Unspoilt nature
Around the river and the Dordogne, a large part of the Dordogne Basin has been acknowledged as a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, stretching from the Gironde Estuary to the Plateau de Millevaches. It's the largest Biosphere Reserve's in France and second largest in Europe. The Dordogne is even the only river in France that has been granted this label acknowledging the exceptional biodiversity of the area. The High Dordogne Valley is located deep in the heart of this reserve, in Corrèze. Come and enjoy an original fishing experience in unspoilt natural surroundings and discover remarkable scenescapes and observation points over the Dordogne canyons.
Fishing passion
Don't miss theopening of the trout fishing season in March, the most important date for fishermen. Along the Dordogne River and its dams, trout can be caught in a shot by tip-actioned fishing and more specifically fly fishing. Among all fishing techniques that exist, without doubt the most difficult and most passionate is fly fishing. Difficult because it's extremely technical as you have to try and catch fish with a little bait known as a fly. The Dordogne is the perfect river for practising in. There's a myriad of fabulous itineraries around Argentat-sur-Dordogne, nicknamed the capital of fly-fishing by enthusiasts.
Whether you're a novice or a seasoned fisherman, it's always useful to join in a session to learn how to fish using this technique which is sportive and aesthetic. There's a host if fishing guides who will be delighted to unveil their techniques and knowledge of the river to you. They'll initiate you with passion in the delicate art of fly fishing which will definitely amaze you. You'll think you're a character in Robert Redford's film "A River Runs Through It"!
Check out the fishing guides on the Corrèze Fishing Federation website.
My heritage and accommodation favourites
It's also a wonderful opportunity to discover one-of-a-kind, rich heritage around the area. Head off and discover our picturesque villages, listed among "Les plus beaux villages de France" (the Most Beautiful Villages of France), like Collonges-la-Rouge, Curemonte and Turenne.
On the accommodation side, there's a wide range of fishing guesthouses and "Logis" hotels granted the French fishing label. The owners will tell you the best places to go fishing, can provide you with maps and itinerary routes, give you contact details for fishing guides, etc. and even serve you hearty breakfasts if you'd like.
Here are a few "Logis" hotel addresses:
• Sablier du Temps Hotel in Argentat-sur-Dordogne,
• Relais du Teulet in Goulles,
• Central Hotel in Bort-les-Orgues.
And the fishing guesthouses labelled "Accueil Paysan" and "Gîtes de France":
• the Accueil Paysan chalets around the lake in Neuvic
• the Malefarge Gîte de France in Monceaux-sur-Dordogne.
Save the date of 1st May, when over 200 of the finest cockerels in France are brought together in a national competition in Neuvic in Corrèze. These cockerels are adorned with a special feather used for making the flies for fly fishing, a technique which can be traced back to the 2nd century BCE.
Get all the information you need on fishing in Corrèze:
www.tourismecorreze.com
www.peche-nouvelle-aquitaine.org
Here, you're in fishing paradise!
Jean's passport to discover new destinations in Nouvelle-Aquitaine? His fishing licence of course! He's the man to follow to discover our lakes and rivers teeming with fish... but also 1000 and one other hidden treasures and legends that he loves to tell as you sit around the fire.