Canoeing or paddleboarding in the Gers

Gers is a rural and authentic region, a natural treasure in the heart of Gascony. Its colorful landscapes, like a patchwork quilt, are crisscrossed by numerous rivers perfect for paddling. Hop aboard a canoe and join us as we paddle to discover the region's flora and fauna. Shall we go?

Canoeing, a fun and sporty activity to enjoy in the Gers region

There are many ways to get around in the Gers region. On foot, by bike, on horseback, even by motorcycle. This summer, we opted for canoeing and kayaking, a light and sleek craft perfect for navigating the waters. With friends, family, and children, you'll experience moments of laughter, sharing, and connection on the lakes and rivers of the Gers, surrounded by magnificent Gers landscapes. For a morning, a day, or just a few hours, grab your paddle and head out alone or with a partner under the region's gentle sun. Numerous small islands dot the waterways, ideal for a well-deserved break or enjoying a picnic in the heart of nature.

Stand-up paddleboarding, a water sport to discover in the Gers region

If you prefer to stand up and paddle, Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) is for you. Using a wide, surfboard-style board, the only way to move forward is by paddling with a single paddle, which you can switch from side to side depending on your energy level. Ideal on calm waters like rivers and lakes, this activity can also be practiced on whitewater, provided you are experienced. Accessible to everyone, it's best to know how to swim before trying Stand-Up Paddleboarding, and to start with a short course. Discover the Gers region in a fun way, alone or with others, and relax on your board for a relaxing break.

Canoeing on the lakes of Gers

You've chosen the lakes for canoeing. That's a great idea ; let us point you to the ideal spots for a wonderful day out.

• The Castéra-Verduzan leisure centre, 20 minutes south of Condom, is formed by the Auloue, a 7-hectare wooded area where you can paddleboard and canoe before going for a swim.

• The Saramon leisure centre, near Samatan, is a natural and preserved rural site open in summer to enjoy outdoor water activities in the heart of the countryside.
• Lake Thoux - Saint Cricq, just a few minutes from Cologne, offers a rolling, verdant landscape with 64 hectares of fish-filled water. Ideal for nature lovers, treat yourself to a canoe trip.
• Lake Gimone is an exceptional body of water with magnificent views of the Pyrenees. Spanning 250 hectares and stretching 6 km in length, it offers the chance to paddle freely at the crossroads of Gascony, Comminges, and Magnoac.

• Lake Lacoste, with a 4 km perimeter, covers an area of 10 hectares and features a fine sandy beach. Enjoy safe and calm boating in a beautiful wooded setting.
•  Lake of Isle Jourdain, at the gates of Toulouse, is a 25-hectare body of water generated by the Save river, around which are installed a tennis court, a mini-golf course and a children's playground.

• Lake Uby in Cazaubon, in the heart of the Uby Valley, is a truly special place. Enjoy canoeing or paddleboarding on its 80 hectares before relaxing in the large, shaded park.

• The small lake of Aignan, in the middle of a 300-hectare forest, is ideal for enjoying the pleasures of water and sunbathing in a wooded valley.
• The O'Gliss water sports centre in Marciac offers canoe, paddleboard and even giant paddleboard rentals accessible to up to 10 people for even more fun, 15 minutes from Maubourguet.
• The Es Calavès leisure centre, 3 km from Saint-Clar, is supplied by several springs and rivers, bringing pure and clear water which forms a hill lake where canoeing can be practiced.

As you've noticed, there are plenty of places to enjoy your favorite activity. So grab your caps and paddles, it's time to paddle in the Gers.

Canoeing on the Save and Gesse rivers

In Gascony, there are two main rivers on which you can paddle : the Save and the Gesse. Each has its own unique characteristics. The Save, for example, stretches for 144 km from the Lannemezan plateau to Grenade-sur-Garonne, where it flows into the Garonne. Calm and wild, it is ideal for introductory canoe trips and relaxing journeys amidst captivating flora and fauna.

The Gesse River is 52 km long and rises on the same plateau, fed by the Neste Canal. More lively than the Save, it's perfect for sporty types looking for a more active paddling experience. Observe the aerial ballet of birds — kingfishers, buzzards, grey herons —among the poplars, alders, and acacias. Experience a pure moment of emotion and escape with family or friends during a canoe trip down the rivers of Gascony.

Paddling on the Baïse river in the Gers region

The Baïse, a 190 km river in southern France, flows through three departments : Hautes-Pyrénées, Gers, and Lot-et-Garonne. Navigable from April to October, by boat or canoe, it was once used for transporting goods, notably Armagnac. On this idyllic waterway, travel from lock to lock, departing from Mirande or Condom, in canoes and kayaks suitable for one or two people. Pack a picnic, seal your dry bag, and put on your life jackets for a leisurely paddle down the river, a calm and shaded route that's pleasant in the warmer months. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the choice is yours.

Navigating the Arros river in the Gers region

The Arros is a 130 km river that rises in the commune of Esparros and flows through the Gers department before joining the Adour River. Surrounded by nature, on clear, crystalline water, set off from Plaisance-du-Gers for a peaceful canoe trip that's well worth the detour. Paddle for a few kilometers and take a well-deserved break on a small beach to enjoy the moment. Swimming, dipping your toes in the water, and enjoying lunch in the tranquility of the river – you'll love sharing this fun and special moment with family or friends. Close your eyes, listen to the birds, the sound of the water and the wind in the leaves, and simply escape aboard a canoe on the Arros.

Paddling on the Gers, an ideal river for canoeing

The Gers is a river in southwestern France that rises in Lannemezan, in the Hautes-Pyrénées department, and flows into the Garonne south of Agen. With its wooded landscape and clear waters, it offers a unique and magnificent setting for tourists and sports enthusiasts who wish to explore the region by paddle. At the Saint-Geny bridge, below Lectoure, rent a canoe or kayak for an exhilarating descent of the Gers, a lively and wild river that will surprise even the most adventurous paddlers. Take advantage of the warmer weather to cool off on the water, along a shaded and natural stretch where flora and fauna thrive along the banks. Alone or with a partner, paddle gently to fully appreciate the experience.

After a great day of paddling, you've arrived back at the dock. Recharge your batteries before heading out for new canoe or stand-up paddle adventures in the Gers ; you now have all the addresses you need to have fun every day of the summer.

Did you enjoy our article? Find more in our Top Experiences section.

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