![]() Although the flow is quite fast in places, there are also stretches where I need to paddle consistently to avoid coming to a complete stop. There are no rapids, no whitewater challenges. It’s almost 40 kilometres in total which seems like a good stretch of the river, even if it’s less than ten per cent. I’m spending two days kayaking along the Dordogne – from the town of Meyronne to Groléjac. But the river provides a natural and special way to explore. While this region is popular with tourists, most stay on the land. The name alone evokes a romantic notion of French rustic charm with grand castles and lush nature. I’m on the Dordogne River in the south of France – a waterway of about 500 kilometres that reaches the sea near Bordeaux. But, then again, it’s not that often that I have the opportunity to kayak with scenery like this. ![]() This garden is divided by six regions of France, where Colette spent time throughout her very colour life.At times I wonder if I’m doing more floating than paddling. Beautiful, ample and colourful this garden reflects her life. A woman ahead her time indeed! Married at 13 years old and divorced three times among other affairs. Mansions, but was in the gardens where she spent much of Nicknamed “The Wanderer ”, she lived in different regions, Colette led a rich life of encounters and many risque experiences for her time. Les Jardins de Colette, is about 15 minutes away from the airport, situated in Varetz, is a great way to start exploring the area and ‘meet’ the first woman in this French adventure in the Dordogne: Colette, a Belle Epoque French novelist, the writer of the famous books that turned in to Hollywood blockbusters, Gigi and most recently Cheri. This adventure started in the commune of Varetz, 15 minutes drive from Brive airport. Fresh organic and often homemade foies-gras is certainly on the menu very often, more about that later. The food and drink is one of the attractions of this region, from lively markets, equally beautiful produce to Michelin star restaurants in the area. This area hasn’t been industrialised and that explains the unspoiled and beautiful verdant countryside. The Lot, Correze and The Dordogne departments share a lot of history and traditions apart from the geography. Here is the map to help out location-wise:Īnyway, back to the Dordogne, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, geographically speaking, has a variety of landscapes, from the steep, narrow valleys of granite uplands, though lime stones plateau with their flat horizons, deep valleys lined with tall cliffs, to fertile, vibrant bright green colour of lush grass and river plains. Getting to the Dordogne is easy from London, it’s one and half hours by plane from Stansted and City Airport landing in Brive – Dordogne Valley airport situated in between three departments, Correze, Lot and Dordogne. They have helped and still to this day shaping the region values, heritage, culture as well as the gastronomic scene. The women in the area, past and present, are of upmost importance. The region is dotted by about 1500 Chateau and Manoir (castles and manor houses). ![]() It roughly corresponds with the ancient county of Périgord. Named after the Dordogne river that runs through it and spread over 6 departments and 4 regions. This is what I dreamed when I was young medieval castles, perfect manicured gardens, beautiful and friendly people, rustic and tranquil farms, a little later in life : Michelin star establishments, plentiful and fresh food with delightful wines to match and a carriage taking me everywhere….Back in May I spent sometime in the Dordogne Valley in southwestern of France, between the Loire Valley and the Pyrenees.
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