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Watersports

White Water Rafting in Burgundy, France
White Water Rafting

The numerous lakes and rivers in the Morvan Forest, the national park in the centre of Burgundy, provide the perfect location for watersports. The rivers such as the Chalaux and Cure are great for canoe-kayaking and white water rafting, while on the lakes, you can sail, canoe, or just potter around on a pedalo.
The rivers Yonne, Cure and Cousin and their tributaries become turbulent watercourses during the winter. Dams and reservoirs have been built to regulate the flow of these rivers and harness the water for hydroelectricity (Chaumeçon and Crescent) and in some cases for drinking water (St-Agnan and Chamboux), creating the six large lakes. They are ideal sporting locations.

Rivers of the Morvan

Click for location

River Chalaux

Canoeing in Burgundy, France
Canoe-kayaking

The European Championship in canoe-kayaking were held on the River Chalaux in July 2005 – one of the best rivers in France for this sport. When the Barrage de Chaumeçon is opened, 5 cu.m/s of water pours out. AB Loisir, based at St-Père-sous-Vézelay organise white water rafting here (accompanied trips, minimum age 16). They can supply the dates of the dam barrier opening.

River Cure

For a more gentle approach, the whole family can go canoe-kayaking, down the Cure river a distance of 8km from Malassis to St-Père, or 18km from Malassis to Semizelles, accompanied or on your own, by arrangement with AB Loisirs at St-Père (special life jackets for children provided).

River Yonne

In summer, AB Loisirs open their base at Armes and offer canoe-kayaking along 8km from Villiers-sur-Yonne to Armes and 18km from Bréves to Armes. This beautiful valley meanders along unspoilt countryside.

Sailing in Burgundy, France
Yachting on the lake

The Lakes of the Morvan

The dams and reservoirs such as Pannecière-Chaumard, Lac des Settons, Cresent, Chaumeçon and St-Agnan provide scenic locations and a variety of watersports. Look out for the ‘base nautique’ signs. Sailing and canoe-kayaking are the most popular with windsurfing on the Lac des Settons. See Lakes of the Morvan


Useful addresses

AUTUN

 

Base Nautique du Moulin du Vallon 03 85 86 95 80
sailing, pedalo, canoe-kayaking

LORMES

 

Etang du Goulot, 03 86 22 85 47
sailing

MONTSAUCHE-LES-SETTONS

 

Base Nautique Activital 03 86 84 51 98
all watersports

AVALLON

 

Loisirs en Morvan 03 86 31 90 10

ST-PERE-SOUS-VEZELAY

 

AB Loisirs 03 86 33 38 38
canoe-kayaking, white water rafting, plus other sports

LAC DES SETTONS & CHAUMEÇON

 

Bases Nautiques 03 86 84 51 98
Chaumeçon windsurfing and all watersports

ST-AGNAN

 

Aquadis 03 86 37 95 83

LORMES

 

Morvan Eaux Vives 03 86 22 86 76

DUN-LES-PLACES

 

Okhéanos Loisirs, Bornoux, 03 86 84 60 61

MONTCHELNOT, BRASSY

 

Tous Azimuts, 03 86 22 28 97