Canoeing in Languedoc - Herault or Orb?
 

Hi there -
We are looking at going doing a "canoe outing" when we are in Languedoc in June.
The Herault and Orb rivers seem to be in best striking distance of where we are staying (Agde) and other places we would want to "bundle" together. There seem to be lots of places that offer canoeing in the area - does anyone have any reccomendations either of companies or specific bits of the river?

Thanks!
V

Google maps has it at just over 2 hours driving from Agde... I'd head for the Gorges du Tarn.

I have just 2 regrets from our 2 weeks in France last summer... not taking the Ferrari ride in Monaco and not having enough time to stop in the Gorges du Tarn to canoe
or kayak for a few hours.

Type 'canoe, gorges du tarn' and you'll get all kinds of results.

Rob

Thanks Rob! Except... you got me doing more surfing :-) Millau was on our "I think we would like to see that" list, and it looks like there are lots of options for Tarn canoeing that are not to far from there.
Why is that one of your regrets? Something you planned but never got to? Or something you discovered later?

There look like there are a couple of different routes - any particular "makes sure not to miss" sections?

I tour around that area all the time when I'm going the long way between the Dordogne and Provence. Definitely canoe in the Gorges du Tarn. The Millau bridge is a wonder, and the town is nice enough. If you stay off the highway, all routes are picturesque.

Thanks! So I've done my additional research, and it sounds like canoeing on the Herault or Orb might be nice, but for an extra hour of driving we can have "the real thing" :-)

Of the companies I've found, it looks like routes that woudl fit us are either from St Enimie to La Malene, or starting from a spot between Haute Rives and La Malene that includes going through "Les Detroits". Any thoughts on if either of these routes would be preferable, or are we winners either way :-)

thanks again!
V

I actually am not all that big on canoes etc but driving through the Gorge last summer on such a beautiful day with the stunning scenery and eagles soaring at cliff top, gliding down the river by canoe or kayak would have been wonderful.

We just didn't have time though. Next trip we will!

If you go, be sure to allow time to check out the viaduct at Millau. Amazing.

Rob

Absolutely would - it looks as though the fastest route from Agde to the Gorge would take us over the viaduct (I think - as long as we stuck to the A75?). We would probably take a "get there quickly", dawdle back approach, so could go over the viaduct on the way, and then approach it from below on the way back (it sounds like there is more to appreciate by seeing it then going over it - would that be true?)

Yes, going over it isn't that much of a thrill. Seeing it from afar is amazing. And I'd do the route from Ste-Enimie to La Malène.

Just whatever you do, don't get on any of those Michelin roads marked "dangerous," the ones with the red and white stripes. I did that a few years back with a friend and we thought our lives were over. Nothing quite like backing down a 90-degree-angle hairpin-turn road, and then going back up and discovering a Wide Load truck coming at you on the narrowest road you've ever been on. We thought we'd died and gone to heaven when we reached Ste-Enimie in one piece.

There's an exit right after crossing the viaduct that leads to a rest stop/viewing area/info center. You're right... it IS more impressive when seen from a distance.

If you go right down into Millau of course you'll see it right in front and above you.

We took the A75 up from the south. After the viewing area I believe we got off at the next exit for Aguessac and started into the gorge from there. The driver will need to concentrate as the road is narrow and winding and passes through rockcuts and tunnels.

There are a couple of videos I posted on TripAdvisor...
http://preview.tinyurl.com/cdpjy9

There are lots of videos of the viaduct and the Gorge on youtube.

You may find you don't have all that much time on your hands when you head back to Agde... the drive up the gorge to Ste Enimie takes time as the road won't allow you to go too fast. Then you have your trip down the river and the van ride back to your car and the trip out of the gorge. No matter if you retrace your steps or leave via another route all roads are slow!

But great scenery!

Rob

Thanks very much for your input! My engineer husband is very interested in seeing the Millau viaduct.
And the gorge seems gorgeous!
thanks again

Rob/StCirq -
We got back from our trip earlier this week (I started my trip report with the Paris part, and will do the Languedoc part separately when I finished that) but I wanted to close the loop by thanking you both SO MUCH for the reccomendation to make the extra drive up to the gorges du tarn. We did a canoe trip there that was absolutely wonderful - the highlight of our trip - definitely worth the extra drive, and I probably wouldn't have done it without your advice.

thanks again!!
V

Excellent! I have been reading your adventures
(and enjoying them immensely!) but haven't got to the canoe part yet!

My wife and I did a last minute trip to Paris in late June but had only a week so the return to the Gorges du Tarn will have to wait until next year. I look forward to reading that part if your travelog!

Rob