Canoeing and paddling in the Gorges du TarnI tested out for you a canoe trip down the sublime Gorges du Tarn, accompanied by my dog. This Grand Site is an ideal playground for outdoor sports enthusiasts like me, and for people who take their 4-legged friends everywhere with them! I opted for one of the classics, an 11-kilometer route linking the charming village of La Malène, where I’m staying, and the not-to-be-missed Pas de Soucy site (passage forbidden).
Canoe trip down the Gorges du Tarn.10h30
On vacation in La Malène for a few days and accompanied by my dog, I immediately wanted to try canoeing with him. Ideally, I’d like to take a day trip, so I went straight to the village bakery and grocery store to buy home-made baguettes, sandwich fillings and a few cakes. My picnic is ready (and my dog’s too), so all that’s left to do is get on board! Before leaving, I made sure there were no cyano-bacteria in the river, as these bacteria are very bad for dogs and small children…
“Animals are the angels of this earth”, Peruvian proverb.
Paddle in the Gorges du TarnThe turquoise waters and pebble beaches are just waiting for us! There are also many people who opt for the paddle descent, which is more complicated with my dog…
11h00
Arriving at the rendezvous point, I pick up my paddles and lifejacket with my dog… and off we go for an introduction to canoeing ! We leave the village of La Malène behind and set off to discover the famous gorges. From the very first strokes of the paddle, we’re in a good mood, full of wonder and excitement. My dog is very comfortable on the boat, but can’t wait to get into the water, just like me !
“Happiness is a child’s dream realized in adulthood”, Sigmund Freud.
11h30
First stop 800 meters from La Malène to enjoy a sandy beach on the right bank of the river. An ideal place to relax and sunbathe with my dog… a treat for both of us!
On the edge of the beach, a small shady spot caught our eye. Enough lolling about, it’s time for the picnic! On the menu, delicious sandwiches made on the run with local produce. A real moment of pleasure in which my dog participates by tasting a few bites of local produce in addition to his picnic…
“You have to let the water calm down before you swim in it”, Charles Hamelin.
Swimming in the Gorges du Tarn.13h00
It’s time to continue our adventure towards the chaos of Pas du Soucy!
After several kilometers along the water’s edge, we reach the narrowest and most beautiful part of the Gorges du Tarn: Les Détroits.
Canoeing in the Tarn Gorges at "Les DétroitsWe face gigantic walls that plunge sheer into the river… The place seems unreal. I paddle between the cliffs of this impressive canyon for over 600 meters, and my dog, too, looks fascinated by the beauty of the landscape…
Le Hameau de la Croze in the Gorges du Tarn. Can be visited during the European Heritage Days.14H00
A hundred metres or so past Les Détroits, I spot a few mysterious houses that seem cut off from the world. This is La Croze, one of the most beautiful hamlets in the Gorges du Tarn. The place seems both romantic and homely. A local couple explain that the river is the only way to access the hamlet, and that it’s private.
Unfortunately, they add, it’s impossible to visit the site outside the European Heritage Days, as all the houses belong to a single family. Surprised and amazed by this little discovery, my dog and I continue on our way!
“Nature is an eternal down-to-earth dialogue”, Kheira Chakor.
14H30
The Gorges du Tarn reveal new surprises with every metre you climb! On my right, at the top of a cliff, a mushroom several meters high… naturally sculpted in the rock. I choose this spot to take a break and enjoy the river with my dog. We swim and play in the Tarn and its pebble beaches. He also meets a lot of his 4-legged friends!
“To stay grounded, it’s better to follow the water than the wind”, Kheira Chakor.
Rocher du champignon, in the Gorges du Tarn, Lozère. During a canoe descent.“With every stroke of the paddle, the Gorges du Tarn reveal new surprises! They never cease to amaze us with landscapes each more sublime than the last.”
Canoeing at Saint Chély du Tarn in the Gorges du Tarn15h30
Quite cracked! We leave the pebble beach and head for the Cirque des Baumes, below the famous panorama of Point Sublime… The site takes its name from the baumes or caves carved out by erosion and the wind, which I can see from my canoe.
“Happiness is lived, not written”, Sandrine Fillassier.
16H00
The river calms down, a few more strokes of the paddle and we’re off! I stop on the left bank just before the Pas du Soucy, already nostalgic for this beautiful descent, then we board the minibus for La Malène. The journey is accompanied by captivating explanations of the Gorges du Tarn by the bus driver. From the road, we can even spot unusual rock shapes hidden in the cliffs, like the bride and groom or the face of Christ. My dog rests at my feet during the journey, exhausted from this fast-paced day – the canoe and the heat, it’s tiring!
“Happiness can’t be offered, it’s within each of us”, Taha-Hassine Ferhat.
“The return journey is a joyous one after an unforgettable and magical day in the heart of the Gorges du Tarn!”
When canoeing down the river, there are several things you need to take with you:
Canoe departures are possible from most of the villages in the Gorges du Tarn, and there are numerous canoe routes.
In summer, it’s best to leave in the morning. There will be fewer people on the water, and you’ll be even quieter… for admiring the scenery.
