Canoë Vacances

Who they are

A canoe and kayak hire base on the banks of the Dordogne, at Lespinasse, next to La Roque-Gageac, on the stretch of the Périgord Noir castle valley. According to its terms of sale, it is run by the company SAS RAW, based in Tamniès; the website does not say since what year the base has operated or who runs it. It has free shaded parking, a beach for swimming, a bar and a picnic area. It opens from April to September, from 9:00 to 19:00; it is now closed and announces reopening for spring 2027.

Routes

• La Roque-Gageac – Les Milandes, 10 km, about 2 h: the castles stretch, below Castelnaud and Beynac. €19 per person in a canoe, €21 in a single kayak.
• Carsac – La Roque-Gageac, 16 km, about 3 h: the Montfort meander and the view of Domme. €22 in a canoe, €24 in a kayak; the minibus leaves the base at 10:00, 11:15 and 14:00.
• Carsac – Les Milandes, 26 km, about 5 h: the whole castle valley.

The price includes the boat, life jacket, paddles, waterproof barrel and minibus transport. Under-12s who go as a third person in their parents' canoe pay half.

Multi-day trips

For those who want more, they organise descents of two to six days between Argentat and La Roque-Gageac, of 46 to 120 kilometres depending on what you choose, with a single rate of €20 per person per day. They include canoe, life jacket, paddle, waterproof barrel and minibus. You sleep at the riverside campsites, which according to the base do not require booking and usually welcome paddlers. They advise buying food and water before setting out, because many restaurants and campsite shops close out of season. They also offer, with the company Bike & Bus, a circuit combining hiking, mountain biking and canoeing.

Rules and safety

To hire you must be at least 5 years old, able to swim 25 metres and put your head under water, wear the life jacket and closed shoes without laces. The base recommends securing glasses, going down the middle of the river, passing well away from tree trunks, avoiding swimming areas, closing the barrels properly, carrying water and respecting the river's wildlife. The website does not say whether dogs are admitted.

Bookings and payment

You book online on the rates page. The booking is made on receiving the voucher and a confirmation arrives by email. What is paid in advance is a deposit and is not refundable, and prepaid bookings cannot be changed or cancelled; for the others you pay at the base. Note: they do not accept the French Carte Bleue; the website lists other international cards depending on the platform, so it is wise to confirm the means of payment. The website has English, Dutch and Spanish versions, although it does not say whether the staff speak Spanish.