Southern France Canoe and Cultural Tour 2027
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The Southern France canoe and culture trip takes you to the Dordogne River. On the banks of the river you will find medieval castles, idyllic villages, as well as stalactite caves and water gardens. We will spend a week of the ten days of the trip canoeing. The pace is slow and we will only travel up to twenty kilometers per day, taking in the sights and enjoying the local environment - yet in total we will canoe 120 km along one of the most beautiful rivers in France.
The beginning of June is a good time for canoeing on the Dordogne River: the air temperature is usually up to 27°C during the day, 15°C at night.
The hike is also suitable for those who have never canoed before - everyone can do it! If you can't row, the distances are such that the river will still flow downstream to the camp by evening. The hike takes place in two canoes, all the necessary equipment is provided by the canoe rental.
We stay in hostels in cities and also in camping cabins during the canoe trip.
We carry the necessary gear during the hike in our canoes. We can leave our things at the hostel for the day of exploring Toulouse.
Overview - short & sweet
Objective: to explore the Dordogne River and the castles, villages, and caves of the county of the same name by canoeing for approximately 120 km.
Dates: 4.-13.06.2027
Adventure guide: Evelyn Fridolin, Triin Arjus
Technical difficulty level: 1/5 (easy canoe trip without special equipment)
Physical difficulty: 2/5 (medium effort, suitable for everyone)
Group size: min 8, max 10
Hiking adventure price:
Early bird (until 31.12.2026) — €1550
Medium speed rooster (until 28.02.2027) — €1705
Late Registration (from 01.03.2027) — €1860
NB! Elamus+ community members get a 5–10% discount. Read more and check your discount eligibility. community members page.
Travel cost
Price includes:
Entire trip organization and on-site guidance
Elamus+ Estonian-speaking tour guide (also speaks English, basic French),
Elamus+ Estonian-speaking tour guide (France adventure tour organizer)
Local transport starting from Toulouse (public transport to the starting point of the hike and back)
Canoe rental: double canoes
Visits to castles: Château de Castelnau-Bretenoux, Château de Fénelon, Château de Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, Château de Beynac
Rock city and fortress Fort de La Roque-Gageac
Caves: Grottes de Lacave, Grotte de Domme
All overnight stays throughout the trip (in hotels and camping houses)
Graduation dinner
Stylish Elamus+ sports shirt for each participant
Group pharmacy
The price does not include:
Flight tickets to Toulouse and back (~400-600 €)
Insurance (travel insurance)
Personal hiking equipment (comfortable clothing for canoeing, light footwear)
Meals not included in the trip price
Extra activities and transportation for them
Personal hygiene products and medications
Registering for the tour
Before registering, please read travel conditions. To secure your place on the trip, a deposit (20%) must be paid within 3 business days of receiving the confirmation and invoice by email; if there are less than 30 days left until the trip, the total cost (100%) must be paid. Read more: frequently asked questions ja package tour information sheet.
Schedule and activities
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN TOULOUSE
Arrival on Friday, June 4. You can fly there via Munich, Amsterdam or Paris. (The adventure locomotive will write to the participants for more information about purchasing flight tickets.) A brief introduction to the city. We will spend the night in a hostel in the center of Toulouse, 2-4 people per room.
DAY 2 - Argentat-Beaulieu
18 km approx. 3,5 hours of canoeing
Let's start with a canoe trip! Along the way, we'll pass villages, a couple of castles, and numerous cliffs. In Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, we'll find a medieval chapel and several options for enjoying local food and drink.
DAY 3 - Beaulieu-Vayrac
23 km approx. 4,5 hours of canoeing
This day we drive through Carennac, considered one of the most beautiful villages in France. We visit the 9th century Castelnau-Bretenoux castle. Overnight in Vayrac.
DAY 4 - Vayrac - Saint-Sozy
18 km approx. 4,5 hours of canoeing
We will canoe between limestone cliffs, passing by the foot of the Mirandol castle. Possibility to visit the village of Gluges and its church. We will also stop in Creyesse and Montvalent. Overnight in Saint-Sozy.
DAY 5 - Saint-Sozy - Souillac
18 km approx. 3,5 hours of canoeing
This day can also be called the distance of three castles, as the Château de Belcastel, Château de la Treyne and Château de Lanzac are on the way. We visit the Grottes de Lacave cave. In the evening we arrive in Souillac, where we also visit the Louis Roque winery.
DAY 6 - Souillac-Saint-Julien-de-Lampon
14 km approx. 3,5 hours of canoeing
We will visit the Souillac Abbey. A more peaceful day with a few villages on the way.
Day 7 - Saint-Julien-de-Lampon-Vitrac
16km approx. 3,5 hours of canoeing
Today we spend time in Les Jardins d'eau de Carsac - a beautiful water garden and visit the 11th century Fénelon Castle. In the evening we arrive in Vitrac.
Day 8 - Vitrac - Beynac
16 km approx. 3,5 hours of canoeing.
Today is a more active day with several attractions such as the village of Domme and the Grotte de Domme cave, the rock town of La Roque-Gageac and the Château de Castelnaud-la-Chapelle. We end the hike at the foot of the Château de Beynac.
Day 9 - TOULOUSE
City Day will also be a backup day for the canoe trip. This day is for resting. Those who wish can visit museums, cafes, and wine bars.
Day 10 - BACK HOME!
Flight back to Tallinn.
NB! There may be minor changes to the schedule and planned activities - for example, due to weather and conditions or passenger requests.
Hiking equipment
Here is a list of the most important things you may need on a hike.
Daypack for excursions.
Comfortable, lightweight shoes for canoeing, but also for walking around town.
Bottle of water and snacks of your choice
Wind and rainproof jacket and pants
Comfortable clothes for canoeing
Waterproof bag/mini bag for equipment - other stuff can be put in the waterproof plastic barrel that comes with the canoe. You can also bring a waterproof bag (but it is not mandatory).
Power bank and phone with wires
Sunscreen (the stronger the better), first aid kit, medication, toiletries
Swimwear
Sunglasses
You can always ask the adventure guide for advice!
Travel documents, Covid and footnote information
The participant is responsible for the validity and orderliness of their travel documents. The following documents are required for this trip:
ID card or passport;
travel insurance (including travel disruption, baggage, medical assistance).
We recommend that you take out travel insurance immediately after receiving confirmation of your travel registration so that you are also covered for longer-term health problems!
Read more also Elamus Pluss OÜ travel conditions
Don't worry, let's do it!
Is this hike suitable for me?
Absolutely! This is an active vacation that is affordable for any adventurer with an active lifestyle.
But I don't have any hiking gear, who can afford to buy it?!
You won't need them on this hike ;) The climate in France is such that normal sporty clothing, a hat, and light hiking shoes are enough for hiking. In the countryside, we will travel with a light bag.
Okay, I registered. Now what?
To make the hike more enjoyable, we recommend participating in our preparatory events before the trip - it's also part of the fun. Elamus+ also organizes preparatory hiking training and, if desired, we can provide advice on suitable insurance and equipment, etc.
Read more also frequently asked questions.
