Tarn Gorge - France summer 2014

[Chris]

Hi everyone.

Destination Tarn Gorge for Summer 2014.
Has anyone been? any hints or tips.

One major question I have is whats the river like? I have a stand up paddle board and trying to decide whether I should take it or not. Is the water level high enough and is it rocky? Don't like the ideas of taking chunks out of my board? I guess it may depend on what part of the river. Shall I buy a dinghy instead Its one of the things that if I don't take it will I regret it??
Thanks.Chris

 

[ChrisandPenney52]

I haven't spent any time on the Tarn, but I have spent some time on the Vezere and the Ceze, and alongside the Tarn. I think that either a stand up paddle board or a canoe would be very useable in many parts, and good fun. Cali is a good vehicle for this area as it's small enough with enough grunt for the hilly roads.

Nice YouTube sample here, although these are inflatables:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k06qk7C5c4g

 

[Ewan]

We spent 5 days or so there a couple of years back. Stayed at a lovely site - Les Ranchisses - which I'd recommend.

We went canoeing on an organised trip where they pick you up at the end and transport you back to the start. We did a half day trip but 1 and 2 day trips are also available. I have no idea about paddle boards but if you search for water sports companies you'll see that there are several and they're well organised.

Just watch those winding roads along the gorge though. A hired motorhome strayed across the white line taking our offside mirror off and didn't stop.

 

[Chris]

Thanks for replies.
Love the idea of using a stand up paddle board on a river so know toying with the idea of selling my rigid (which is dent free) and purchasing an inflatable,which will take the odd knock from a rock.

 

[ChrisandPenney52]

I haven't used an inflatable, but a friend who is a windsurfer and Laser dinghy sailor, so is used to high performance kit, has one which he uses for family times, and loves it. My daughter tells me that the inflatables are not as inherently stable as the solid ones - we debated whether this is because they are more buoyant so sit more on top of the water. However she did say that they feel as stiff as the solid ones once they are fully blown up, and she got on fine with it.

 

[greyplague]

Hope I'm not too late with this.
We stayed at Florac last year: an excellent site (Pont du Tarn) with all facilities.
http://www.camping-florac.com/anglais/index.html
The town has everything you'll need. Canoe hire is available at all towns & villages down the river from here - and yes, they bring you back upstream!
The gorge is magnificent, one of our all-time favourite destinations. Go and see the vultures at http://www.vautours-lozere.com/defaultgb.htm and/or the Aven Armand caves. Both are well worth a visit.
Enjoy yourselves.