![]() Much as a dip in the pool is nice and refreshing, nothing beats a swim in the sparkling waters of the Dordogne. The river is one of the cleanest in Europe and offers reliably warm water especially in July and August. The Dordogne offers plenty of water-based activities including swimming, fishing and dozens of different water sports. If you can make it to Limeuil, the confluence of the Dordogne and Vézère offers great views of the two beautifully meandering across the floodplains in different directions.Īs the river enters the Gironde region, it receives the Isle at Libourne before flowing north-west to join the Garonne. The crowds fall behind past Château de Beynac and although the cloud-topping sights become fewer, the scenery remains just as gorgeous. However the river widens and the current eases in this section, making it much more suitable for first-timers, families and photographers looking for the perfect shot of provincial France.Īt Souillac, the river begins to wind round in s-shaped loops before being greeted by medieval fortresses and fantastic quayside villages sprinkled with cafés and restaurants like La Roque Gageac and Beynac-et-Cazenac. Higher up the valley, the river runs faster through the gorges and is ideal for experienced or daredevil canoeists. Plenty of beaches like those in Meyronne or Gluges often entice passers-by with their calm waters and vertiginous cliffs to stop off for a picnic or a snooze under the sun. The stretch between Saint-Sozy and Souillac flows past (or below) three gorgeous châteaux: Lanzac, Belcastel and La Treyne. Today, tourists can embark on replicas for an hour-long cruise at various places along the river, including Argentat and Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne.įor booking and information please contact the Tourist Office on +33 5 65 33 22 00. ![]() It would typically take around six days to descend the river between Argentat and Bordeaux , navigating through Beaulieu, Souillac, Beynac, Bergerac.and over two weeks to return upstream with animals (or men) often pulling the boats with ropes from the river banks. The boats would transport materials like wood and slate as well as salt and wine produced in nearby vineyards. Although the Dordogne's river trade and use of gabares soared in the 18th and 19th centuries, these traditional flat-bottomed boats were operated as early as the Middle Ages. It also served to connect populations living higher up the river in Auvergne and Limousin with those lower down in Bergerac and Bordeaux. ![]() ![]() Once a bustling commercial axe for the valley, the river was the most direct and safest way of circulating goods. The definitive guide to fishing in the Dordogne Valley.Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne Strawberry Festival.Rocamadour Classical Sacred Music Festival.Beers and Spirits made in the Dordogne Valley. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |