Water World !

The water swirls in rushes and splashes around the huge blocks of granite. It’s ten in the morning of a beautiful day beside the Allier gorges. Fully kitted out we push our canoe into the water and off we go for 3 hours of pure pleasure in a magnificent natural setting. Welcome to one of the most unspoiled rivers in Europe, where the salmon has returned to spawn after a journey of thousands of kilometres. After an impressive view of basalt organs and granite cliffs carved deeply by the impetuous waters, we round a bend in the river and pause to stare at a romanesque church at the waterside. Perched high above lies the village. This unforgettable experience is accessible to anyone. You have a wide choice of services offering descents by canoe or raft. For information call +33 (0) 471 772 830. Plenty of information about canoeing and kayaking in Auvergne on www.crck.org/auvergne .

In Limousin, the Vézère river is one of the most beautiful places in France for canoeing and kayaking. Indeed, the upper Vézère hosted the world championships for the sport in 1959 and again in the year 2000. The middle stretch is calmer and suitable for families, with luxuriant tunnels of greenery, pastures where cows gaze at the passing canoes, moss-covered rocks and magical light effects of sunlight filtering through the trees. But beware of the Rigole du diable or “Devil’s run”, in the Creuse department: Lucifer is said to have hurled two huge rocks into the water to separate two lovers. The place is well-named: for skilled canoeists only! You can find all the information you need about canoeing and kayaking in Limousin on www.canoe-limousin.com .

Or perhaps you prefer canyoning? In that case you’ll be pleased to know there are some excellent descents in the Cantal, such as the Lespinasse canyon, at La Brome and in the Impradine gorges. In the Lozère department you can also go canyoning in the upper Tarn gorges. Not too narrow, this is the place for those who haven’t tried it yet to discover the sport at an easy pace. Clear waters, giants’ cauldrons, splendid eroded slabs and blocks of granite. The descent is enlivened by leaps, swims, Tyrolean traverses and toboggans. The Tarn gorges are wonderful for canoeing and kayaking, with beautiful stretches from Sainte-Énimie to Beaumes-Basses. Day outings possible, or for those who want more, 2 or 3 days (up to 40 km). Trips possible with overnight camps using natural shelters or tents.

Fishing galore: All the specialists agree that the rivers and lakes in the Massif Central present some of the best “spots” in France for fishing. From fly-fishing to night fishing for carp, not forgetting fishing through a hole in the ice of a frozen lake in winter - everything is possible. The streams in the Bourbon Mountains, the river Sioule and the upper Cher gorges are classified as 1st category fishing sites. The magnificent ponds in the Tronçais forest, in the Allier department, are home to very large carp. These stretches of water are rich in predatory fish. Char can be caught in the very deep lakes, such as the famous Pavin lake, in the Puy-de-Dôme, while the upper Allier gorges between Langogne and Pontd’Alleyras are a favourite place for trout of excellent size. More information available on www.auvergne-tourisme.info .

With 11,000 km of 1st category rivers and 700 in the 2nd, 39 reservoirs and 4,400 ponds, the fishing resources of the Limousin are exceptional. The upper and lower Dordogne, the Millevaches Plateau, the Corrèze, Vienne, Vézère, Creuse or Gartempe rivers allow a wide variety of fishing techniques to be used (flyfishing, ultra-light spinning, bite, drop-minnow fishing, still fishing and match fishing, etc). In Limousin cockerels are raised especially for the fisherman. Their rare and lovely feathers are used to make artificial flies that are in demand by fishermen all over the world. All year round the Saint-Pardoux lake has wonderful surprises in store for you: predatory fish, roach, black bass, etc, while Vassivière lake is one of the biggest (1,000 ha) and most beautiful in France. Well-developed populations of pike can be found here, and Vassivière is above all renowned for its walleye pike. Every year there are magnificent catches, especially of very large perch. To find out more, go to www.tourismelimousin.com .

The Lozère is the department in France with the most rivers, offering no less than 2,000 km of rivers considered as 1st category. The most interesting stretches are to be found on the Lot, the Altier which has such remarkably clear water, and the Chassezac, which in some places requires mastery of abseiling and canyoning techniques. Not forgetting, of course, the magnificent and unspoilt Allier river. For information and useful addresses, try: www.lozerepeche.com .