Canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding near Conques: head for the Lot

People often ask if they can paddle down the Dourdou from the cottage. The answer is no. Here, the Dourdou runs through narrow, rocky gorges, not suited for canoeing. The good news is that the Lot river is close by, and it's a proper river for that kind of outing. I checked all this with the Conques Marcillac tourist office before writing, because I've seen too many websites invent river names or routes that don't exist. Here's what's actually true.

Why not on the Dourdou

The Dourdou flows through gorges of grey schist between Conques and Grand-Vabre. The riverbed is narrow, water levels shift quickly, and no outfitter offers paddling activities there. It's not an arbitrary rule, this stretch of river simply isn't suited for it. You can swim in a few spots, but it's unsupervised. For a proper paddling outing, you need the Lot river, just a short drive away.

The ASV'OLT bases on the Lot

ASV'OLT runs several bases on the Lot river: Grand-Vabre at Les Pélies, Le Port at Vieillevie, and Entraygues-sur-Truyère. You can rent a canoe, kayak or paddleboard, whatever suits you. The Lot is wider than the Dourdou, the current is steadier, and the scenery shifts with every bend. It's an easy outing to organise, no particular experience needed for the shorter routes. Grand-Vabre is just minutes from the cottage, so it's often the most convenient base for our guests.

Back to calm, by the lap pool

After a day on the water, your arms get tired, sometimes your back too. Back here, you find a different relationship with water, a stiller one. The 12-metre lap pool is unheated, staying cool all year, surrounded by the chestnut and oak forest covering the slopes. Some guests prefer to finish with the wood-fired Nordic bath, or the sauna, for contrast with the cool river. Two very different kinds of water, in the same day, without leaving the valley.