You will be canoeing and camping in the beautiful Massif Central area of southern central France, paddling the crystal-clear waters and the stunning gorges of the rivers Célé and Tarn. As part of this journey, you will meander your way down steep gorges, under shady trees and beneath towering limestone cliffs, all on a friendly river with a gentle current and bubbling rapids. You will take in quaint old villages built into the cliffs, immerse yourself in the local culture and visit prehistoric caves and caverns.
We will be paddling 16-foot open canoes and camping at riverside campsites. Each canoe will be paddled by two explorers and the group led by experienced paddlers. You will learn how to read the river, paddle moving water and some fun bouncy rapids on the Tarn.
When are we going?
We will be going during the summer holiday; proposed dates are 22 – 31 July 2023.
You will need to attend two training weekends and two training days before we go, when you will learn to work as a team and practice some paddling skills on flat water and moving water. We will let you know the dates when we confirm your place.
We will be holding Wednesday evening practice sessions on flat water throughout April to July to learn safety and rescue skills and improve your paddling technique.
Who can go?
Explorers and Network members between 14 and 25 years old on the date of departure can apply. We can take a maximum of 14 participants. If more than 14 people apply, there will be a selection day in mid-January.
To take part in this trip, you need to be willing to paddle a canoe for long periods and up to 15km per day.
What will it be like?
The Célé offers a combination of a stunning location, easy paddling and riverside camp sites, meaning it is the perfect introduction to multi-day canoe camping in the sun. There will be the odd weir to portage or descend by glissière.
The Gorge du Tarn offers great moving water paddling in one of the most beautiful gorges in France. Mostly, the paddling is between grade 1 and grade 2 which offers a really engaging run in this stunning gorge and will give you some of the best paddling you will find in the Massif.
When we arrive at the campsite at the end of each day, there will be time to go swimming, to explore the medieval villages or just relax. You will be involved in planning our route and the portages.
You will be sleeping in tents at riverside campsites along the way.
What will we eat?
We will decide what to cook and eat whilst on our trip, including meals, snacks and drinks. We will shop in the local towns and villages and cook on camping stoves or BBQ’s. Any dietary requirements will be catered for.
What equipment and clothing do I need?
You will need to take a sleeping bag, sleeping mat and clothing for this trip, including a lightweight waterproof jacket. The clothing that you already have for camping and walking will be fine. The only specialist equipment you will need is a dry bag to carry your clothing, sleeping bag and personal kit in the canoe.
We will talk about any equipment needs during the training weekends and give you advice if needed.
Proposed Trip Itinerary
Day 1 – Flight to Toulouse. Evening arrival at Brengues Campsite on the Célé.
Day 2 – Paddle from Espagnac to Marcihac campsite (14km).
Day 3 – Paddle to Cabrerets campsite (18km).
Day 4 – Pech Merle Caves visit. Paddle to Bouzies (6km). Camping at Carjarc.
Day 5 – Minibus transfer to the river Tarn, camping at Montbrun.
Day 6 – Paddle Montbrun to Saint Enimie (10 km). Camping at Couderc.
Day 7 – Paddle to La Malene (14km).
Day 8 – Paddle to Pas du Souci (10km). Camp At Blaquiere.
Day 9 – Visit to the small town of Millau and the famous Viaduc de Millau.
Day 10 – Airport drop off and return home.
Scouting for All
This adventure is open to all and it is important that everyone has the opportunity to participate. If you would like to join this expedition but experience challenges that make it more difficult for you to participate, please contact Lynne to discuss your circumstances. Various options for financial support are available and we will help participants organise fundraising events to help cover costs.
What will it cost?
The cost of the trip will be £1,385.
This includes:
- Canoe, canoe kit, paddle and buoyancy aid hire
- Camping equipment hire, including tents and cool boxes
- Flights and transfers
- All meals during the trip
- Onshore activities and sightseeing
- Scout insurance
- 2 weekend training events, 2 training days and evening sessions
- Expedition T-shirt, necker and badge
You will also need to pay for:
- Optional branded merchandise (T shirt, sweatshirt, etc.)
- A little spending money
When do we need to pay?
We need a deposit of £350 in January 2023 and recommend that this is followed by five monthly payments of £207, however if this is a challenge for you, please talk to us in confidence as there is some flexibility and things we can do to assist with the cost of the trip.
Alternative payment plans can be agreed to suit your circumstances but to ensure we can book flights and secure the canoe and camping equipment, we will need:
- Deposit (non-refundable) – £350 by 31 January 2023
- Payment 1 – £207 by 28 February 2023
- Payment 2 – £207 by 31 March 2023
- Payment 3 – £207 by 30 April 2023
- Payment 4 – £207 by 31 May 2023
Once a payment is made, it is non-refundable. If you need to drop out of the trip, we may be able to reclaim some of the money for you, providing we can find someone else to replace you.
Who will be our leaders?
Lynne Percival – Expedition Leader
Lynne is a keen paddler and an experienced wild camper and canoe expeditioner. She is also a paddlesports leader at the Anderton Centre and a member of the County water activities team, SplAShU as well as being an Explorer Leader in Chorley.
Jonny Williams – Deputy Expedition Leader
Jonny has been paddling on and off for 45 years. An experienced sea kayaker and expeditioner, he is looking forward to the “warmth” of central France.
Liam Chow – Leader
Liam is 22 years old and started his scouting in Beavers. He is currently the ADC for Network in Blackpool and a member of the county cub team. Liam is experienced in international trips having been to the 2015 WSJ in Japan and as an assistant leader to Kandersteg in 2019.
Liam is looking forward to enhancing his canoeing skills and enjoying the spectacular scenery of the Célé and Gorges du Tarn.
Andy Neville – Leader
Andy has been a scout since joining 1st Bispham as a Beaver scout and, after working his way through the sections he joined the executive committee to help with the running of the group. He now spends a lot of his time at Waddecar where he is on the service crew and a member of the management team.
Andy has been to two jamborees as staff as well as five Red Rose camps. He hopes to bring some of his experience from these events to this trip.
Want to apply?
If you will be aged 14-25 when we set off and would like to join our expedition for an amazing experience, fill in the application form by 31 January 2023.
Further information
If you need any further information or have any questions, please contact Lynne or Jonny.
Email – lynne.percival@westlancsscouts.org.uk
Lynne – 07717543784