France · CANOES & KAYAKS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 canoes & kayaks tours that earn their price, each with the traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Paddle Marseille’s Côte Bleue calanques with a certified guide, swim in secluded creeks, and enjoy deep blue water views for 3 hours.
“fun activity. the guide was very considered of the participants. Nice route”
Half-day Marseille catamaran for Frioul calanques, with snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, a roof jump, and GoPro plus drinks.
“It was very good experience and the tour guide was very friendly. The swimming stop was beautiful and the sunset was very good as well.”
Rent a kayak or canoe in Montpezat and paddle the Verdon Gorges, including Baudinard Canyon and calm lake stretches for 3 to 6 hours.
“My husband and I were greeted in arrival and the guide was very helpful. The gorge is beautiful and we had a great time kayaking. Would recommend this company.”
Canoe the Dordogne from Vitrac for 2 to 6 hours, gliding past cliffs and châteaux, with easy pacing, kit, and transport.
“We had a great day on the river and this was exactly as described. The scenery was spectacular and we managed to dock en route for lunch easily.”
Kayak Saint-Tropez from Ramatuelle, snorkel Port-Cros waters, cruise Pampelonne and Cap Camarat, plus a 3-meter cliff jump.
“Great experience ! Lovely guide he helped me and my childre”
Self-guided canoe from Domme to Beynac in the Dordogne, with castle views, picnic stops, wildlife, and an easy shuttle return.
“Beautiful scenery, the river was safe to paddle when we went. Good equipment and comfortable transport for our return.”
Guided 3-hour sea kayak tour from La Ciotat into Calanques National Park, with Ile Verte views, caves, and a small group.
“A very nice experience! We'd never been cayaking before, but got the hang of it thanks to good instructions :) Our guide Ellie was excellent! Fun, knowledgable, and made us feel safe. She gave interesting geology as well as history lessons, which made the trip more than just physical. Great! The main part of the trip went through beautiful scenery, on crystal clear water, in bays and in caves. I would've preferred the trip to start closer to the National park, so that we could've visited more of it rather than the harbour area. I don't know if it is possible, though. Also, a ~15 min break for a dip…”
Small-group sailing from Antibes to Fort Royal for snorkeling and SUP, plus Fort history and yacht-spotting. 3.5 hours, about $100.
“Lovely experience sailing around the french riverira, fun equipment and chilled experience.”
Paddle Sète’s Corniche by sea kayak for 150 minutes, past cliffs and small caves, with history from Canal du Midi to fishing.
“Wonderful outing with Olivier, he gave good instructions, fun kayak along the coast and through caves. Some history information about the local area. So good to see Sete from the water.”
Sea-kayak from Estaque to Carry-le-Rouet with a swim in clear coves, gear included, English guides, about 3 hours for $66.
“Easy to get to by bus. Close to a bus stop. Meeting place is a public boat launch without toilets or a way to refill water bottles. Changed clothes in pop up tent. Lou, was great, but such a large group should have had a second guide. As it was a solo kayaker with disabilities kept falling behind, and Lou resorted to towing him most of the way back from break.”
Guided sea kayak off Cap d’Agde with Nathan. Learn marine life, hear local legends, and paddle to Grande Conque black sand.
“We had a great time with Nathan, the location is great, easy access with parking. Nathan was friendly and very professional. The trip itself was good fun. We had a mini adventure in complete safety. A couple of hours well spent.”
Family 3-hour canoe or kayak on the Ardèche gorges near Pont d'Arc, with slides, calm water, included gear, and easy shuttles.
“Superbe activité familiale L’équipe d’Alain Bato, super sympa, dynamique et a bien pris le temps d’expliquer toutes les consignes de sécurité”
Private kayak rental from La Ciotat in Calanques National Park. Explore Grand Mugel and Ile Verte, swim, and paddle 7 hours.
“Although we were an hour late, Justine was very kind and understanding of our tardiness. She was very lovely and gave us a good demo on how to paddle properly, and equipped us in the appropriate kit. Although we encountered some choppy waters whilst on our way to the calanques, where we got to swim around by lovely beaches. There is a possibility to visit and island with a restaurant which is very fun. We greatly enjoyed the trip. Would highly recommend, especially if the day is sunny!”
Kayak the Calanques from La Ciotat on clear Mediterranean water, island coves, and sea caves with a guide.
“Really good experience and our guide Ellie was really fun!”
Kayak Cassis Calanques National Park to Port Pin and En-Vau with swim stops, small groups, and a local guide, from $89.
“Amazing trip highly recommend and thanks to Olivier he was a great guide.”
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