Canoe descent down the Odet river
This morning, the kids wake up full of energy, “Today we’re going canoeing, are we not?!” The sun is already shining over the sea, and you have breakfast on the mobile home terrace, with the sea stretching out before you.
Everyone puts on their fitness gear and swimwear. In the rucksack, there is a picnic, flasks, suncream, towels…and naturally good humour in spades! You get in the car, to reach the starting point near Quimper.
On arrival, a friendly team welcomes you and ensures you’re kitted out; with life jackets, paddles, waterproof flasks. A short safety briefing, a few tips for navigating the river, and you’re good to go. The kids are delighted to have their own paddle “like real explorers.”
The river is calm, with dense greenery running alongside, and the canoe glides gently along under the trees. The adventure starts!
You go down the Odet river, your pace dictated by your paddle strokes. The silence only disturbed by the birdsong and lapping water. Here, an egret flies away. There, a heron sees you from the bank.
The children watch out for fish, spot dragonflies, and have fun identifying the strange twisted branches overlooking the river. You go under small bridges, near country houses hidden in the woods. The water crystal-clear, the reflections magical.
A small beach reaches out to you for a well deserved break. You pull the canoes into the bank, spread out your towels in the shade of trees, and open the bags.
Homemade salads, cherry tomatoes, crisps, fresh fruit, small Breton cakes…All by the cool water. A simple and perfect delight. The children paddle and indulge in pebble skimming in the river.
Part two of the descent proves even more fun; mini rapids, wider expanses of water, where you can race. Here there are shaded routes, with light filtering through the greenery.
The children take turns with the paddle, greatly delighting in splashing mum and dad. You make the most of the peace and beauty of this unspoilt landscape. You have a sense of being alone in the world, in the heart of the Breton countryside.
You reach the end point in Bénodet, 14 kilometres downstream of Quimper, slightly tired, but still smiling. The team comes to collect you, the canoes are loaded up and you get into the shuttle bus, which takes you back to your car. On the way back, the children tell you on repeat their favourite moments from today.
After a lovely shower, everyone puts on dry, comfortable clothes. The sunshine gently sets over the beach. You sit down on the terrace with a well-deserved pre-dinner drink, while the children colour in the map of the river.
For your evening meal, cheese galettes (savoury buckwheat pancakes), fresh salad and Breton caramel yoghurt. The evening ends with a short family game…before everyone falls asleep, their heads buzzing with wonder.
