River Ardeche (Southern France)
Location
Pont D’arc is rather famous so easy to find.
Grid ref
No idea
Features
What can I say. Its like Durdle Door (Dorset) but bigger and some say the water is calmer/warmer……..
Hazards
Kayaks, people and the sun!
Date of swim
28th August 2015
River Ardeche (Southern France)
Location
Anywhere along the river near Vallon-Pont-d’Arc appears to be excellent for swimming. This spot is next to the campsite adjacent to Mondial Campsite.
Grid ref
No idea
Features
Easy gentle access and plenty of room for swimming once you get into the main river. Some grass for sun-bathing/picnics.
Hazards
Don’t be deceived by the static kayaks in this photos. They come down through the rapids very fast, largely out of control and appear to head for any swimmer in the water.
Date of swim
28th August 2015
River Dordogne
(There are just so many TEN TRUNK swim spots along this river if it wasn’t for all the kayaks it would be a swimmer heaven)
River Dordogne (Rocher de la Cave)
Location
- This spot is adjacent to the campsite of the same name. The nearest village is Lacoste which incidentally has a good pizza place.
Grid Ref
- TBC
Features
- Shallow/deep water, slow/fast water, cliffs and a cave. What more could you want?
Hazards
- Kayaks
Date
- August 2016
River Dordogne (nr Domain de Rochebois)
Location
- I’m not too clear of the location but its upstream of Domme and probably near where the D703 road is closest from the river (although this is above the cliff. We got to the spot by kayak.
Grid Ref
- TBC
Features
- Easy access if you came by kayak, variable depths and high cliffs.
Hazards
- Kayaks
Date
- August 2016
River Dordogne (at Domme le Port)
Location
- Easy access by the bridge which carries the D46 across the river. Maybe 12km south of Sarlat
Grid Ref
- TBC
Features
- Easy access, variable depths, adjacent sunbathing/shelter in shadow of trees opportunities.
Hazards
- Kayaks
Date
- August 2016
River Dordogne (Les Pendoillos)
Location
- Again we got here by kayak so its precise location is uncertain but I think its 3km upstream of La Roque-Gageac
Grid Ref
- TBC
Features
- Easy access from kayak, variable depths, high cliffs and adjacent sunbathing/shelter in shadow of trees opportunities.
Hazards
- Kayaks
Date
- August 2016
River Dordogne (La Roque-Gageac)
Location
- The village of La Roque-Gageac is built partly into the hillside adjacent to the D703 south of Sarlat.
Grid Ref
- TBC
Features
- Its the village built into the cliff which makes this such an attractive place to try to swim.
Hazards
- Its not just an awful lot of kayaks but bigger boats too making this spot quite dangerous for swim even if you stay close to the bank. Its safer to go a little bit further downsteam but then you miss out on the view of the village.
Date
- August 2016
River Dordogne (Rouffillac)
Location
- Adjacent to the village of Rouffillac, c. 2km south of Carlux. Access to the river is by the bridge (on a hot day just follow the crowds).
Grid Ref
- TBC
Features
- Easy access, deep/shallow water and a tree rope swing!
Hazards
- Kayaks
Date
- August 2016
River Dordogne (nr La Vigerie)
Location
- Somewhere near the village of La Vigerie. We came across this spot from kayaks. All I know for sure is that its at least 3km upstream of Rouffillac.
Grid Ref
- TBC
Features
- Easy access from a kayak, deep and shallow water and cliffs……
Hazards
- Kayaks
Date
- August 2016
River Dordogne (Le Port)
Location
- Plenty of swims between the road (D704) bridge and the railway bridge.
Grid Ref
- TBC
Features
- Easy access. Shallow and deep water.
Hazards
- Kayaks
Date
- August 2016
River Gard (Southern France)
Location
- Pont Du Gard. Its really famous. Ask any wild swimmer or archaeologist as they will know it. Its also only 2.5 hours from Luton Airport!! (Near Uzes. Signposted for miles around. Go south on A9, take D981.)
Grid ref
- No idea
Features
- Like being in heaven!
Hazards
- Kayaks, people and the sun!
Date of swim
- 28th August 2015 and July 2018
Pont de la Draille (Lower Gard, south of France)
Location
- Again not that far from Uzes but near to Collias. Too difficult to describe how to find it, but if its a hot day just follow the crowds, park on side of country road and go down narrow track/path to the river.
Grid Ref
- n/a
Features
- Beach. Shade. Shallow water. Deep water. Rocks. Cliffs. (Really a little bit of everything)
Hazards
- Nope.
Date
- July 2018
Pont de Collias (Lower Gard, south of France)
Location
- The village of Collias is the main centre of kayak hire (at least in the late summer) so easy to find. If you go upstream of the bridge over the river there are less kayaks but a lot of people on a hot day.
Grid Ref
- n/a
Features
- Shallow and deep water. Cliffs.
Hazards
- Too many people if you go at the wrong time
Date
- July 2018
River Vezere (joins the Dordoyne)
Location
- Access to the river is down a track from the village of Tursac
Grid Ref
- TBC
Features
- Easy parking and access to the river. You get to swim beneath the cliffs of La Madeleine troglodyte village (see swimming with history page)
Hazards
- None really
Date
- August 2016
Pyrenees
(A FOUR TRUNK location)
Location
Hmm location….. Now you have to remember I was there during the France 98 World Cup and I believe we visited this waterfall around the time of the Argentina game. I think its in the Oueil Valley possibly near Bagneres de Luchon.
Grid Ref
No idea
Features
Refreshing swim with excellent views
Hazards
Refreshing = f***king freezing
Date of Last Swim
June 1998
Pyrenees
(A FOUR TRUNK location with a minus 10 due to coldness)
Location
Hmm location….. Now you have to remember I was there during the France 98 World Cup and I believe we visited this waterfall around the time of the Argentina game. I think its in the Oueil Valley possibly near Bagneres de Luchon as we swam near there on same day (I think)
Grid Ref
No idea
Features
Refreshing swim with excellent views
Hazards
Refreshing = f***king freezing
Date of Last Swim
June 1998
MORE TO COME