The 15 Canoes & Kayaks Tours in France That Earn Their Price

1.Côte Bleue Calanques Half-Day Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 877 reviews · 3 hours · from $64Our pick

Kayak Marseille’s Côte Bleue calanques from Estaque toward Carry-le-Rouet with a certified guide, swim stop, and sea views.

“I really liked the activity and the guide and will do the kayak tour again next time I go to Marseille”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Calanques Catamaran Tour & Standup Paddle

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 411 reviews · 3 - 4 hours · from $93

A 3-4 hour catamaran from Marseille’s Vieux-Port with snorkel, stand-up paddle, and roof jumps around Frioul and Château d’If.

“The guides provided some cool history and drinks along the way, views were amazing!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Montpezat: Canoe and kayak rental in the Verdon Gorges

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 361 reviews · 3 - 6 hours · from $20Best value

Paddle the Verdon Gorges from Montpezat with Aquattitude. Rent a kayak or canoe for the Baudinard Canyon and calm lakes.

“My husband and I were greeted in arrival and the guide was very helpful. The gorge is beautiful and we had a great time kayaking. Would recommend this company.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Sarlat la Canéda: The Dordogne valley by canoe

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 297 reviews · 2 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $29.04

Canoe the Dordogne from Vitrac, self-paced for hours. Castles, cliffs, wildlife, and optional swims, with English help and easy logistics.

“A fantastic way to see the Dordogne river, towns and castles. The operator was really easy to deal with, we picked up the canoes from them and then once finished they drop you back to the starting point. Highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Saint-Tropez: Kayak Experience in Ramatuelle Reserve

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 280 reviews · 3 hours · from $70

3 hours of kayaking off Pampelonne, a Port-Cros snorkel stop, and an optional 3-metre cliff jump, led in English or French.

“Such an amazing experience! Have never done kayaking before and really loved it. The instructor was great and very patient (we capsized our canoe twice)! Beautiful scenarios. Highly recommended!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.3 Hour of Sea Kayak Trip in the Creeks of Sete

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 220 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $60.49

Paddle Sète’s coastline and canals on a 3-hour sea kayak trip with friendly English-speaking guides, family-friendly rules, and included gear.

“L’accueil très sympathique et le côté ludique de l’activité ainsi que la découverte du littoral depuis la mer. Merci à notre top accompagnant Sylvain.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.From Vitrac: Dordogne River Canoe Rental

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 162 reviews · 3 hours · from $34

Self-guided 3-hour Dordogne canoe from Domme to Beynac for castle views, picnic stops, wildlife, and an easy shuttle return.

“Wonderful day on the beautiful Dordogne! Everything was perfect!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Porticcio: Guiding Kayaking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 147 reviews · 3 hours · from $51

Kayak Corsica’s south coast from Isolella, swim near Sette e Nave, and paddle past a Genovese tower on a 3-hour guided tour.

“Globalement bonne activité, belle rando en kayak, dommage pour le manque d’explications lors de la visite guidée du littoral.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Kayak Tour at Calanques National Park (Ciotat)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 124 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $82.18

Paddle La Ciotat’s coast in a real sea kayak to the Calanques highlights, with great guides, clear water, and easy logistics.

“Nous avons adoré notre expérience en kayak aux Calanques. Notre guide, Raphaëlle, était sympathique et tout simplement excellente. Elle a su mettre tous les participants à l'aise en leur fournissant le soutien requis en fonction de leur niveau.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Lérins Islands Sailing Discovery, snorkeling and paddle SUP

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 110 reviews · 3h 30m · from $100

3.5-hour sail from Antibes to Fort Royal for snorkeling and paddle SUP, with a hands-on skipper and nature history on the Lérins Islands.

“This was an amazing experience! The captain was very personable, and the trip was well worth the price. Getting to see the sights from Ile Sainte-Marguerite and Cannes in the afternoon sun were splendid. The time for swimming and snorkeling near the underwater statues was so enjoyable, and if we came back to this location, we would love to do this again!”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Sea kayak tour: Sète, the French pearl of the Mediterranean

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 90 reviews · 2h 30m · from $64

Paddle along Sète’s Corniche and marine caves with clear coaching and local history. 150 minutes, gear included, great value.

“Wonderful outing with Olivier, he gave good instructions, fun kayak along the coast and through caves. Some history information about the local area. So good to see Sete from the water.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Guided kayak excursion in creeks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 89 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $66.52

Kayak Marseille calanques from Estaque to Carry-le-Rouet. Gear provided, English guide, swim stop, active 3-hour workout.

“Thank you Loup and Juliette for a fantastic activity morning. Shame the storm came in towards the end but ce la vie. Everyone was in good spirits about it. Excellent information about the monuments and ruins, and we had a good laugh with the creek, jellyfish, and rock jumping. Thank you 😊”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Guided sea kayak trip in Cap d’Agde

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 87 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $54.31Top rated

Guided sea kayaking in Cap d’Agde with Nathan, marine stories, volcanic cliffs, black sand at Grande Conque, plus possible snorkeling.

“A small hourly error faced by a professional who confused himself in excuses and proposed various solutions then a canoe ride with this same passionate and very invested person, sharing a moment under his accompaniment is more than desirable go there with your eyes closedAuto-translated”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Family Canoe/Kayak Trip on the Ardèche: 3 hours – about 12 km

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 82 reviews · 3 hours · from $42

Family-friendly Ardèche canoe or kayak descent from Mazes plain: 3 hours, slides, calm swims, Pont d'Arc pass, shaded parking.

“Super activité le personnel sympathique et la descente en canoë c'est super bien passé”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Sea kayaking in the heart of the Ramatuelle Nature Reserve

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 81 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $72.41

Sea kayaking and guided hiking in Ramatuelle Nature Reserve, with crystal waters, snorkeling, and optional rock jumping near Saint-Tropez.

“Nous avons été très bien accueillis par l’ensemble de l’équipe et avons apprécié le site d’une beauté rare ! Merci particulier à Marco qui a rendu ce moment particulièrement intéressant !”

Check availability →Read our full review