On the water: canoeing, kayaking and swimming on the Dordogne

Rental companies drop you upstream and you paddle back down at your own pace: from Vitrac, allow about 12 km to Castelnaud and 16 km to Beynac. Along the way you pass Domme on its cliff, La Roque-Gageac, then the castles of La Malartrie, Castelnaud, Fayrac and Beynac. In summer the current is gentle and no experience is needed; you just need to be able to swim.

About ten minutes from the villa, Caudon beach offers a patch of sand on the banks of the Dordogne, with a view of the cliffs. Perfect for a picnic and a refreshing swim. Please note: swimming in the river is not always supervised and the current can be strong in places; ask locally and keep an eye on the children.

In the Beune valley, between Sarlat, Montignac and Les Eyzies, Tamniès lake is set up for a family day out: beach, playground, picnic tables, refreshment stand and fishing pontoon. Swimming is supervised in the afternoons in July and August.

Narrower and calmer than the Dordogne, the Vézère winds between the great limestone cliffs of the prehistory valley. Rental companies in Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, Les Eyzies or Le Bugue offer routes from a few kilometres to a whole day, perfect with children. From the water you can see La Roque Saint-Christophe and its shelters carved into the rock.

South of Sarlat, in the Céou valley, the river forms a wide, deep pool below an old mill near Daglan, with small waterfalls and a shaded picnic area. A simple, family-friendly spot for wild swimming, away from the bustle of the Dordogne. Free access; swimming is not supervised and the river rises quickly after heavy rain, so check locally before you swim.