Aquitaine

Becalou Canoe Kayak was created by Sophie Bégin, a former top-level kayak-polo athlete. You can rent a kayak by the hour for a trip through the salt meadows. For a longer experience, you can take your picnic and sail all the way to the Arcachon Basin! If you'd like to be supervised by a professional, themed outings are available: sunset in the salt meadows, kayaking and astronomy, ornithology, botany or oyster farming, as well as a hike to Île aux Oiseaux and breakfast at sunrise.

Discover Bayonne, Ustaritz, Cambo and Itxassou by canoe-kayak from the banks of the Adour and Nive rivers, following the rhythm of the downstream currents with Antoine and Aurélien, both seasoned experts in this discipline, which can be practiced by people aged 7 (accompaniment compulsory) to 77 (and over), provided they know how to swim and are in good shape. Guided tours are available in both calm and swift waters. Whether you're a family, solo or duo, or a group of friends, it's a time for sharing and conviviality. Spice up your outings, your weekends and your holidays in a whole new way.

Want to discover the Little Amazon on a canoe trip? Aline and Arnauld offer canoe rentals with a focus on human relations and nature. From the age of 7 upwards, various half-day or full-day canoe routes, from 6 to 20 kilometers, allow you to observe a landscape dotted with historical vestiges, while taking advantage of the cool waters of the Gave d'Oloron for a swim between a few paddle strokes. Whitewater rafting is not just for the more athletic. All activities can be supervised.

Surprising as it may seem, you can canoe, kayak, pirogue or even stand-up paddle on the Garonne. With its pontoon and slipway, this associative nautical club based at the Chantiers de la Garonne also offers surf training and outings on the ocean. As a member of the club, you'll soon be able to master sea oars and paddle boards! From the clubhouse, you can also take advantage of the breathtaking view over the Garonne to enjoy a beer brewed by the Brasserie de la Lune, which shares the premises.

The base is located near the aquarium, with snack bar and picnic area, free shaded parking. Eric, the owner, will give you a warm welcome. Departures by minibus are every day, every hour from 10am (9am in July and August). There is a wide choice of eight routes, from 5 to 26 km, on the Vézère and the Dordogne. Some routes can be done over the day with a picnic stop or swimming. Along the way, you can admire the sites, the fauna and the flora. Possibility of 2 to 4 day hikes.

An outing for the whole family or a group of friends, to cruise slowly along the Dordogne, from 8 km in 1h30 (Vitrac), to 16 km in 3 hours (La Roque-Gageac) or 22 km in 4 hours 30 (Beynac). Multi-day hikes (2 to 7) are also available to enjoy a different view of the Périgord countryside, its castles and typical villages, not forgetting swimming breaks on the pebbles. This rental company awaits you 7 km from Sarlat to tell you all about the region and get you out on the water. They'll give you practical advice, transport you by bus and lend you all the equipment you need.

From an individual canoe or kayak trip down the Dordogne from the base at Vitrac, to a group caving excursion, climbing or horse-riding, Canoës-Loisirs organizes a wide range of outdoor sporting and cultural activities. On the river, you'll experience an exceptional moment as you navigate. Choose from a range of free descents from 9 km to 25 km for a magical day, or multi-day trips with overnight camping or hotel accommodation.

The best time to explore the joys of river sliding is from April to November. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, you'll enjoy gliding down the Pas de Roland gorges, a listed natural site, following the river's capricious course in the heart of a wild environment. You'll be spoilt for choice of activities, including rafting, canorafting, hydrospeed, stand-up paddle, tubing and more. You can also go canyoning, aquarando, climbing, caving and much more.

In addition to the boat and canoe trips offered by the Maison de la Nature du Bassin d'Arcachon, located at the entrance to the Parc Ornithologique, there is another area dedicated to nature and family leisure activities. This leisure center has over 20 years' experience in welcoming the public. Here (almost) everything is possible: kayak or canoe hire, with a choice of two routes of 10 or 20 km, bike hire for exploring the basin's trails, and guided horseback rides in the forest and along the river (allow 1 hour).