Canoeing the Vézère River from Montignac to Les Eyzies
The Vézère River cuts a sinuous path through the limestone cliffs of Périgord Noir, passing beneath overhanging rock shelters where our Cro-Magnon ancestors lived, painted and dreamed. Paddling this stretch by canoe is the most immersive way to experience a landscape that has remained essentially unchanged for twenty thousand years.
The route and what you will see
The classic full-day route runs approximately 24 km from Montignac (home of Lascaux) downstream to Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, passing through a succession of dramatic limestone gorges, wooded islands and tiny riverside hamlets. The current is gentle and the river rarely deeper than two metres, making it accessible to paddlers of all experience levels including families with children.
Along the way you float past the cliff overhangs of La Madeleine — a troglodyte medieval village carved directly into the rock face — and beneath the walls of Château de Marzac. Herons stand motionless in the shallows, kingfishers streak electric-blue across the water, and the only sounds are birdsong and the dip of your paddle.
Practical details and best time to go
Several canoe-hire companies operate from Montignac and Les Eyzies, offering shuttle services so you don't need to paddle back upstream. Canoe Vacances and Canoë Loisirs are two well-established operators with good equipment and clear safety briefings. Half-day trips of 8–12 km are also available for those short on time.
May, June and September offer the best combination of warm weather, manageable water levels and thinner crowds. July and August are busiest — the river fills with flotillas of holiday-makers — but the atmosphere is festive rather than unpleasant. Avoid heavy rain periods in spring when the current can run fast.
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