The nautical pastimes on the Rivers of Western France

Enjoy peaceful pastimes on the water by canoe, stand-up paddleboard, or pedalo – or get your kicks by water skiing or foilboarding! Explore the course of the river by licence-free boat during a tour or a day-long excursion. The athletes among you can make their way to a leisure base to try out one of the many water and outdoor activities.

Touring on a licence-free electric boat

Whether for a tour of a couple of hours or a whole day, an electric boat is an ideal craft for exploring independently and learning about riverboating on the Rivers of Western France.  A silent boat that's easy to manoeuvre Since they are easier to pilot than a cabin cruiser, a licence-free electric boat is a great alternative for learning to navigate rivers by boat. Depending on the capacity of the craft, electric boats can easily fit four or five passengers, sometimes even more. Escape for a tour or an excursion and make the most of your cruise. Pack a picknick and enjoy a meal on board! Whether it be the river Sarthe, Maine, or Mayenne, these small electric crafts, whose maximum speed is 6 km/h (3mph), are ideal for embarking on a new adventure with the whole family.  

Canoeing-kayaking of the Rivers of Western France

Whether by canoe or kayak, these lightweight and silent boats are ideal for exploring the river landscapes and to observe the flora and fauna along the embankments. How do you canoe or kayak? Canoeing-kayaking is a pastime that is accessible to anyone and easy to learn. Choose between two types of boat: a canoe or a kayak. Depending on the model, you will paddle alone or with one or two other people in the same boat.  The difference between a canoe and a kayak lies in the seating position and the kind of paddle used. In a canoe, you will kneel while using a single paddles, while in a kayak you will sit and row with a double paddle.  To canoe-kayak, it is of utmost importance that you are a swimmer, wear a life-vest (obligatory) and wear appropriate clothing. Canoe-kayak rental agencies will give you the safety instructions and let you know which routes are appropriate for your skill level. If you are a beginner, why not to choose a trip that is supervised by a trained instructor? Regardless of skill level, never approach the dams and always respect the safety distance of 50 metres (55 yards) upstream as well as downstream.

There are plenty of things to do at a leisure centre

Situated on the riverbanks, leisure centres offer a large choice of nautical and open-air activities. River or cycling tours, children’s games, pedalos, orientation trails: there will be something for the whole family to enjoy! Have an adventure on the Rivers of Western France The leisure centres organise various sports activities with the option of spending the night onsite in outdoor accommodation. These activities are open to everyone and can either be attempted alone or under the supervision of an instructor. Activities on the water  Make your way to a water sports or outdoor centre to rent a canoe-kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or a pedalo! If it is comfort that you’re after, opt for a licence-free electric boat or mini-barge to cruise along the river. And why not continue on land by bike or e-Scooter on the towpath? The athletes among you will be able to combine water sports with outdoor activities on the same day.  

Enjoy yourself on the water

Would you like to try out recreational water sports on a river or lake? Be it stand-up paddleboarding, water skiing or foilboarding with electric controls: discover the many recreational water sports offered on the Rivers of Western France.  Learning to stand-up paddleboard A very popular sport in France, stand-up paddleboarders, paddle while standing upright on their boards. This calm activity can be picked up as easily as canoeing-kayaking and holds in store many enjoyable experiences. Some boards are suitable for two paddlers, with some giant boards even able to accommodate eight people!  Whether calm or energetic, a session of stand-up paddleboarding usually lasts between 30 minutes and two hours according to your preferences and skill level. You can try out stand-up paddleboarding on a river, but also on other bodies of water such as the Maine lake or the Gémerie lake. This fun watercraft is suitable for children from 8 years of age.   