Multiday Open Canoe Trip to Massif Central – France 2023
Tarn Day 1 – Le Pont du Tarn down to Montbrun grade 2(3)
Having all arrived at the Le Pont du Tarn campsite within an hour or so of each other the day before and shuttled the cars to the get-out at Pas de Souci, we woke up Sunday morning refreshed and raring to go.
After some discussion (while eating pain au chocolat) about how much walking we’d be doing as the river levels were low, we launched from the campsite for day 1 of a 3-day expedition, sorry “exploration”. Following last summer’s use of a secret code word on the Fardon Canoe Trip which when one the party uttered it required all those who heard to jump overboard to cool off. We had decided to set the secret code word for this trip to “cliff”. This was to be a tour of some of the best gorges in France – not much chance of spotting many craggy outcrops!
The river was shallow and shingly in places but never too low.
The section from Le Pont du Tarn down to Montbrun is described as a grade 2(3) and was easy paddling with a few pool easy rapids; just enough to keep it interesting. The sun was shining, and the scenery was beautiful, although nothing compared to what was to follow.
There is only one rapid that gets a specific mention on this section of the river and I found it. Everyone in the vicinity heard the bang as I hit the big rock on the river’s left.
From Montbrun, we continued down to Castelbouc (approx 21km total).
Shortly before Castelbouc we saw a rope swing hanging from a bridge with a ladder to climb out. I climbed up the ladder only to discover the rope wouldn’t reach, so I climbed back down and as I swam to my canoe, I mentioned a “cliff” and triggered an all-in swim… or not, as only Keith joined me in the water!
After dinner, we headed across the river to explore the small and very quaint village of Castelbouc, where the houses are built into the rock and a castle sits high above the village and river.
Paddlers: Keith, Ian, Mike, Ruth, Martin, Nikki, Andy, Graham & Spongy
