Dordogne Family Adventure, France

This popular corner of France is an ideal setting for an exciting family adventure. The junction of the Dordogne and Vezere Rivers boasts an excellent array of interests and activities, and on the itinerary for this trip, there is the chance to try a little of everything. You'll take relaxing canoe trips along both the Vezere and Dordogne, cycle past picturesque villages and along riverside tracks, as well as exploring crumbling castles and a bustling market town. During your spare time there are optional extra activities including horse-riding and a trip to the impressive Grand Roc caves. Canoeing along the tranquil waters is ideal for children, and each canoe can carry 2 adults and 2 children. Each day you'll canoe downstream, ending back at the campsite. Activities aside, the area has been inhabited since prehistoric times and has a rich and fascinating history that offers visitors an abundance of prehistoric artifacts, medieval towns and traditional villages, churches and chateaux.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1
Start Les Eyzies. The group will meet at Camping La Riviere, in the village of Les Eyzies in the heart of the Vezere Valley. Those who have travelled on the recommended train from London will get a free transfer by coach to the campsite at Les Eyzies. In the evening, before dinner, there is an introductory briefing by your Exodus leader. Camping at Les Eyzies.

Day 2
Following breakfast there is an optional 3½ hour guided walk through the tranquil rural landscape of Les Eyzies to Moustier. Those who would rather have a free morning can take a provided transfer and meet the group later. Time will be given to explore this medieval town before we spend the afternoon canoeing to Les Ezyies using a picturesque river route past Château, lime stone cliffs (containing both prehistoric troglodyte caves, home to some of the earliest caveman dwellings in Europe, and others with geological marvels) historic stone bridges, attractive hamlets and wooded rural landscapes. Total canoeing time approx 3 ½ hours.

Day 3
Today is free to enjoy the area. Your leader will be happy to talk you through all of the options for available activities and a few suggestions include: visiting local caves (both troglodyte and geological), walks in the surrounding area, hiring a bike, horse riding, visiting a local museum, swimming or simply partaking in a long lunch enjoying one of the areas most celebrated assets, food and wine. Camping at Les Eyzies.

Day 4
Transfer to our new campsite at Beynac, towering above us is the impressive fortified medieval Chateau de Beynac, on the opposite bank the imposing Chateau de Castelnaud. The whole area is packed full of medieval artifacts, chateau, castles, displays and museums all retelling the gory power struggles, feuds, conflicts and wars that plagued the Dordogne throughout the middle ages. For today's activity we swap canoes for bikes and follow river trails and quite country roads exploring the surrounding area. We can't rule out the odd short climb enroute but this means there will be downhill too! We will be eating our picnic in the countryside and plan to be back to camp in time to swim, relax or even climb the hill to the Chateau.

Day 5
We pack our picnics into our backpacks and head on a circular walk of the most attractive area of the Dordogne. Our hike passes through rural French countryside and climbs to the hilltop village of Domme, with fantastic views of the winding river Dordogne below. After we descend to the riverbank and climb once again to Chateau de Castelnaud. For a modest entry fee we can explore the inside and the countless displays demonstrating how life in the middle ages was lived as well as the more gruesome displays of armor, weaponry, and wall crushing catapults that threw boulders at enemy castles.

Day 6
Today is our longest canoe day and in the morning we head up river by bus to the start point. For the first part of the trip we canoe past tree lined river banks home to many water fowl and mammals and we may even be lucky and spot a bird of prey soaring overhead on its search for lunch. In the afternoon we return to more familiar territory and once again see the towering medieval Chateau and rolling fields close to our camp.

Day 7
Its Saturday market day in the close by town of Sarlat and we are driven by private coach to the town centre where we will have the day free to explore. Sarlet is, like many towns and villages in the area, built on medieval foundations and the twisty cobbled alleys are a constant reminder to a life before the car. The town is busy and bustling today with a traditional French produce market as well as many other stalls vying for your attention. Escape can be found in any of the numerous local art galleries or alley way cafes and ice-cream parlors. In the afternoon we return to camp allowing time for a last dip in the pool.

Day 8
End Beynac.

Is this trip for you?
It is strongly recommended that you read the information on pages 8 and 86-87 of the Families brochure before booking this holiday. Alternatively go to the are-you-family page on the Exodus website.

No previous experience is required as the unsinkable canoes are easy to paddle, although a general level of fitness is recommended. Life vests are provided however Exodus do also insist that you can swim. Before the first day's trip a full briefing will be given on how to paddle the canoes. There will also be some gentle walking/cycling throughout the trip to explore villages and surrounding area.

Please note that all of the activities can be opted out of. The minimum age of clients on this trip is 5 years old. For canoeing there is a plentiful supply of life jackets designed for children and come with tightening straps for better fitting. For cycling, so we are able to enjoy routes for children of different ages, Exodus don't use child specific bikes but adult bikes which are available in child sizes. These are of a better quality than child specific models.

Exodus do not anticipate encountering any problems finding a correctly fitted bike for your child, but for very young children this unfortunately cannot always be guaranteed. If in the rare event equipment cannot be found for your child then we will refund the price of the activity locally and endeavour to find alternative ways for you and your child to join the group enroute later in the day.

Campsite Accommodation
You'll use two well-equipped campsites, one in Les Eyzies and the other at Beynac. Both are in attractive riverside settings, and the campsite at Beynac is overlooked by a spectacular cliff-top chateau. The roomy, family size tents have two separate sleeping compartments and a lounge area. Exclusive for the group is a shared eating area with unlimited tea and coffee.