CANOE or KAYAK in Picardy

With 4,500km of inland waterways and a magnificent coastline, it should come as no surprise that canoeing and kayaking are a favourite sport in Picardy which the whole family can enjoy.

Not to be forgotten too is the fact that Robert Louis Stevenson’s first chronicled trip, “An Inland Voyage”, involves canoeing on the River Oise!

The River Oise

The river begins life near the Belgium border, flowing through the Aisne before reaching the Oise County to which it lends its name.  Here in the Aisne, the river rushes through lush green woods of alder and willow. You’ll glimpse herons in flight, moorhens, ducks and kingfishers.

Click here for more information about canoeing in the Aisne. You can also check out the following organisations:

Guise Canoe Club

Cité Gaspard

02120 Guise

Tel: 00 33 (0)3 23 61 36 70

Escapism Canoe-Kayak Club

Base du bord de l’Oise

02580 Autreppes

Tel: 00 33 (0)3 23 97 42 90  or  00 33 (0)6 79 04 41 34 (mobile)

Website: www.canoesurloise.com/CANOE_WEB/FR/Accueil.htm

Explore the Somme Bay by kayak - and meet the local seals

The Somme Bay (voted as one of the world’s most beautiful bays) is actually twinned with Rye in 1066 country in England.  The Bay offers a 72km coastline, and is noted for its beauty and protection of wildlife habitats and vegetation. Tides play an important role in the way in which humans, animals and plant life survive and thrive. At low tide, the sea goes out some 14km from Saint-Valery-sur-Somme.

Trips around the Baie de Somme

The Baie des Phoques Club (Bay of the Seals) organises various kayaking trips around the bay where a colony of brown seals thrive and are growing in number. No prior kayaking experience is needed as you’ll be shown the ropes; a qualified coach accompanies the party. Anyone aged 7 or over is welcome provided you know how to swim.

Just click to find out more about the Baie des Phoques Club and about the trips around the Bay that they organize.

Baie des PhoquesClub de Kayak de Mer et de Va'a de la Baie des Phoques

(Affilié à la Fédération Française de Canoë Kayak)

23, rue de la Ferté

80230  Saint-Valery-sur-Somme

Tel: 00 33 (0)3 22 60 08 44

Fax. 00 33 (0)3  22 60 08 44

E-mail: contact@baiedesphoques.org 

Want to learn how to canoe?

Here are links to associations or clubs where you can rent or be taught how to canoe:

http://www.thierache-sport-nature.com/  (AISNE)

http://perso.orange.fr/ckpachauny/index.html (AISNE)

http://iatrino.chez-alice.fr/ckct/ (OISE)

http://www.loeuilly-canoekayak.com/topic/index.html (SOMME)