the Hôtel du Pont on the left bank. There are only a dozen professional fishermen left in the Dordogne today.
Between the 2 bridges, you can see the Germaine flowing into the Dordogne. No need to worry, it's a regular occurrence: it's a tributary of Lac de la Mouline flowing through Groléjac. At this point, you've been on the water for about 1h40.
Here you are at the CARSAC boarding area on the right bank.
After a right-hand bend and a long straight stretch, you can see a low wall on your right pierced with small holes: these are bank swallow nests. At the bend, on the right bank, you can see the Enéa mingling with the Dordogne.
A slightly tricky section will take you to the right of an islet, so be careful as the trees can create a few difficulties along the descent.
Canoeing near the Cingle de Monfort gives you a close-up view of this great cliff above the Dordogne. Look at its high walls from the water and you'll understand just how impressive this natural site is. It's a really great experience for those who love canoeing and incredible views!
Château de Montfort occupies a strategic clifftop position. Its history is comparable to that of the Phoenix rising from the ashes: destroyed by Simon de Montfort, Lord at the head of a mercenary army in the 13th century, the château was repeatedly threatened by the royal army and finally spared. A long story...
Paddling a canoe near the Rocher de Caudon, an imposing rock formation overlooking the Dordogne, is a truly unique experience. Let yourself be enchanted by the splendor of the surroundings and the tranquility of this magical place...
A few paddle strokes later, after a right-hand bend, perched at the tip of the Vitrac Port cliff, you can admire a watchtower. From the 9th to the 12th century, the Normans reigned terror on all the rivers of France. To protect themselves from their barbarity, local residents took refuge in forts: the watchtower would sound the alarm in case of danger.
Here you are at the Canoe-Loisirs boarding area in VITRAC, before the bridge, on the left bank, at the wooden chalet.
The port of Vitrac, whose peyrat (port) can be imagined, reveals another history through its hotel activity: that of the Gabares. With the development of the wine trade to England during the Capetian-Plantagenet war, the need for wood to make barrels continued to grow. Boats soon began transporting this wood, creating a major trade route between the Auvergne and the Gironde.
Once you've arrived at our base at Canoe Loisirs, your canoeing adventure continues with a series of exciting options. Relax on our terrace, share your travel stories with other adventurers or enjoy a well-earned refreshment. With a friendly atmosphere and a team always ready to listen, your experience extends well beyond the waters of the Dordogne. Welcome to Canoe Loisirs, where every moment is a new adventure!
ADVENTUROUS BUT NOT RECKLESS
ESPECIALLY IN THE RAIN
Choose your MODIFIABLE ticket
Make sure you enjoy a ride in the beautiful Dordogne sunshine.
The only rule: give us 36 hours’ notice.
Save time on arrival
Be quickly taken care of by a member of the Yellow Team to minimize waiting times.
A walk in the sun
Modify your ticket up to 36 hours in advance to ensure a sunny ride.
Guarantee yourself a canoe
The Yellow Team guarantees the availability of canoes for all undated ticket holders.
RAISE THE VOICES OF CUSTOMERS: PADDLERS SPEAK OUT!
Find out what our delighted paddlers have to say about their experiences on the canoe trip between Calviac and Vitrac!
“A top team, we did the 9kms route, in peace and quiet, accompanied by dragonflies all along the way, and beautiful scenery. Thanks for the welcome.”
Annie Videau
September 2023
“A first for us canoeing on the Dordogne with my partner, my daughter and our little dog.
The staff are very pleasant and helpful, and the view from the snack bar is superb.
The Carsac Vitrac route is magnificent and accessible for beginners. The price is still very reasonable given the landscapes crossed and the pleasure felt.
A must for everyone and we’ll be happy to come back.
Valérie Hesperies
July 2023
Very nice 1st experience. A very warm welcome, perfect explanations, very well organized with a shuttle every hour for the return trip. 👍 Very good value for money. To be redone.
Blandine Boisnard
August 2023
Want to discover other routes
Explore new horizons! Discover our other canoe trips for varied adventures and breathtaking scenery along the Dordogne.
