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This is just a quick snapshot. The regions' representatives will take you through anything which interests you in detail. Remember to register.
Lakes and rivers
- Auvergne: Given the number of lakes and rivers present in Auvergne, a high number of leisure centres offer sailing, canoeing, kayaking, rafting or tubing activities.
- Burgundy: Learn the history of the Settons’ lake with the "Eco-base activital des Settons"
- Midi-Pyrenées: Canyoning, white water in Aveyron: sliding down slides, jumping into pools, abseiling... guaranteed thrills.
- Rhône-Alpes: Discover Lake Annecy in an ecological, calm and original way with the stand up paddle
- Savoie Mont Blanc: White-water activities are aplenty in the region and besides being fun and safe, they can be practiced in Bourg Saint Maurice on the Isère river.
- Riviera: Rafting, canyoning and hydrospeed are all available to practise in the inland rivers of the various valleys of the Riviera (Roya, Vésubie, Tinée).
Seaside
- Brittany: Try your hand at the stand up paddle to get a whole new perspective on the Pink Granite coast.
- Languedoc Roussillon: The ‘underwater trail’ in Cap d’Ague offers encounters with sea creatures and marine flora and an opportunity to explore the region's volcanic past
- Nord pas de Calais: Sand yachting schools all along the Opal coast and mountain boarding (mix of skateboarding, BMX and kite-buggying) by the Sanders dunes.
- Poitou Charentes: Oléron island is a first class destination for windsurfers: with regular national and international competitions, the area is also suitable for beginners.
- Marseilles: a snorkelling experience with a State-qualified diving instructor in the Riou Archipelago in order to discover the rocky inlets and sea beds from June to September.
- Var: lots of marine grottos and about 50 ship wrecks are waiting for your visit as you’re diving between Saint-Cyr sur Mer to St Raphaël.
This is just a quick snapshot. The regions' representatives will take you through anything which interests you in detail. Remember to register.
Lakes and rivers
- Auvergne: The extraordinary Gorges de la Jordanne in the Cantal have for centuries been carved out of volcanic breccias. Remarkably well managed and easily accessible to visitors of all ages.
- Burgundy: Clients of the Relais Montmartre restaurant in Vire are being offered the option to be able to enjoy special menu of 2 hours boating on the Saone River.
- Languedoc Roussillon: Take a cruise on the Rhône to Sète Canal on board the "Isles de Stel" to discover the magical Camargue. Option to meet ranch’s herders too!
- Midi-Pyrénées: Take a cruise on the Lot River, one of the loveliest navigable waterways in France. Over 75 km of enchanted voyage, rocky gorges, vineyards, castles and high-perched villages.
- Rhône-Alpes: from Lake Lemon to the Rhone delta, Viarhona is a 650km long car free and carefree way to enjoy the river heritage. Open to all, cyclists, walkers and roller skaters…
- Savoie Mont Blanc: Why not try to follow Steve Redgrave tracks on the calm waters of Lake Aiguebelette, a rowing centre where the British team regularly comes to train.
Seaside
- Brittany: Add to the romance by tasting oysters onboard a traditional sailing ship! A morning on the An Durzunel includes an al-fresco breakfast, a tour of Mont-St-Michel bay and a picnic lunch, bien sûr!
- Nord pas de Calais: Horse riding along the beach at Hardelot and Le Touquet is a real threat at sunset.
- Poitou-Charentes: Share a dinner on a catamaran for a seafood dinner onboard whilst sailing and admiring the sunset over the ocean.
- Ile de Ré: Sail along the beautiful sites of Ile de Ré and experience all the pleasures of sailing catamaran expeditions with the safety of a skipper.
- Corsica: All nautical sports on offer for everyone, everywhere…Swimming, Sailing clubs, Sea Kayak, Waterskiing, Jet ski, Inflatables, Fishing on the high sea, deep sea Diving…
- Var: Live the glamour of the 60s in Saint-Tropez, the beauty queen of the Bay, or Port-Grimaud (the "Venice of Provence"), the Marines de Gassin, the Marines de Cogolin and Sainte-Maxime all competing for a second place in the line up.
This is just a quick snapshot. The regions' representatives will take you through anything which interests you in detail. Remember to register.
Gorges
- Auvergne: The Gorges de l’Allier are dazzlingly beautiful and one of Europe’s last remaining wild rivers and undoubtedly the best white-water spot in Auvergne. Jumping on board a canoe or raft is the ideal way to enjoy this natural sanctuary.
- Rhône-Alpes: The Gorges of the Ardèche are perfect for canoeing and river water sports: gentle family floating to extreme kayaking, rock climbing and hiking.
Lakes and rivers
- Burgundy: Aqua Fluvial offers a large range of different ships to discover the canal of Nivernais within the best conditions.
- Dordogne: A week long cruise on the Lot river in a houseboat will enchant all.
- Languedoc Roussillon: Exploring some of the 360km of the Canal du Midi on a penichette is possible by renting one for an hour, a day, or half a day.
- Midi-Pyrénées: Midi-Pyrénées offers a wide range of equipped leisure facilities, as well as specially created lake and river sites and some supervised beaches.
- Normandy: At the heart of the picturesque Normandy countryside, travel through l’Eure in a kayak and marvel at the green landscapes and the flourishing flora and fauna.
- Poitou-Charentes: No license is required to navigate on the River Charente. It winds its way through 160 km of vineyards of Cognac, 21 locks, green pastures and rows of poplar trees.
- Savoie Month Blanc: The Pré Curieux is a floating and unusual garden, to be discovered by solar boat in Evian-les-Bains.
Seaside
- Brittany: Gathering shellfish on the Crozon peninsula is a great family activity - and you get to eat your spoils at the end!
- Nord pas de Calais: Various sailing programs depending on children’s age group are available for sailing courses immersion. Family trips out to sea are also available.
- Ile de Ré: Experience the tales and legends, the fauna and flora, the story of Loix marshlands with a canoe guided tour.
- Riviera: ‘Pirates of the Mediterranean’ is the ideal activity for parents with young children. Hope on board, family picnic provided, swim and go on a treasure hunt, around the beautiful Ile de Lérins.
- Corsica: with miles of white sandy beaches and creeks, the whole family can afford all kind of nautical sports most of the time for free or at very affordable prices. Excursion to the Scandola and to the Lipari islands are also available.
- Var: At the ‘Domaine du Rayol’ children can discover the marine fauna and flora with a guide from 4 – equipment provided.
- Marseilles: Don’t miss to Visit the Calanques from Marseille to Cassis. Two companies based on the old port offer this service.
This is just a quick snapshot. The regions' representatives will take you through anything which interests you in detail. Remember to register.
Lakes and river
- Burgundy: A luxury cruise in a peniche-hotel on the Burgundy canal is the best way to discover the historic towns, castles and abbeys of this historically rich region.
- Languedoc Roussillon: Half a day spent in a canoe, an easy ride finishing under the extraordinary Pont du Gard.
- Midi - Pyrenées: A medieval cruise with ‘The Boat’ lets you discover bastide towns and medieval villages on a tour of 93 km, including 52 locks.
- Normandy: The 3km long Parcours de Chaise Dieu du Theil is the oldest fly fishing trail in France. It offers diverse landscapes away from noise, stress and pollution.
- Poitou - Charente: Exploring the 4000km of the Green Venice waterways on a flat-bottomed boat trip is possible on its own or with a boatman-guide.
- Rhône - Alpes: A lunch cruise on the Rhône river in Vienne is a wonderful opportunity to sail along the Côtes du Rhône vineyards while tasting great food!
- Savoie Mont Blanc: Boat cruise on Lake Geneva, Lake Bourget and Lake Annecy are all available.
- Vendée: The “gîtes de pêche” (holiday cottages) near lakes or watercourses, offer special facilities. Day- or two-week holiday permits available from June to December.
- Nantes 2012: The ‘Bateaux nantais’ make visitors discover the richness of the river Erdre with a guided tour and learn about its history, its chateaux and its flora and fauna.
Seaside
- Nord Pas de Calais: Cod-fishing in Icelandic waters was for a long time one of the main activities of Gravelines' seafarers. It is now possible to set sail with the fishermen for a morning or afternoon trip.
- Var: Over 400 kilometres of shores and 230 beaches and coves bordering the Med, excellent facilities, including access for the disabled, some beaches are naturist and most are wild...
- Marseilles: Right in the heart of the "Vieux-Port"of Marseille, in front of the City hall and under the protection of the "Bonne Mère", embark aboard the old sailing ship Marseillois for an immovable cruise of the most magic.
This is just a quick snapshot. The regions' representatives will take you through anything which interests you in detail. Remember to register.
Rivers
- Auvergne: Whether it is from the club house with a terrace overlooking the lake, with a boat and guide, or whether it is solo, there are a variety of fishing possibilities in Auvergne.
- Burgundy: Quietly canoeing on the Loire in Burgundy is also a perfect way to discover the region. A guide will explain all about the fauna and flora, before finishing the day with a meal cooked on a camp fire and sleeping in a tent.
- Midi-Pyrénées: Discovering the Tarn valley and the village of Peyre in a kayak or a canoe is an exceptional experience, as is paddling under the world's biggest viaduct.
Seaside
- Languedoc Roussillon: In addition to its internationally renowned nautical activities, Port-Camargue, one of Europe's greatest marinas, has a wide range of activities for everyone.
- Nord Pas de Calais: Sea-fishing excursions are available both in Etaples and Boulogne.
- Normandy: 'Le Longe Côte' is a sport practiced along the inclined beaches of the West coast of Normandy. Participants walk waist-deep through the waves with the aid of paddles to propel themselves forward.
- Ile de Ré: Since 1966, CNPA, the multi nautical activity centre (catamaran, windsurfing, boat license, swimming, beach club, land yachting) has been welcoming visitors for guided or self-guided activities.
- Corsica: the paradise of blue, clear sea water, white sandy beaches, hidden creeks for swimming, snorkeling, diving, sailing clubs, Sea Kayak, waterskiing, Jet ski, fishing…as the rivers allow canyoning and white water rafting.
- Var: The coast trail crosses 20 towns from the Saint-Tropez Gulf to the Estérel, offering an exceptional opportunity to discover the Mediterranean landscapes, fauna and flora. 72km have been laid out, 50 more km will follow soon from Six-Fours to Saint-Raphael.
- Marseilles: Scuba diving in Marseilles started with Captain Cousteau. Today you can discover the underwater world of fauna and flora under the supervision of qualified instructors. The area also has the Calanques ship wreck for the more intrepid scuba divers.