Les Eyzies · Campagne · Le Bugue · Limeuil
Canoeing on the Vézère
The Vézère is the shaded river of the Périgord Noir: limestone cliffs, tunnels of greenery, a waterfall, and calm water with no rapids. We paddle its last 18 kilometres, from Les Eyzies down to the Limeuil confluence, in four routes from 1h30 to a full day.
The Vézère at Le Bugue
Four routes, one river
The Vézère routes
Two start from the Le Bugue base, two from the Limeuil base. Either way, the minibus takes you up to the starting point and you paddle back down with the current to the base, to your car.
Adult price, children under 12 half price, kayak €2 more per person. Departure times change with the season and are shown when you book.
Route by route
What you will see on the water
Le Bugue → Limeuil, 7 km, 1h30
The easy-going one, and the easiest of the four. You paddle through the village of Le Bugue, then the Vézère meets the Dordogne at the Limeuil confluence, with its beach for a swim at the finish. Perfect for a short half-day with children. On Tuesdays in July and August, market day in Le Bugue, departure at 10:30 only.
Campagne → Limeuil, 10 km, 2h
The wild one. The river is lined with limestone cliffs and dense greenery, and you paddle in the shade of the trees. Possible stop on the Le Bugue beach for a picnic, or in town for an ice cream, before finishing at the confluence.
Les Eyzies → Le Bugue, 13 km, 3h
The half-day. You paddle through the village of Les Eyzies, catch sight of a waterfall, and pass between cliffs and tunnels of greenery. Without hurrying, in three hours you are back at the Le Bugue base, with the Guinguette for a drink.
Les Eyzies → Limeuil, 18 km, 4h30
The nature route, hired for the whole day. The wild Vézère, its waterfalls and cliffs under lush greenery, the wildlife, then a halfway stop at La Petite Guinguette in Le Bugue for lunch in the shade before finishing at Limeuil.
Why the Vézère
Shade, cliffs, calm water
In hot weather it is the river we recommend: the trees along its banks shade a good part of the descent. It is narrower and wilder than the Dordogne, with no rapids, and the water is shallow on our routes, which reassures beginners. All our Vézère routes are open from age 5 with an adult.
For the Dordogne, its wide landscapes and broad beaches, two routes also start from Limeuil: Siorac and Port Muzart. And to go further up the Vézère, the two-day trip covers 41 km from Montignac.
Frequently asked
The Vézère by canoe
Is the Vézère difficult?
Which Vézère route with children?
Can we swim during the descent?
Where does the minibus leave from?
The Vézère is waiting.
Book your trip online, or call the base for advice. We speak English.