France


River Ardeche (Southern France)

Location

Pont D’arc is rather famous so easy to find.

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Grid ref

No idea

Features

What can I say. Its like Durdle Door (Dorset) but bigger and some say the water is calmer/warmer……..

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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.

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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.

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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)

The ancient walled town of Domme is just visible at the top of the hill in the background of this photo

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)

 

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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

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Features

  • Easy access from a kayak, deep and shallow water and cliffs……

Hazards

  • Kayaks

Date

  • August 2016

 

River Dordogne (Le Port)

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Attendees of Swim the Dor (doyne) 2016

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.)

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Grid ref

  • No idea

Features

  • Like being in heaven!

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Hazards

  • Kayaks, people and the sun!

Date of swim

  • 28th August 2015 and July 2018

 

With Stephen and Ben.


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)

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Why does the Dordogne get all the attention? Its turns out there is another river in the area!

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