Home › Camping on the Dordogne river: canoeing, castles and swimming
Camping on the Dordogne river: canoeing, castles and swimming
Camping on the Dordogne river combines a holiday in the Périgord with canoe trips, swimming spots and excursions to castles and caves. The département is crossed by more than 600 kilometres of meandering rivers, including the Dordogne, Vézère, Isle, Dronne and Céou.
The list below shows campsites in the Dordogne département with a riverside location. Here you can read in advance which stretches are suitable for paddling, what you can visit in the Périgord Noir, what to watch for when swimming and when the region is at its most pleasant. There are also castles, cliff faces and villages that can be reached from the water or on short trips.
Canoeing: the three main stretches
The most-paddled section of the Dordogne runs from Carsac to Limeuil and is about 35 kilometres long. It can be divided into three stages:
Carsac to La Roque-Gageac: 12 kilometres, approx. 2 hours, calm and family-friendly.
La Roque-Gageac to Beynac: 8 kilometres, approx. 1.5 hours, particularly scenic.
Beynac to Limeuil: 15 kilometres, approx. 3 hours, closer to nature and quieter.
Rental firms drop paddlers off upstream by minibus, and trips last from 2 hours to several days. After heavy rain the current gets faster, and on the operators' advice you should not paddle then.
With most operators, the price of the trips includes boat, paddle, life jacket and the return shuttle. Besides canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are available in many places.
Season and safety on the water
According to the Maison du Périgord, the canoeing season officially runs from early May to the end of September. June and September are considered ideal: enough water, fewer crowds, water temperatures of about 18 to 22 degrees.
Life jackets are compulsory and are provided. For the trip, proof of being able to swim 25 metres is usually required, and children under 7 need an experienced adult. Do not drink alcohol before paddling. If the boat capsizes, float on your back with your feet pointing downstream. Details vary from operator to operator, so ask before booking.
Families with small children can try the calm stretch from Carsac. Experienced paddlers choose the longer, nature-oriented stretch to Limeuil.
Castles, villages and prehistory
On the river between La Roque-Gageac and Beynac, the castles of Castelnaud, Marqueyssac, Fayrac and Beynac line up within a few kilometres. The gardens of Marqueyssac are known for their sweeping boxwood hedges.
Sarlat-la-Canéda is regarded as the capital of the Périgord Noir and as one of the best-preserved medieval towns in France. Les Eyzies is called the world capital of prehistory and is home to the National Museum of Prehistory. The Lascaux cave near Montignac is closed to the public; the replica Lascaux 4 serves as an alternative. Check opening hours and tickets before visiting.
The area lies in a landscape classified as a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
For children, the gardens and castles are a popular destination.
Swimming in the river: supervision and water quality
The river often has a gentle current, but the depth can change quickly. After heavy rainfall the flow changes. Supervised swimming spots exist only at some beaches and are mostly open in July and August, for example in Limeuil, where the Dordogne and Vézère meet. Sandy riverbank spots are also popular, such as Vitrac-Port at the foot of the castle or the beach at Cénac-et-Saint-Julien opposite Domme.
The health authority ARS Nouvelle-Aquitaine monitors bathing waters. In summer 2025, swimming was banned at four river spots, including Limeuil and Alles-sur-Dordogne, because of toxin-forming cyanobacteria. At other spots, warnings were issued about algal mats. Check current swimming bans locally and with the ARS.
Climate and travel season
In summer, average temperatures in the Dordogne are about 27 degrees, and heat peaks of around 35 degrees are possible near Bergerac. July is comparatively dry, with roughly 48 millimetres of rain. Towards the end of hot days, violent thunderstorms with hail and gusts of wind are possible.
If you want to avoid the bustle of July and August, choose May, June or September. The shoulder season is also good for towns such as Sarlat, Périgueux or Bergerac. Journey times from Germany depend heavily on the starting point and are not given here.
Most rain falls in January and March, at about 120 millimetres.
What to do: ideas and a day-by-day plan
The Dordogne Valley in the Périgord brings together castles, cliff villages, caves and calm water in a compact area. The ideas are sorted by interest and weather. Each of the three day plans combines sights from the same corner of the valley, keeping journeys short and leaving more time for the outings themselves.
Nature & landscape
Gabarre trip from La Roque-Gageac1-2 hoursThis traditional river boat, once used to transport wine barrels, shows the village beneath the cliff and the valley landscape from the water. A relaxing alternative to sightseeing on foot.
Jardins de Marqueyssachalf a dayNineteenth-century gardens with around 150,000 hand-clipped box trees. A leisurely walk with views across the valley that follows on well from a village visit.
Brantôme on the Dronnehalf a dayThe town, known as the Venice of the Périgord, sits in a loop of the Dronne. There are trips in flat-bottomed boats and, in summer, water jousting tournaments.
Jardin exotique in La Roque-Gageac1 hourBamboo, palms and banana plants grow in the heart of the village. A short, surprising stop between a village stroll and the fort built into the rock.
Culture & sights
Beynac and Castelnaudhalf a dayThe golden-stone castle of Beynac towers around 150 metres above the river. Castelnaud has a museum of medieval warfare with weapons, armour and reconstructed siege engines.
La Roque-Gageac and Dommehalf a dayLa Roque-Gageac clings to the cliff, with a fort reached by steps. Domme, a fortified town, offers views over the Dordogne Valley, ramparts and towers.
Sarlat-la-Canédahalf a dayThe medieval old town has slate roofs, cobbled lanes, town mansions on the Rue des Consuls and a covered market in a former church. Ask the tourist office about market days beforehand.
Lascaux IV in Montignac2-3 hoursThe faithful replica of the Lascaux Cave leads you through the paintings of prehistory. Allow about 2 to 3 hours for the visit.
Active & sports
Canoeing on the Dordogne near La Roque-Gageac1.5-3 hoursFrom the boat you see the cliff village of La Roque-Gageac and other castles and villages of the valley. Life jackets and waterproof containers come with the hire; children under 5 and non-swimmers may not take part.
Canoeing on the Vézère3 hoursThe stretch from Montignac-Lascaux to Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère is 12 kilometres long and takes about three hours, passing the châteaux of Losse and Belcayre. A shuttle brings paddlers back.
Voie verte from Sarlathalf a dayThe cycle path on a disused railway line runs through woods and along the Dordogne. The route is family-friendly, and bikes can be hired locally or brought along.
With kids
Château des Milandeshalf a dayThe 15th-century château was Joséphine Baker's home and has gardens. There are birds of prey shows with more than 60 species, a programme that often thrills children.
Parc du Bournat in Le Buguefull dayA 1900s-style leisure park with historic rides, a working windmill and horse-drawn carriages. An outing that easily stretches to a full day.
Short canoe trip from Le Buisson to Limeuil1.5 hoursThe route is 6 kilometres long and takes about 1.5 hours. It suits a short outing, but the trip is only open to children aged 5 and over and to swimmers.
When it rains
Gouffre de Proumeyssac1 hourThe cave near Audrix is 52 metres deep and a constant 14 degrees. The guided tour of about an hour uses sound and light staging, with an optional descent by basket. Photography is forbidden.
Grotte de Rouffignac1-2 hoursAn electric train travels through galleries with more than 250 animal figures from the Magdalenian period. The cave is part of the UNESCO World Heritage in the Vézère Valley.
National Museum of Prehistory in Les Eyzies1-2 hoursThe museum in the former château displays over 18,000 objects from 400,000 years of human history. Les Eyzies is considered the world capital of prehistory, a good introduction before cave visits.
Museum of medieval warfare in Castelnaud1-2 hoursCastelnaud castle displays weapons, armour and reconstructions of siege engines. In bad weather you can spend part of the visit indoors.
Sample day plans
Day 1: Castles and cliff villages
Morning
Climb up to Beynac Castle first, while it's still quiet, then continue to Castelnaud and see the museum of medieval warfare with its weapons and armour.
Afternoon
Take a gabarre trip in La Roque-Gageac, then see the fort and the Jardin exotique. If you still have time, drive on to Domme.
Evening
Look out over the Dordogne Valley from Domme and walk along the ramparts and towers of the fortified town.
Day 2: Prehistory in the Vézère Valley
Morning
Visit Lascaux IV in Montignac and allow two to three hours for the cave replica. An early start pays off, as there is still time afterwards for Les Eyzies.
Afternoon
See the finds at the National Museum of Prehistory in Les Eyzies, which also works in the rain. Alternatively, drive to the Gouffre de Proumeyssac for the guided tour of about an hour.
Evening
Stroll through the old town of Sarlat, taking in the cobbled lanes and the Rue des Consuls, and discover the covered market in the former church.
Day 3: Paddling and gardens
Morning
Canoe trip on the Dordogne near La Roque-Gageac. Life jackets and waterproof containers come with the hire, and you see villages and castles from the water.
Afternoon
Visit the Jardins de Marqueyssac with their box trees, or go to the Château des Milandes with its birds of prey show if you have children.
Evening
Buy regional specialities such as foie gras or Monbazillac dessert wine for the evening and eat in peace at the campsite.
Campsites that match
10 matching campsites in our database, grouped by location.
How long is the canoe route between La Roque-Gageac and Beynac?
About 8 kilometres, which takes around 1.5 hours. On the way you pass the castles of Castelnaud, Marqueyssac, Fayrac and Beynac. It is considered the most scenic stretch of the Dordogne.
When is the canoeing season on the Dordogne?
Officially from early May to the end of September, according to regional operators. June and September are considered ideal because of sufficient water and fewer crowds. After heavy rain, you should refrain from paddling.
Do you have to be able to swim to paddle?
Usually yes: according to the Maison du Périgord, rental firms require proof of a 25-metre swim. Life jackets are compulsory, and children under 7 need an experienced adult. The rules differ from operator to operator.
Is swimming in the river allowed everywhere?
Not necessarily. Only individual beaches are supervised, mostly in July and August. The ARS can impose swimming bans because of cyanobacteria, as in Limeuil in 2025. Check notices and official announcements.
What sights are there in the Périgord Noir?
For example Sarlat-la-Canéda, Les Eyzies with the National Museum of Prehistory, the castles of Castelnaud and Beynac, and the gardens of Marqueyssac. Lascaux is closed, and Lascaux 4 is available as a replacement.
