Centre-based Family Active Holiday In Rural France

Arrive at Brive railway station and transfer to our campsite near Beaulieu.

Overnight Camping (Simple) Swimming available

Beaulieu is a typical Dordogne village with its old city walls still largely intact. Narrow cobbled streets fan out from the centre to reach a circular perimeter wall with many entrance gates. The morning is free for exploration; the 12th century Abbey church is well worth a visit to see the carved doorway depicting the Last Judgement, a masterpiece of Romanesque sculpture. After lunch we have a full safety briefing and then take to the river for the first time to learn the intricacies of propelling our boats. When everyone feels comfortable with the boats we set off downriver. The gentle pace gives us ample time to enjoy the natural beauty of the scenery along the way, as we make our way to the hamlet of Puybrun, and our overnight campsite. Here there are spectacular views of the castle of Castlenau- Bretenoux, which dominates the whole valley. Total 10 kms canoeing; 3 to 3.5 hrs approx.

Overnight Camping (Simple) Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

Leaving the river behind, we take to our bikes and cycle to the mighty castle of Castlenau- Bretenoux. Constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries, Castlenau-Bretenoux is one of the most impressive examples of medieval architecture in southern France. Built on a high terrace and triangular in shape, it is flanked by six huge towers. Deep ditches and a solid rampart made it an impregnable fortress which garrisoned 1,500 men and 100 horses during the bloody Hundred Years War. After visiting the castle we cycle back via Bretenoux to Puybrun where the afternoon is left free for further personal exploration, or you may choose to relax by the pool! Total 14 kms cycling; 2.5 hrs approx.

Overnight Camping (Simple) Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

This morning we cycle along small country lanes through fields of corn and tobacco, affording great views back to Castlenau- Bretenoux and to the rolling hills and ridges beyond. We cross the river to Carennac, a delightful village which saddles a cliff overlooking the river and the isle of Calypso. Here you can take a stroll through Carennac’s maze of alleys and old streets lined with stone manor houses with red-tiled roofs. Setting off once more we follow the quiet road which follows the river to the charming market town of Fiorac. This is one of the most beautiful parts of the Dordogne Valley, the Cirque de Montvalent, where châteaux perch high on the cliffs above. Finally we arrive at Vayrac. Steeped in history, this area was the last bastion of resistance to Julius Caesar’s advancing Roman army in 51BC. Total 15 kms cycling; 2.5 to 3 hrs approx.

Overnight Camping (Simple) Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

Today we have the chance either to relax for a day at Vayrac, possibly taking a stroll into town or enjoying the excellent facilities at our campsite, or to make an optional venture by minibus to two of the region’s most spectacular sites: the medieval pilgrimage village of Rocamadour and the amazing cave complex at Padirac. We take a minibus to the beautiful village of Rocamadour, clinging to the 150m cliff edge, has been visited by pilgrims since the 13th Century and was one of the largest halting places on the route to Santiago do Compostela in northern Spain. After spending some time exploring the medieval streets we continue to the Gouffre de Padirac – an incredible cave complex, where underground lakes, caverns and passages can be explored on foot and by boat. Some of the subterranean passages reach nearly 100m in height and are draped with spectacular stalactites, some up to 75m tall!

Overnight Camping (Simple) Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

A short bus journey takes us out of the river valley to the medieval town of Martel, a sleepy settlement once occupied by the Moors. Close to the intricately constructed market place is the Gothic church of St. Maur, originally designed as a fortress. Descending on foot, we make our way to the riverside village of Gluges, attractively sited under high cliffs with good views southwards across the river. We have lunch before setting out along the river again. The scenery along the river becomes more dramatic now, as the Dordogne cuts gorges and canyons into the rock. Our campsite close to the lovely village of Creysse is a perfect place to relax at the end of an active day. Total 12kms canoeing, approx 5 hrs.

Overnight Camping (Simple) Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

As we canoe downriver, the Dordogne twists and turns to the tiny village of Lacave, overlooked by the impressive Château Belcastel, perched on a cliff overlooking the valley. From Lacave we continue downstream past limestone cliffs, dotted with small caves, to the village of Pinsac. Here we leave our canoes behind and return, via road to Creysse for a free afternoon relaxing by the river. Total 8 kms canoeing; 2.5 hrs approx.

Overnight Camping (Simple) Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

Included meals: Breakfast