Canoeing on the Dronne Sauvage

On a walk in Périgord Vert, on the side of the bocage and the meadows of Saint-Aulaye which rub shoulders with the Charente, we take you for an exotic canoe trip. The Dronne is a very pleasant river that runs through Périgord Vert. We know it well because it goes through Brantôme and Bourdeilles, but on this wild and unspoiled portion, these are routes that are out of the ordinary. So there are few people and it's nice to feel alone in the middle of this enchanting nature! A few kilometers further, it is the junction with the Lisle river, while waiting for the Dronne offers you a spectacle of nature and the rustling of insect wings, of great beauty. Let's go?

Photos of the report: Guide du Périgord

Canoeing on the Dronne between Val de Dronne and South Charente

The Dronne is one of the most beautiful rivers in France according to the internationally renowned geographer Élisée Reclus, it is the theater of the words of the author and traveler Harisson Barker who crisscrossed the southwest on foot and by canoe on these waters. Go on an adventure too! We left from the base of Parcoul, a pretty little rural and peaceful town in the Pays de Saint-Aulaye. At the base of Parcoul Canoë, several routes are available, from a few hours to a day, or even roaming for several days in the footsteps of Barker.

Dams and wild banks

Depending on the water level, the river reveals banks where you can dock with your canoe, but! On the Dronne, the banks and dams are private property that the owners are kind enough to leave in use for canoe and kayakers. So be very respectful, don't leave any waste and be discreet! You will come across sumptuous mills, some being renovated, others beautifully renovated.

The main difficulty will not be paddling, because for that you will have no trouble and will quickly find your rhythm, these are the passages of dams. You have to carry the canoe, it's important to know this (and all the explanations will be given to you at the start). It's not difficult, but you have to be able to get out of the water without a hitch (at worst a wet foot!) and to lift (two people is better) the canoe a few meters to put it back afloat and circumvent or cross the obstacle. This is ultimately what happens on other rivers in the summer season, when the water level forces you to carry the canoe due to lack of water flow!

Fauna and flora preserved on the Dronne

What we really liked during our descent was the silence and the presence of many species of birds (heron, a few birds of prey, a kingfisher seen), but also cows on the banks, dragonflies, damselflies and fish in the water. It is clear and fresh, the water lilies and lotuses flourish there and you can admire their roots through the water! Everything is peaceful and calm, restful. But don't forget to paddle!

You can choose a course where you start from the base and have to reach a point further down the river, then you will be taken back to the base. We preferred to do the opposite and leave by minibus at the start and then walk at our own pace.

We wish you a great sporting and nature experience on the Dronne river!

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