Canoë AVCK base camp
Welcome to the Eyzies-de-Tayac in the very heart of the Vézère Valley and the Black Périgord
Our team would be delighted to welcome you and to introduce you to the
beautiful wilderness of the Vézère River with its very accessible waterway.
This hotspot of prehistory and medieval culture is also an ideal way to discover the region’s breathtaking landscapes by canoe, kayak or stand up paddleboard. Important historical monuments and fantastic natural sites appear at every bend in the river’s impressive limestone cliffs.
Travel downstream in safety, sharing jokes, dipping into the water for a swim, giving in to a feeling of freedom and healthy fatigue …
It’s our priority to offer you top-quality service.
Our pluses
More services for your satisfaction
Practical organisation
Our minibus transports you to your itinerary’s departure point – you may then paddle back to base camp at your own pace where your car will be waiting for you.
No waiting, no stress.
Practical navigation
Comfortable back rest
All of our canoes and kayaks are equipped with a comfortable back rest.
It’s unique in the Dordogne and with no extra charge.
Your back is going to like it !
The most beautiful landscapes and riverfront
Our canoe trails are at the heart of the most beautiful section of the Vézère valley, characterized by limestone cliffs, fantastic prehistorical sites and castles.
The natural surroundings here are protected.
The river is calm and shaded, its waters clear in the summer and perfect for swimming.
A 10-page
Log Book
This information booklet will help you get your bearings and identify the many monuments visible en route. It also contains a wealth of information concerning the local fauna and flora as well as tips on where to picnic and how to steer a canoe.
We lend this fun and very practical book for free.
High quality service
We provide more services than ever for your satisfaction
A warm welcome, friendly advice, punctuality, top security, and the cleanliness of our boats are our top priority.
We provide an introduction to the canoe trip before your launch and help you to go!
Our base is recommended by the “Petit Futé” and “Lonely Planet” guide books. We are a FNPLCK Quality Charter adherent.
Itineraries
Choose the itinerary that best suits your rhythm
Tursac
Les Eyzies
A short half-day trip
which gets to the essence of the Vézère spirit
St Léon sur Vézère
Les Eyzies
A long itinerary
which requires 4 hours paddling work
La Roque St-Christophe
Les Eyzies
This is the “classic” trail
neither too long, nor too short
Château de Losse
Les Eyzies
This is the longest
and most interesting itinerary
Other itineraries
How does it works?
1 Rendez-vous at the base camp AVCK, “The Yellow Canoes” under the Eyzies Bridge (look for the 3 giant bisons).
2 Arrive at the reception area 30 minutes before the departure of your bus to allow time for registering, changing, and picking up your equipment. We are available to answer any questions you may have at this time.
3 The bus leaves and delivers you upstream from the Eyzies to where the Vézère’s most beautiful canoeing spots are to be found. Our team will help you set up and initiate you into using the canoe.
4 Travel downstream at your own pace until you arrive to our canoe base in the Eyzies where you will return the equipment you have borrowed and also be able to pick up your car (no long wait for the bus). There is no time limit. Feel relaxed to enjoy the sights, picnic, swim…
5 A shaded picnic spot is available at our canoe base just next to the river. There are also toilets, changing rooms, a snack bar with drinks, ice creams, and a bouncy castle for children… The Eyzies village is only a few minutes’ walk away should you wish to continue your visit.
Preparing your trip
Practical information
During the summer months, you will find the river “warm”, clear and clean, perfect for swimming (the water can be cloudy and colder in Spring).
While it’s very easy to stop off and picnic on the river’s shores during the summer, it’s harder to find suitable “beaches” in the spring when the water level is higher.
3 adults can share a canoe – but not 4. Let us advise you on finding the best solution to accommodate the different ages and experiences of members of your group.
There are no shops or snack bars on the shores of the Vézère (except at St. Léon), so prepare a picnic if necessary. At our base camp, we sell sandwiches, drinks, crisps and biscuits…
Canoeing is a sport which can be physically demanding and where the risk of falling into the water really exists. Before leaving, read our information booklet carefully and follow the advice of our initiation course.
The canoeing trip is independent, without a guide. Our clients share a bus to leave base camp, but once they’re on water, they follow their own course.
Travel downstream, it’s much easier.
We recommend you reserve by telephone 1-2 days in advance.
The Vézère is a calm, shallow river, making it perfect for users of all ages, particularly beginners. There are no barrages or dangerous rapids. However, the slow current in summer can render the longer itineraries more challenging.
The river is occasionally closed during the spring due to excess rain and high water levels. If in doubt, call us.
Safety rules
- Know how to swim 25 m and be submerged in water
- Be a minimum 5 year’s of age (by Dordogne Prefectoral Order)
- Wear a lifejacket (zipped)
- Wear suitable closed sports shoes (no open sandals, flip flops)
- Dogs accepted
Advice
- Wear light clothes: shorts, T-shirt, obligatory closed shoes (no open sandals), cap or hat, sunglasses (on a string).
- Bring a bottle of water, sunscreen, picnic (optional), portable telephone
- Put your things away in the waterproof plastic container lent to you for this purpose
- Do not choose a long itinerary if you are canoeing for the first time
- Available on sale at the reception: aqua shoes, sunglasses and strings for attaching them, sunscreen, caps and hats.
Ships
Canoes / Kayaks
Canoe
The Vézère is a calm river with no rapids. The traditional open canoe with its seats and back rests is best adapted and by far the most comfortable.
Set the captain up on the back seat, and you’re ready to accommodate 2, 3, or even 4 people (2 children in the middle, not 2 adults).
Double Kayak
Double sit-in
Like the canoe, the double kayak also has back rests. However, you’ll find yourself seated much lower and closer to the water, for a very different experience. Uses a double-bladed paddle. For 2 people only.
Double sit-on-top
This kayak is best adapted to more rapid currents like the Ardèche River (unlike the Vézère). We do not have many models, so if it’s the one you want, best to reserve it. This kayak is the only one we have without a back rest and is not particularly comfortable.
Monoplace Kayak
Single Sit-in
This kayak has a back rest but requires some experience as it’s a sports model and can easily turn over.
Sit-on-top
A larger, more stable kayak with a back rest, adapted to all users, even beginners.
Stand Up Paddle
Experience something totally new: river stand up paddle
River stand up paddle!
After our instruction session, you will be able to glide off on your own for a trip of about an hour. Rise to the occasion to discover a fabulous new sensation.
While stand up paddle is fun and accessible to all, its physical demands should not be underestimated. An hour of stand up paddle compares to about 2 hours’ worth of canoeing, particularly if you play about and fall into the water. For truly experienced paddlers, a longer itinerary is possible. Contact us to reserve.
Safety Rules for Stand Up Paddle
- It is obligatory to wear a lifejacket and closed sports shoes (going barefoot/ wearing sandal is forbidden).
- Children must be a minimum 12 years of age, and accompanied by an adult.
- Reservation is required by telephone.
- Contact us for times and navigating conditions.
- Users travel independently without an instructor.
Unusual Vézère
Combination Walking and Canoeing
Do you also like walking? The combination walk-and-canoe is for you!
Our base is surrounded by magnificent walking trails. Participants leave Les Eyzies by foot, walking upstream of the valley, then return by canoe. We provide a precise walking map to guide them to the nautical base in Tursac.
In the morning before departure, we initiate users into navigating the canoe, and leave them our log book. Once at the nautical base in Tursac, some decide to picnic on the banks of the river (a calm spot with tables, shade, and toilets.) They then pick up the canoe we have previously left for them, and paddle downstream back to our base in Les Eyzies.
Price :
17€ / pers. from 10 years old
1/2 rate from 5 to 9 years
Unusual Vézère
3 day canoeing trip
The Vézère is navigable over 50 km between Montignac-Lascaux and Limeuil,
with the town of Les Eyzies located approximately in the middle.
Choose your own program, over 2 or 3 days, covering the whole stretch or only part of it.
Reservation is required
- Arrival at our base camp in Les Eyzies 45 minutes prior to bus departure for inscription and fitting out with equipment.
- Bus departure for Montignac at 9:45 am during the low season (8:45 am during high season, July and August).
- We will advise you on where to bivouac, or alternatively provide you with a camping ground address or contact for a gite/apartment.
- Bring light camping equipment, sleeping bags and mattresses if you plan to camp by the riverside. Do not forget food provisions.
- If you finish your trip in Limeuil, we will come and pick you up by bus at the end of the afternoon
Price :
per day and per person: 22 €
Equipment supplied for the trip :
Included in the price:
- a two-person canoe
- one waterproof plastic container per person to store your personal belongings
- a single- or double-bladed paddle, lifejacket with added floatability
- a chain for attaching the canoe at the end of the day
- transfer by minibus
Not included in the price :
- Food and accommodation.
We can advise you on places to stay near the river.
CANOEING TRIP OF 2 DAYS + 1 NIGHT: 31 KM
- DAY 1 from Montignac to St. Léon sur Vézère: 12 km
- DAY 2 from St. Léon sur Vézère to Les Eyzies: 19 km
CANOEING TRIP OF 3 DAYS + 2 NIGHTS: 50 KM
- DAY 1 from Montignac to St. Léon sur Vézère: 14 km
- DAY 2 from St. Léon sur Vézère to Les Eyzies: 19 km
- DAY 3 from Les Eyzies to Limeuil: 20 km
Groups
Groups of 10 to … 250 people
Private and company groups
Whether you’re a group of friends or family, members of a club or a company, we’ll adapt to your special requirements at the best price.
Canoeing or kayaking with a group needs to be well-planned in advance. Our long experience and excellent knowledge of the river insures the best organization possible.
Don’t hesitate to contact us – we are available to help
.
School groups, holiday camps
These groups require accompaniment by a certified canoeing-kayaking instructor as well as approved swimming tests for participants. An instructor can accompany up to 16 children. Contact us for an estimate including transport, instruction, and canoe rental.
Contact-us for an estimate including transport, instruction, and canoe rental.
Approval DDCSPP n° 02408ET0009
Groups
Groups cocktails
Why not organize a truly original day?
Combine your canoe-kayak trip with another exciting activity
The large open park next to the river at our base camp is perfect for other fun sports.
activities. The combination of a morning activity (10:30am – 12:30pm) followed by a picnic and an afternoon canoeing trip is a fantastic way to all have fun together. (It’s possible to reserve a picnic for your group with us – contact us for details).
Don’t hesitate to contact us to develop the program best suited to your needs. We will provide an estimate.
Cocktail 1
Archery + canoeing cocktail
Archery is a fantastic recreational activity, and really a lot of fun.
A certified instructor will introduce you to the basics, and then propose games and friendly competitions. Archery is accessible to all ages, encourages self-control and requires following the rules. While canalizing one’s energy and sharpening one’s concentration, this sport also has a relaxing effect on the body.
Following a delicious picnic on our shaded tables by the river front, you can paddle down 10 km to Tursac (from 2:00pm – 6:30pm for example).
Group price archery
(for a group of about 15 people, not including ensuing canoe trip):
150 €
Cocktail 2
Touch Archery + canoeing
A unique concept of archery, new in France.
Experience a new world of archery battle where you actually shoot at your adversaries.
This intense sport is without any danger. A certified instructor will accompany you, and our equipment is safe and subject to regular control.
Group price touch archery
(not including ensuing canoe trip):
210 €
This activity is also available on its own (no canoeing) in the afternoon.
Group price: 275€
Cocktail 3
BUBBLE FOOTBALL + CANOEING
The latest in sports fashion. Hilarious, friendly fun
Protected from head to foot inside an enormous plastic bubble, participants bump into each other, bouncing and rolling into the grass. (A professional is present at all times to control and advice.
Various game rules are possible – all of them a good pretext for ramming into one’s adversaries…
Group price bubble foot
(not including ensuing canoe trip)
240 €
This activity is also available on its own (no canoeing) in the afternoon.
Group price: 300 €
Contact-us
To reserve, don’t hesitate to contact us by telephone
Telephone: +33 5 53 06 92 92
Mobile phone: +33 6 87 86 51 16
Email: avck@vezere-canoe.com
Website : www.vezere-canoe.com
Address
Pont des Eyzies, route de Périgueux,
24620 les Eyzies de Tayac
FRANCE
Calculate your itinerary
Languages spoken: GB / NL/ SP
The base is open every day, 7 days a week,
from 1st April – 15th October 2019
8:30 am – 8:00 pm July-August
9:00 am – 7:00 pm the rest of the year
Lat : 44,939602
Long : 1,005086
