Family canoeing on the Dordogne with Canosphère

Would you like to go canoeing on one of the most beautiful rivers in France and Europe ? Located in the heart of Périgord Noir, at the foot of the Bastide of Domme, Canosphère offers canoe/kayak rentals on the Dordogne. We offer different routes, each one a different way of discovering the secrets of the Périgord Noir, a land of history and nature. You can embark on a descent of the castles. You'll skirt the village of La Roque-Gageac, pass by the fortress of Castelnaud la Chapelle and the château of Beynac, and enjoy an exceptional view of the cliffs of Marqueyssac. The Dordogne Valley is also a Biosphere Reserve, the largest in Europe, and the less-frequented wilderness trail is ideal for discovering the flora and fauna of the Dordogne River. Canosphère designs its courses to offer you a unique experience, in complete safety, as well as an unforgettable moment with family or friends. Come and paddle in a different way, because this canoe base is committed to protecting biodiversity. CanoSphère has been awarded the "Biosphere Reserve Trophy" by Mab UNESCO.

Photos and video from the report: Canosphere

Canoe and kayak rental, for original routes on the Dordogne

Follow the turquoise canoes ! Canosphère, ideally located near Sarlat, offers canoe rentals (for 2 to 4 people, all equipped with backrests) and single-seater sit-on-top kayaks for paddling down the Dordogne at your own pace ! Canosphère doesn't impose arrival times - in fact, it's one of the few bases to do so ! You can either go upstream (to Carsac-Aillac or Saint julien de Lampon) and return at your own pace, or you can go downstream and arrive when you like at the base, near Josephine Baker's Château des Milandes, to be taken back by minibus to your starting point. From the age of 5, all equipped with life jackets, a waterproof canister (free at Canosphère!) and a paddle (single for canoeing and double for kayaking), you're ready to discover the Périgord Noir in a unique way. Enjoy your time on the water on one of four routes, two of which start at €20.

• The descent of the châteaux from Cénac to Les Milandes, passing under the picturesque villages of the Périgord, takes 3 hours (13km), is perfect and easy, and allows you to devote yourself to the pleasure of canoeing downstream. The descent of the châteaux is a majestic walk, as the Dordogne Valley offers breathtaking views of the most beautiful sites and châteaux in Périgord : the château of Beynac, the magnificent troglodyte village of La Roque Gageac, the medieval fortress château of Castelnaud la Chapelle and the château of Fayrac. Note that this route takes you past the Château de Beynac and past the village to Les Milandes.
• The route from the cliffs of Saint-Julien de Lampon to Cénac takes 3 hours and covers a distance of 12 km. Sumptuous landscapes await you : the superb cliffs of the Cingle de Monfort, those of the Caudon rock and the Château de Montfort, an ancient Cathar fortress.
• The wild course is 23 km long (4h30). The Dordogne is Europe's largest Biosphere Reserve, and the continent's only river with 8 species of migratory fish. This "special Canosphere" trail is 100% child-friendly, thanks to a free observation kit (valid for all trails!): an aquascope and binoculars (free to reserve), with a booklet to help you understand the biodiversity you'll be observing.
• The History trail runs from Carsac-Aillac to Beynac. You'll travel along the former border between the French and English kingdoms, during the Hundred Years' War. You'll enjoy breathtaking views of the Bastide town of Domme, the villages of La Roque Gageac and Vitrac, and the castles that once watched over traffic on the Dordogne (Marqueyssac, Beynac, Castelnaud, Fayrac). This is the longest route (25 km, approx. 4h30) and also the most complete, revealing all the secrets of the Périgord Noir. For those who want to spend a day on the waters of the Dordogne, it's ideal !
  
  

Free roaming of several days on the Dordogne

You've already canoed, you're sporty or simply curious and looking for a real adventure lasting several days ? Canosphère offers you the chance to rent a canoe or kayak and spend several days roaming freely on the Dordogne. You choose the number of days, from 2 to 6 (the highest departure being Argentat in Corrèze). You'll be taken out in a minibus with all your equipment. What about accommodation? Most adventurers bring their own bivouacs. Food ? Take as much as you can to be on the safe side, although you'll find plenty of food on the road - well, along the river! Do you need to be an expert for this kind of expedition ? No, but you do need to be at least sporty enough to be able to paddle for several hours a day, for several days at a time, and be used to camping or living in the wild !

Protect the river, its biodiversity for sustainable tourism

It was in 2019 that four childhood friends, all natives of the Périgord Noir, decided to create the canoeing base : Canosphère. It's the fruit of their passion for the Dordogne River and their commitment to eco-responsibility. Originally from Sarlat, they grew up on the banks of the Vézère, Dordogne and Céou rivers, and it's after professional lives in which they travelled the world that they now find themselves here, wishing to share their attachment to the Dordogne and contribute to its protection. Located on the Cénac bridge, under the Bastide of Domme, the base is set in a green setting, open from April 15 to October 15. Canosphère takes part in the 1% for the Planet program, which means that 1% of their annual sales are donated to associations for environmental protection programs. The children's nature kit (reservation required) and the Canocarte, a WebApp created by us and the only interactive map of the Dordogne River, help raise public awareness of the need to protect the river and its flora and fauna (Martins Pêcheurs, European otters, herons, egrets, etc.).

Free on-site conferences are regularly organized at the base's Guinguette.

We hope we've whetted your appetite for adventure on the pristine waters of the Dordogne ! Don't hesitate to contact Canosphère for more information and to organize your canoe trip in Périgord !

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