location canoe kayak à couiza limoux carcassonne aude pyrenees

- COUIZA NAUTIC CENTER -

Association "au fil de l'Aude"

04.68.31.84.53

Rent of Canoe

The Domain of Pommayrac has his own canoes and kayak rental service, located at COUIZA, between Quillan and Limoux, in the "Haute Vallée" of the river Aude.

THE AUDE ?

The Aude is a very beautiful river, navigable from May until the end of September.

Early season (May and June) the heigh of the river is normally greater, but it remains accessible, including for beginners, as long as you can swim, but children must be at least 12 years old.
In July and August, the river level is lower but still provides good sport as the height is controled by dams and barrages up-river. We welcome families with children from 6 years, as long as you all know how to swim.

Au Fil de L'Aude...the course of the river Aude

The Aude is a river with lively water, easy to start with, but progressively more difficult as you leave Couiza. The section that we use is 15 km long, and finished shortly before the slow water and many barrages approaching the town of Limoux. The first part from Couiza (2 hours to navigate) is quite calm, with the second part (1 hour) running much faster.

The route is followed individually, in groups or as family, for distances of 8 km or 15 km, for half day or whole day excursions respectively. Every route offers opportunities for swimming, picnicking, etc.

Short route : MORNING: 8km from Couiza to Alet les Bains: departing from 9:30 am to 10:30 am for a half-day, returning by shuttle bus at 1:00 pm or 2:00 pm (duration 2 to 4 hours).
Long route : DAY: 15 km from Couiza to Limoux: departing from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm; returning by shuttle bus from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm (duration 3 to 5 hours).
Short route : AFTERNOON: 10 km from Luc sur Aude to Limoux: departing from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm, returning by shuttle bus from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm (duration 2 to 3 hours).

For your safety, we have a life vest and optional helmet (compulsory for under 18). A waterproof canister is lent to you for your personal effects (towel, camera, etc...) as well as your picnic if you depart in the morning. Also plan to take some drinking water, sun cream, and above all, shoes that you can wear to walk in the water.

THE COURSES

The course begins with a rather quiet 2 km where you can learn to fully control your boat.

You arrive at the "caves" after one hour. This is an ideal place for both swimming and picnicking. From the rooks, you can have fun jumping into the river next to the cave where the river is deep.

Another interesting part of descent : the boad-slide over the barrage at Alet les Bains. Make sure you hold the paddles high in the air so you don't collide with the sides of the slide.

And then, you arrive at Alet les Bains, after a two hour journey. Stop on the island under the bridge for that well-deserved halt, before you attack the second part of the trip, to Limoux (one hour of intense navigation). On the island connected by a bridge to the village, you will find drinking water, barbeques, and shady banks for your picnic. This is also your chance to make a short visit into the medieval village, including the abbey ruins, the thermal waters, the botting plant, etc.

THE BOATS

Classic-canoe

These boats, with 2 or 3 seats, will hold either two adults with one child under 10 years, or one adult, a child, and a further child under 10.

The boats are rented out complete with single paddles, vests and helmets, and a waterproof canister. You take your canoe on the river yourself (supervision is not necessary)