Canoe Butterfly
4.5
Canoe Butterfly
By Canoes Butterfly
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About
Discover the valley of 5 castles in the heart of Black Périgord. By canoe or kayak, go down the Dordogne at your own pace and enjoy a unique moment of relaxation in nature. You will meet the wonderful castles dating back to medieval times as well as their colorful historic villages. Classified as a world biosphere reserve, the Dordogne will allow you to see wild animals such as kingfishers, cygnons or even frogs.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 5-100
Duration: 1–5 hours
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Written guide: German, English, French, Spanish, Dutch
Print or digital reading material such as a guide, map, brochure, etc.
More
- Canoe
- Paddle
- Insurance
- Safety jacket
- Private transportation
What's not included- Bottled water
- Start:
- Canoës Loisirs EURL- Canoes Butterfly, Le Pont du Pech, 24250 Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, FranceThe base is located between the town of Castelnaud-la-Chapelle and the Chateau des Milandes at the Pont du Pech (railway bridge).
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 152707P2- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travellers can participate
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 152707P2
From
₹2,030.93
per adult
Select date and travellers
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- thewrens20130 contributionsUninterested staff, with no care or responsibiltyWhilst we absolutely enjoyed the canoe ride, the interaction between us and the staff member checking us in, and also at the end was dismal. The girl was uninterested and moody, and seemed bored and really should look at getting another job as her customer service was very, very poor. (sorry but it's true). The gentleman driving us to the departure point did not really interact. There was no explanation, you were just dropped off and the canoe pulled to the water's edge. when we got back the girl, who was on her mobile phone at the cafe, did not speak but was annoyed at us for not putting the paddle nor the lifejacket the correct way, huffing as she got up from her chair. Again, with no interaction or a smile. They really don't deserve the business. The dordogne river provided the most picturest and relaxing experience however so it didn't dampen our experience of a lovely ride.Written 14 September 2020
- Dom W0 contributionsGreat day in beautiful surroundingsBest thing about this set up is you park up they take you up the river and then you canoe down at your leisure, almost all the others are based up river and they take you back afterwards so you are on a time limit. Some tips - if you are older and not as athletic as you used to be (like me) a kayak can be murder on your back - nothing like it was last time I paddled when I was 15 !!! next time Id get a canoe (Canadian style) which looks much more comfortable. You get a large waterproof tub to put all your stuff in and there are 3 trips tio choose from - we did the middle length one. Scenery is stunning and there are places to stop on the way down for a beer etc. Staff are lovely and friendly and communication was great .... very good company to go with and canoeing down the Dordogne is something you have to so when you come to this area.Written 7 August 2018
- David M0 contributionsRecommendThere are so many canoe hire businesses to choose from on the Dordogne, it’s hard to decide which to use. We did some research and called the day before to Butterfly who were very helpful on the phone. For me the big advantage is that this outfit take you by bus to your start point and you canoe back to their base where your car is waiting for you. I read some damming reviews of other companies leaving you stranded while you wait for a bus to pick you up so we went with Butterfly. The staff were pleasant and well organised. There’s a cafe and toilet at the base where your car can be parked in the shade. We only did the short 5km trip which was all we wanted and it worked out fine. Not bad value at €10 per adult. The river is so beautiful and even on this short trip, you get to go past Beynac castle. If you are looking for such a trip, I’d recommend Butterfly Canoes.Written 12 July 2018
- CharlesMcCall0 contributionsFantastic way to sightseeWe selected a 2.5 hour tour and the length was just about right. The river has a heavy current working in your favor, so you can "work" as much or as Little as you wish. If you would like to just sightsee and occasionally splash your paddle about that is an option as well. The equipment is just fine, the manager (Tom) was very friendly and fluent in many languages, which was Handy. very glad to have done this and would highly recommend itWritten 18 July 2016
- Duncan P0 contributionsVery friendly and efficient canoe hireWe rented canoes s couple of times during our holiday. Butterfly canoes drive you and your canoe upstream to your chosen location. We went from Vitrac and spent s lovely few hours caneoing gently down the Dordogne. The views of the Dordogne valley were amazing and we saw loads of kingfishers, buzzards and other birds. The views of the chateaus particularly Castelnaud were spectacular. There was a lovely picnic stop about halfway to Castelnaud with a lovely grassy bank to enjoy the views and relax. Thoroughly recommend. Can't remember the price but do recall it was very good value.Written 17 October 2015
- Pitvar0 contributionsGood value and an excellent adventure!Good value for two canadian style Kayaks for a 14km run down the Dordogne - we kept it very steady and stopped for lunch and ice creams along the way - there are plenty of riverside snack bars and you can stop in Castelnaud itself and take advantge of the Boulangerie there too [which is outstanding!] As well as the scenery and the geology seen from the river we saw lots of Kingfishers, a coule of otters and lots of other wildlife and despite it being about the busiest weekend of the year and it looking really busy from the bridges when you're actually on the water it doesn't feel too congested. We were bussed from Castelnaud and kayaked back. Top tips - drink plenty, dont forget sunglasses and hats and use suntan cream on your legs or you'll get kayakers sunburn. Also if they are avaliable there were some red kayaks with built in seats and back rests that I guess were a bit more comfortable. Double canoe style paddles also seemed more useful with kids in the front [they just played along with the single kayak style paddles].Written 26 August 2015
- jsinky0 contributionsFantastic and well organisedWe have canoe'd the Dordogne many times but this company is the best so far. So well organised and a great service. Of course this didn't stop us from overturning the canoe at one point but that was our fault! We went from Carsac back to base and the views are nothing short of spectacularWritten 5 August 2014
- AKTravelerFAI0 contributionsExcellent Experience!I had a very good experience renting a kayak from Canoes Butterfly for their trip down the Dordogne River from Carsac back to their base near Castelnaud. I chose this outfit because of the two strong reviews here and also because of its main difference from most of the boat rental companies along the Dordogne: instead of being picked up by bus at the end of the trip and returned to the point of departure, with Canoes Butterfly renters are bused to the departure point and then float back to their base. This means that it's possible to leave a car at the base and not have to take a bus back at the end of the trip. As it turns out, Canoes Butterfly is connected to the highly rated Canoes Loisirs in Vitrac. For the trip from Carsac, renters from Canoes Butterfly are bused to the Canoes Loisirs base to pick up gear and transfer to a bus bound for Carsac. I found both bases to be very efficient, friendly, and professional; shortly after my bus's arrival in Carsac, I was in a nice single kayak floating down the Dordogne. There were many places to stop for a picnic along the way, from large beaches populated by multiple canoes to smaller coves with fewer boaters. I had chosen the Carsac-Beynac trip because it included the most castles, and it didn't disappoint. Their departures from other locations would all also be excellent choices for those seeking shorter trips. Returning gear was also very quick and easy at the end of the float. While Canoes Butterfly would do well to have more than one bathroom at their base--which was also the end point and bus pickup location for the very popular Canoes Loisirs--I was very happy with the fact that I took the bus at the beginning rather than the end of my trip and could leave immediately upon my return. I would definitely recommend either company to those looking to rent a canoe or kayak on the Dordogne.Written 30 July 2014
- laplandbound0 contributionsA great day outWe spent a very happy five hours canoeing down the dordogne with this company. I booked through the website for 4 of us mum, dad, 2 boys aged 11 and 13 to fo from Vitrac to Beynac, we turned up late due to crowded roads around Sarlat but they were great and very accommodating. The receptionist/admin person in the office was really helpful and after a short wait we were off on a bus having left our car in the large grassy (with shade) car park. About thirty mins on the bus and we are off and being kitted up with life jackets, storage box and 2 canoes. A map with brief guide description is also given by Butterfly reception. Anyhow, the rest of the day was fabulous, despite the very high volume of canoes on the river, the dordogne is so wide and there is so much to see that this really didnt matter. We went 16km, stopped to eat picnic on a beach and sometimes meandered and sometimes went for it. Pulled up back at the orginal site and handed gear back in and jumped in car. We left at 12 and were back in car park about 5.15. We did stop quite a bit and there is so much to see, "not another castle" said one of our kids at one point. Dragonflys landing on the canoes, beautiful clear water and a very pleasant day out. Butterfly are well organised and good value make sure you start at the base and get the bus to the start because otherwise you have to get off at the end and wait for them to come and collect you. 60 euros for four of us.Written 16 August 2013
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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KyleFP
Dubai, United Arab Emirates294 contributions
A mix of site seeing, tanning, exercise and tactical manoeuvres.
We booked online a few days in advance and opted for the 12km route from Cénac to Beynac. The staff were very helpful upon reaching the check-in location, and soon we were being driven to the starting location of our chosen route.
The canoe journey was fun, picturesque, but also a lot of hard work. The river may have been busier due to the Summer period, so there were numerous canoes and tour boats which we had to avoid. Along the way we passed plenty of small villages and saw a number of castles on the hillsides.
In total it took us around 2.5 hours to complete the journey back to base...without any stops.
I would suggest going in your swimming trunks and taking a packed lunch/picnic - this way you can stop somewhere on route and enjoy a quick dip and a bite to eat. Definitely opt for the plastic container to keep your personal belongings dry.
A trip worth taking and something we would do again.
We booked online a few days in advance and opted for the 12km route from Cénac to Beynac. The staff were very helpful upon reaching the check-in location, and soon we were being driven to the starting location of our chosen route.
The canoe journey was fun, picturesque, but also a lot of hard work. The river may have been busier due to the Summer period, so there were numerous canoes and tour boats which we had to avoid. Along the way we passed plenty of small villages and saw a number of castles on the hillsides.
In total it took us around 2.5 hours to complete the journey back to base...without any stops.
I would suggest going in your swimming trunks and taking a packed lunch/picnic - this way you can stop somewhere on route and enjoy a quick dip and a bite to eat. Definitely opt for the plastic container to keep your personal belongings dry.
A trip worth taking and something we would do again.
Written 17 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CraigS190819
Newcastle-under-Lyme, UK39 contributions
Easy to book, really replaced and very helpful on site. We could not have asked for more. We booked the cenac to beynac option that (with 3 little stops for food and beer) took 4 hours. We went with the current and hardly paddled … so relaxing. We booked this option as it was one that took us to the start we canoed back at your own pace to arrive any time
Before 5.00. It was definitely the right option. All in all it was a lovely day floating past a beautiful part of the world. We would definitely do it again if we came back.
Before 5.00. It was definitely the right option. All in all it was a lovely day floating past a beautiful part of the world. We would definitely do it again if we came back.
Written 17 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SquidJamHead
London, England81 contributions
Jul 2023
Helpful and friendly staff. Canoes were more comfortable and lighter than ones we've used with other companies. They have a back rest which makes a huge difference! We also like how you are transported to the start point first, and can make your way at your own pace without a deadline to be back at the finish point. Driver was good and van comfortable.
Written 3 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pe G
3 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Departure scheduled for 11 a.m. with request to be at the departure location by 10:30 a.m. Actual departure by bus at 11:10 a.m. So 3/4 hour wait. Then arrival at VITRAC at 11:50 a.m. and time to get ready for another wait because there were many of us on the bus. Result for a scheduled departure at 11 a.m. actual departure on the water at 12:15 p.m....a route given for 3 hours with return required by 5 p.m. at the latest. From the start of the chain from the bus to the first strokes of the paddles, the process is very well established, the cattle just have to follow. Canoe business.

Written 9 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ibby H
3 contributions
Hello, we made a booking for Monday but we realised that we are 2 hours away from the destination. We have tried to call and email various times about a refund and have had no reply. I am happy to change the review if this is resolved, the booking was made under Sharon Hearn. I look forward to hearing from you.
Written 20 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anthony M
Auxerre, France56 contributions
Friendly welcome and efficient service! Bus shuttle and top organization! Check-out of the ride is at a fixed time but we take all the time necessary to make its descent at its own pace. Many small beaches and snack for small breaks. A great time with your family! Dogs are accepted on canoes.
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Written 24 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie C
Nottingham, UK22 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
We are staying on holiday near les milandes and saw canoes butterfly. We made enquiries the day before our trip just in case we needed to book. They took our name and start time but didn't need payment until we hired the canoe. On the day we drove to the large car park and parked in the shade. We took out the small amount of items we needed for the day. At the cabin we paid for a 3 person canoe and a box to put our belongings in. We didn't have to pay any deposit. We could pay by cash or card. We then waited about 5 minutes and a large bus took us to vitrac this would give us 16km of river back to where we started. You could choose 5km or 25km also. When we got off the bus we gave our receipt to the guy who spoke perfect English, and he fitted us with life jackets and gave us our box. We could also choose our oars. We were then taken to the river to the boat where he gave us a push off the side. We were told our return point was on the left bank after the 5th bridge. We had no time limit as long as we returned the canoe before they closed. There were several places to pull in along the bank if we wanted to stop and you can get in the water if you wanted too. It was even quite bearable. Just watch the currant. Great views of the castle at Beynac. There were snack bars and toilets if you needed them on the way. Part way down the river there was a man in the river taking photos if you wanted to buy them so take some change. We are here for 2 weeks so we are planning to go again next week
Written 28 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking some time to write a comment about Canoës Butterfly.
See you again.
Written 7 August 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
sierradante15
Veyrines-De-Domme, France24 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
We went on a 5-hr canoe ride, stopped for lunch at La Guiguette for a fab duck meal, then canoed to La Roque, stopped for ice cream, then finished at Butterfly Canoe. The service was friendly & efficient. We will be using their service again every year:-)
Written 21 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thansk you for your feedback about your experience at Canoes Butterfly. See you next year then.
Written 24 May 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kalkan White
Kalkan, Türkiye11,992 contributions
This 2 hour canoe trip down the beautiful Dordogne is well worth 20 Euro’s per person.
Well organised, safe & really good fun.
Well organised, safe & really good fun.
Written 15 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matt W
Newcastle-under-Lyme, UK5 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Nice trip only spoilt really by the literally hundreds of other people doing the same thing up and down the river. Well organised and decent value for money so.would recommend it
Written 16 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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