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Floating more than paddling

January 13, 2019 | Michael Turtle | 12 Comments

ADVENTURE TRAVEL

Kayaking on the Dordogne, France

At times I wonder if I’m doing more floating than paddling. That’s not really the point of kayaking. But, then again, it’s not that often that I have the opportunity to kayak with scenery like this.

Kayaking on the Dordogne, France

I’m on the Dordogne River in the south of France – a waterway of about 500 kilometres that reaches the sea near Bordeaux.

The name alone evokes a romantic notion of French rustic charm with grand castles and lush nature.

While this region is popular with tourists, most stay on the land. But the river provides a natural and special way to explore.

Kayaking on the Dordogne, France

I’m spending two days kayaking along the Dordogne – from the town of Meyronne to Groléjac. It’s almost 40 kilometres in total which seems like a good stretch of the river, even if it’s less than ten per cent.

Kayaking on the Dordogne, France

There are no rapids, no whitewater challenges. Although the flow is quite fast in places, there are also stretches where I need to paddle consistently to avoid coming to a complete stop.

These are not the bits where I float. The points where I place the paddle across my lap and sit back are when there are straight stretches and a decent current.

Kayaking on the Dordogne, France

Sometimes there are high limestone cliffs on one side of me; other times I can spot a majestic chateau high above the trees; there are a few places where a bridge crossing the river creates a perfect scene; and at other times it’s just the birds and the trees that catch my attention.

I’m pretty sure I spot a squirrel swimming between the banks at one point.

Kayaking on the Dordogne, France

Kayaking on the Dordogne, France

I’m not sure I would have thought to have done this if it had just been up to me.

Where would I have organized a kayak? What would I do with my bags? How would I have known the best stretch to paddle down?

Kayaking on the Dordogne, France

Kayaking on the Dordogne, France

Perhaps I would have found answers for those questions if I had looked hard enough but luckily everything is being taken care of for me. These two days of kayaking are part of a week-long trip I am doing with Headwater Holidays here in this region of France.

It’s an independent trip in the sense that I start each day when I want, use the map to navigate my course, and go at the pace I want.

What the organisers do is give me the equipment, provide me with instructions for the best route, arrange my hotels, transport my bags to the next one each day, and pick me up at the end.

>> Read my review of a Headwater Holidays trip in the Dordogne <<

Kayaking on the Dordogne, France

A duck swims by with a trail of fluffy ducklings following behind her. As I paddle near to them, they seem to get confused and are clearly wondering whether they should turn around to get away from me.

I try to shout out that I’m no threat and I’m only going this way because it’s the shortest route around the bend in the river.

This only agitates them more so I stick the oar in the water and change direction, to go the long way. You have to respect the river in situations like this.

Kayaking on the Dordogne, France

I feel like the river respects me in return. The flow of the water carries me carefully for the most part and, even in the parts that are slightly faster or bumpy, I keep my balance.

After the first hour on the water, I have become comfortable and unpack my camera and phone from the dry bag that I had put inside a waterproof barrel for extra protection.

Kayaking on the Dordogne, France

Kayaking on the Dordogne, France

Part of floating, rather than paddling, is so I can take photos and even put a few of them up on social media while I’m still on the river. (And I hope you’re enjoying some of these shots in this blog post!)

To my mind, this isn’t laziness. It’s about enjoying the day as a healthy combination of exercise and relaxation.

When I do a long stretch of intense paddling for 30 minutes, I can feel the burn in my arms. But when I sit back and look at the cliffs and the approaching bridges, I appreciate my location more than the activity which has brought me here.

Kayaking on the Dordogne, France

Kayaking on the Dordogne, France

Along the way, I pass dozens of campsites. There are elderly couples sitting on fold-up chairs in front of their large tents; children are playing in the water by the riverbank; a solitary man is standing slightly upstream with his legs submerged, fishing.

These people are all appreciating the river in their own way and I’m pleased for them.

While I am glad I am travelling along the waterway and seeing the changing scenery, at least these campers are connected to this flowing artery of the region. They know, that’s why they have come.

For accommodation, I suggest Chateau de Monrecour in Saint Vincent de Cosse.

>> See if your preferred dates are available for this trip <<

Time Travel Turtle was supported by Headwater Holidays as part of a Captivate project but the opinions, over-written descriptions and bad jokes are his own.

Reader Interactions

    Comments Cancel reply

  1. Elly |

    July 22, 2015 at 8:44 am

    Reply

    Looks and sounds so relaxing. Really made my day more positive!

    • Michael Turtle |

      August 26, 2015 at 2:48 am

      Reply

      It’s so relaxing! I wish I was back on the river right now, just floating along and looking at the landscapes!

  2. Mary @ Green Global Travel |

    July 25, 2015 at 6:53 am

    Reply

    Gorgeous photography and descriptions. This really does seem like a special way to enjoy nature – and the glimpses of wildlife and châteaux make the scene even more magical. Thanks for the post.

    • Michael Turtle |

      August 26, 2015 at 3:06 am

      Reply

      It’s funny how the castles and the grand houses actually made the nature even more spectacular. It’s nice to have all that scenery but know that people are making the most of it!

  3. Eric Johnson |

    January 14, 2016 at 1:25 pm

    Reply

    Wow, how amazing the trip is. I really love travelling, especially kayaking. I will try to come there one time to explore this area. Thanks for sharing great information and photos.

    • Michael Turtle |

      January 17, 2016 at 3:43 am

      Reply

      You’ll love it when you try it out for yourself, Eric. The Dordogne is a perfect place for kayaking!!

  4. Jonh |

    January 21, 2016 at 1:43 pm

    Reply

    Great yeah. Really awesome post , also helpful

    • Michael Turtle |

      January 23, 2016 at 8:57 am

      Reply

      Thank you very much. I would love to hear if you ever get a chance to go kayaing there yourself.

  5. Diver S |

    September 1, 2016 at 12:08 am

    Reply

    Hi Michael, Thanks so much for the photo journal of your magical trip on the Dordogne! I wouldn’t have thought of this destination, but seeing it makes me want to go and experience it. The views of the castles and chateaux above are stunning. Thanks again and keep the great posts coming!

  6. Dennis L. Ward |

    May 16, 2017 at 6:17 pm

    Reply

    It’s an amazing trip. I also love to float more than p addling while kayaking. Love your photos more then the content btw.
    Thanks for sharing your post.

  7. Rob |

    July 30, 2017 at 9:06 pm

    Reply

    Such a beautiful area for kayaking! Your pictures turned out beautiful!

    • Michael Turtle |

      August 3, 2017 at 8:28 am

      Reply

      Oh yes indeed. It’s the perfect spot for kayaking if you like a leisurely float with incredible scenery (which I do!)

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This is the website of travel writer, Michael Turtle. After working in broadcast journalism for a decade in Australia, Michael left Sydney to travel the world indefinitely and write about the places, people and experiences he discovers. This isn't a diary - these are real stories from the world.

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