Guidlines and rules of canoeing

Canoeing on
the Sorgue river
USEFUL ADRESSES
The Sorgue is the only river around the Mediterranean
to enjoy a substantial outflow all year long. Even in
mid-summer, while other rivers in the region are dry, it
still flows several metres per second.
The spring, which is one of the most substantial
in the world, is supplied by a large reservoir made of
limestone rocks. As the water remains underground for
a long time, its temperature never excedes 13°C, even
in the middle of summer. (Be careful to the risk of
hypothermia).
During your journey, you will go over hydraulic works
which, for centuries, have enabled people to make use
of this resource (driving force, fish farming, irrigation,
etc.)
You will discover an incredibly diverse environment
which is the fruit of the climate, of the Sorgue's everflowing spring, of its flow which has been regulated
thanks to hydraulic works, as well as the high quality of
its water.
If you watch carefully, you'll be able to spot rare and
sometimes unique species in Provence such as the
beaver, the grayling or Planer's lamprey…
Likewise, you'll come across flora that is
exceptional for the region : the constant level of
humidity provided by the Sorgue allows a substantial
forest to grow, with ash trees, alders and elm trees. All
these trees however are usually found north of the
Loire river. The Sorgue has been part of the Natura
2000 network thanks to all those riches.
For more information : www.laSorgue.com
• Tourist office of Fontaine de Vaucluse •
Ch. de la Fontaine
+33 (0)4 90 20 32 22
• Tourist office of Le Thor •
Place du 8 mai et du 11 novembre
+33 (0)4 90 33 92 31
A river
worth seeing
• Fédération de Vaucluse pour la Pêche •
et la Protection du Milieu Aquatique
575, chemin des Fontanelles - L'Isle sur la Sorgue
+33 (0)4 90 86 62 68
and
preserving
• Centre Départemental de Pêche •
et d’Initiation à l’Environnement
Route du Thor – Velleron
+33 (0)4 90 20 09 57
• Club Subaquatique Islois •
La Cigalette – L’Isle sur la Sorgue
+33 (0)4 90 38 90 38
• Comité Départemental du Vaucluse •
de la Fédération Française de Canoë Kayak
1 rue Bourguet – Avignon
+33 (0)4 90 27 90 63
• Canoeing club •
L’Isle sur la Sorgue +33 (0)4 90 38 33 22
• Canoe rental •
Kayak Vert +33 (0)4 90 20 35 44
Canoë Evasion +33 (0)4 90 38 26 22
• Office of the Comité Local de la Sorgue Amont •
Syndicat Mixte du Bassin des Sorgues
+33 (0)4 90 83 68 25
Head of publishing : the President of the Syndicat Mixte du Bassin des Sorgues.
Made thanks to the financial support of the Agence de l'Eau RMC, of the Conseil Régional PACA
and the Conseil Général du Vaucluse.
Photo credits : Syndicat Mixte du Bassin des Sorgues - FFPPMA 84
Creation and printing - Agence 4 Epices 04 90 840 857
June 2009
Some
Printed with vegetable ink on recycled paper
DISCOVER THE SORGUE RIVER
• Inter-town Tourism Office for the Sorgues area •
and the Mont de Vaucluse
Place de la Liberté – L’Isle sur la Sorgue
+33 (0)4 90 38 04 78
principles to
go canoeing
on the river
CANOEING COURSE MAP
CANOEING ON THE SORGUE
Recommended
landing stage + P
Dam : DANGER
Canoeing course
Car park
Canoeing course
Canoeing on the Sorgue
also means knowing,
enjoying and sharing the river
Local authority bylaw
Dated 09/10/1995 (modified)
CONCERNING NAVIGATION
ON THE SORGUES
In pratical terms, it means :
• Abide by the regulations
The regional authorities impose a set of rules and
bylaws (see opposite).
• Preserve natural environment
CANOEING COURSE
The river life of The Sorgue is unique in Provence
and some species are delicate and protected. This
applies to both wildlife and plants. Watch them but
don't disturb them !
• Respect private property
The river bed and the banks of the river are private
property as are all the hydraulic structures (dam…).
Fishing is widely practised on this canoeing course
(a firstcategory river for fish farming), but there is
plenty of room for everybody.
Fishermen must allow safe passage for canoeists
and in return, canoeists must respect the peace and
quiet necessary for good fishing.
End of navigable
section
Recommended
landing stage + P
on the Sorgue
instructions
1. The navigation on the Sorgues is
allowed only between the
third
Saturday of April and December 31st.
Except for the third week-end of September (fishing
closure) / (French Canoeing Federation permit
holders have special dispensation.)
2. During this period, navigation is
allowed between 9 : 30 AM and
6 : 00 PM.
(no hourly restriction on Thursday evenings)
• Take into account other activities
• Respect
safety
navigation
The main clauses are the following :
3. Only canoes, kayaks and traditional
punts are allowed to navigate.
Any other means of navigation is strictly
forbiden.
for
Do not approach the floodgates.
Use a certified life-jacket.
Use appropriate well-maintained equipment.
Navigate with a professionnal or competent
instructor.
Those rules regarding navigation on the Sorgue,
published by the Préfecture de Vaucluse, aim at :
- Preserving the uniqueness of the river and its
surrondings
- Maintaining both fishing and canoeing on the river
- Maintaining public safety and tranquility
It is in everybody’s interest to
respect these rules and bylaws