Les Bateliers des Gorges du Tarn

Who they are

For centuries the boat was the only way to get around the Tarn canyon: from the 14th century, with no roads, the locals used it to go from one village to another, carry livestock, bring up grapes from the vineyards and fish with nets. In the late 19th century, the Paris–Béziers railway brought the first tourists and, in 1875, the La Malène boatmen began taking them down the river. When the road reached the gorges, in 1905, the boat ceased to be essential, but the trade continued. In 1952 the boatmen stopped working for the hotels and founded their own cooperative, a SCOP that still operates: today it has eight permanent staff and reaches 23 in summer, all from the valley. The boats are still rowed and poled.

The descent

An hour by boat, about 8 km, through Les Détroits, the narrowest stretch of the gorges, to the Cirque des Baumes, with the boatman telling of the river's fauna, flora and history. Each boat carries 4 to 6 people depending on the water level and sails when 4 adult places are paid for; if there are fewer of you, they fill up with other customers. You return by minibus, about 20 minutes. It runs all summer, even if the river drops. No physical effort or swimsuit is needed: you do not get wet.

Price and bookings

€27 per person; for children and groups, ask. You book by phone at the earliest 48 hours ahead, so the boatmen can check the day's weather, and pay at the stone kiosk on the square, by card, cash or holiday vouchers. Turn up ten minutes beforehand. There is no minimum age: even babies go. If anyone in the group has special needs, say so when booking. The village car park, near the landing stage, is free, and on busy days another, private one opens.

Groups and schools

They receive groups of up to 65 people depending on the time of year, in several boats that leave the landing stage together; the group rate applies from 20 people, with a tailor-made quote. They work with schools, adapting the descent to projects on geography, heritage, fauna, flora or geology, and with associations, hiking and cycling clubs, large families and agencies. The descent is in French; other languages on request. The website has a Spanish version.