You don’t need to go on a trip to get some thrills on the water and enjoy a nice scenery. For canoeing, the Ile-de-France region (Paris extended region) has many surprises in store. Here is our selection of the best rivers for relaxing canoeing trips less than 2 hours away from Paris.
Canoeing on the Grand Morin River
How far from Paris: 10 min by car, 25 min by train
Length of the river: 118 km
Level: easy (the river is level 1 on the 6 levels of difficulty, 1 being the easiest and 6 the most difficult)
Trip duration: 3 to 4 hours
This spot is located less than a hundred kilometers away from the capital. It is popular with Parisians because it is easily accessible.
The Grand Morin River is a tributary of the Marne and is 120 kilometers long. Therefore it offers great opportunities for canoeing.
The scenery is bucolic, the landscapes change as you go along. You will discover multiple villages, pass under a few bridges, tackle some mini-steps and finally reach the canals of the “little Venice“…
There are several possible departure points on the Grand Morin River.
If you come from Paris, you can take the Transilien line P (to Paris-Est) and get off an hour later at the small station of Farmoutiers-Pommeuse (the launching point is only ten minutes away on foot).
😍 We like: the many different landscapes you will discover during the trip
Where to rent?
Loc’Adventure
Champs de Foire, 77580 Crécy-la-Chapelle
(€25/person for the initiation trip)
More information about Loc’Adventure (site in French)
Canoë 77
1 Rue de Paris, 77515 Pommeuse
(€22.50/person for the “Getaway” trip and €40/person for the Adventurous trip)
More information about Canoë 77 (site in French)
Aventure canoë location
Direction Mairie – Take the Route du Grand Morin, Chem. du Champ Fleuri, 77515 La Celle-sur-Morin
(€25/person for the “Promenade” trip and €30/person for the “Getaway” trip)
More information about Aventure Canoë (site in French)
Canoeing on the Loing River
How far from Paris: 1h16
Length of the river: 143 km
Level: Easy
Trip duration: 3 hours
This river located in Seine et Marne offers beautiful and relaxing landscapes: woods on the banks of the Loing, small areas with much shadowing…
If you pass through Montigny you can even stop for a swim on a small public beach.
Although this route is considered easy, you must always be careful.
You will have to cross three spillways by canoe at Grez-sur-Loing, Montigny-sur-Loing and Moret-sur-Loing.
Where to rent?
Kawak
Chem. des Pâtures, 77167 Bagneaux-sur-Loing
(€20/person for half a day)
Apikopa
Rte de Saint-Mammès, 77250 Moret-sur-Loing
(starting at €42/person for half a day)
More information about Apikopa (site in French)
Air Escapade
Chem. des Pâtures, 77167 Bagneaux-sur-Loing
(€20/person for half a day)
More information about Air Escapade (site in French)
Canoeing on the Epte River
How far from Paris: 1h29
Length of the river: 113 km
Level: Easy
Trip duration: 3 to 5 hours
This 113 kilometer long river is a tributary of the Seine.
It is located one hour away from Paris and is also considered to be the natural border between the Normandy and the Ile-de-France regions.
The Epte is a good spot for a peaceful canoe trip, apart from a few rapids for a little thrill. but apart from that, you will have time to admire the landscape.
It is also the opportunity to discover the biodiversity and flora of the area with forests and vast plains landscapes.
You can choose between a ten-kilometer trip (2.5 hours) on your own, or a one-day trip (5 hours).
Bonus: this river inspired the famous painter Claude Monet for his painting La Barque à Giverny (Orsay Museum).
😍 We like: the rich biodiversity and flora
Where to rent?
Cano’Epte
Maison de l’ermitage – salle des fêtes, Rue de l’Ermitage, 95770 Saint-Clair-sur-Epte
(starting at €30/person for half a day)
More information about Cano’Epte (site in French)
Rando Epte
Route de la Vallée – 27630 Bus-Saint-Remy (Vexin-sur-Epte)
(starting at €25/person for 2 hours)
More information about Rando Epte (site in French)
Canoeing on the Eure River
How far from Paris: 1h25
Length of the river: 228 km
Level: Easy
Trip duration: 2 to 5 hours
The Eure is 225 km long. It takes its source in the Perche River, in the department of Orne.
It passes through Chartres, Pacy-sur-Eure and Louviers.
Different canoe trips are made available by different rental companies:
- 5 km: You go down the river from Autheuil Authouillet to Crèvecoeur
- 10 km: You leave from Ménilles and go down the river to Autheuil-Authouillet. Then you leave Autheuil-Authouillet to reach Heudreville sur Eure.
- 20 km: From Ménilles to Heudreville sur Eure.
Each trip is peaceful and you will be surrounded by nature, but be careful if you decide to take the longer one.
There are whitewaters and the rapids are quite fast, to say the least.
Where to rent?
Canoë pour tous
Chem. des Mésanges, 28500 Montreuil
(starting at €20 pour a 1h15 trip)
More information about Canoë pour tous (site in French)
Le Randonn’Eure
72 rue Marcel Moisson, 27120 Pacy sur Eure
(starting at €22/person for half a day)
More information about Le Randonn’Eure (site in French)
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
