Detailed Itinerary

2011-01-07T23:44:00.000-08:00

Day 1
Meet at the local train station (Brive) and travel to our first idyllic village for a wonderful start to our journey. The village was once a stopping point for pilgrims on their way to trek across France and the stately church stands over the river like a lone sentry.

Day 2
Here begins our adventure. We will hie up river to our starting point and paddle back to our starting village. Our trip will takes us through a wandering valley and beautiful wooded area. We will return to visit a castle and neighboring prehistoric sites. We will view ancient cliff dwellings with artifacts and petroglyphs which are all over 250 centuries old.

Day 3

Today, we will begin heading down river both on foot and on river. We will pass through a peaceful valley and sheer cliffs, ending up at another historic site, the site where cro-magnon bones were found. You will have time to visit the history museum, ancient caves, or free time to explore our new village.

Day 4
In the morning, you will have more free time to visit the museum or visit the local farmers market. After lunch, we will explore the next valley and village on foot, stopping at quaint shops and cafes while viewing the wonderful architecture.

Day 5

This day begins a full day of paddling on a new river. However, we will take a relax pace and take plenty of stops in the many villages and hamlets.

Day 6

Another wonderful day of hiking and canoing down our winding river. We pass through wooded valleys, quaint hamlets, and may have an opportunity to visit 14th century chateaux with plenty of history from wars and French royalty.

Day 7

We being our adventure by visiting some of the best preserved prehistoric cave paintings open to the public. Here we will see drawings of horses, cattle, and even mammoths. Afterward, we will return to our canoes and head downstream past dramatic cliffs to another quaint village with plenty of shops, art galleries, and places to relax with a glass of vine. Energetic participants can climb to the breathtaking viewpoint overlooking the valley and village.

Day 8

This is a free day. People can relax in a village or join the guides for a stroll past limestone walls and rolling pastures. We will be able to take an historic tour of a beautiful chateau which overlooks the river.

Day 9
Today is a great day to paddle. We past through a valley filled with vineyards where we will have an opportunity to stop and taste the wonderful french wine. We will stay in a village which was the center of trade and transport for wine which was often sent down river.

Day 10
Eat, drink, and be merry. Today, we will float downriver ending at an impressive castle towering over its village. There will be plenty of time to tour the castle, eat tasty food, and visit wine shoppes which are part caves.

Day 11
Another day, another beautiful castle. We will walk or ride up to a new castle which is over 1000 years old. Rumor has it that Richard the Lionheart captured this fortress many centuries ago. We will also take a short day paddle down river and return to our starting village for our final french feast with incredible wine (of course).

Day 12
Today, we return everyone back to the train station and say adieu with only our memories and friendships to bind us.

Canoeing and Winetasting in Southern France

Detailed Itinerary