Treat yourself ! See magnificent views, turbulent water,….explore the Dordogne by foot, by barge, by canoe-kayak…
Turbulent water
Formed at the union of the Dore and the Dogne at the foot of Sancy, the Dordogne stretches out over 472km, between 1700m of altitude and the sea, from east to west, from the chain of volcanic mountains to the Bec d’Ambès, where it mixes with the Garonne river in the Gironde estuary. Four rivers feed the Dordogne, the Diège, the Triouzoune, the Luzège and the Doustre. Alternately lively and indomitable, peaceful and relaxing, the Dordogne has many faces. Studded by dams that attest to the primordial asset that the Dordogne represents in the production of energy, it was also a Mecca of Resistance during the Second World War.
A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Classified as a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, Zone Natura 2000, the Dordogne is home to rare and protected species of flora and fauna :
- 23 species of birds of European interest, including the night heron, the short toed eagle and the kite
- migratory fish such as sturgeon or salmon
- emblematic mammals of the territory such as the European otter
- remarkable plants such as the angelica of estuaries
These gorges are undoubtedly one of the most remarkable, natural spaces of the Auvergne and Limousin. The ornithological diversity of the site is often spectacular, when birds of prey take advantage of hot air currents to rise up in the sky, othertimes it is discreet, birds stay well hidden in the vast sloping forests. Arm yourself with patience and attention to discover the exceptional fauna of these gorges …
Go with the flow: enjoy an excursion in Roche-le-Peyroux and set up camp after a canoeing or kayaking trip, or after a splash on a stand-up paddle. Or perhaps you’d prefer to stay on solid ground? How about a long-distance hike to Argentat-sur-Dordogne, along more than 200 km / 124 mi? Through its long-distance itinerary, the “La Dordogne de Villages en Barrages” association invites you to recharge your batteries, and to discover the many wonders of this grandiose, well-protected natural environment. This itinerary is a dream for hiking aficionados, along the banks of the Dordogne to the village of Confolent-Port-Dieu, the only village left standing after the Bort-les-Orgues dam was built to create a reservoir stretching to the beautiful city of Argentat. Go with the flow and enjoy a unique experience from the discovery of the gorges of the Dordogne to its spectacular dams.
