Since 1997, every spring, we put down our paddles… to collect the trash. Because you can’t love the Vézère River and watch it deteriorate without doing anything.
Over the years, our community riverbank cleanup project has become a must-attend event for the valley’s residents, local associations, and everyone who cares about the river. Join us, you’ll be most welcome.
A river, floods, waste
Every winter, the Vézère River’s floods carry and trap an impressive amount of waste in the vegetation along its banks: plastic bags caught in low-hanging branches, tires washed up on the pebble banks, chairs, jerrycans, and all sorts of unusual debris that have no place in a river designated a Grand Site de France and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The riverbanks are only accessible by boat; this is where the canoe becomes the ideal tool for concrete and effective environmental action.
How does the day unfold?
The appointment
The meeting point is at our APA base in Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, Dordogne. In canoes, in teams of two or three, volunteers will travel along the riverbanks from Thonac to Saint-Léon, collecting everything left behind by the floods. No canoeing experience is necessary, just a desire to help.
The operation is part of a large-scale, coordinated collective project across the entire valley, from the Vézère River Basin Authority to the local council, in partnership with the Grand Site de France, fishing associations, and waste sorting associations. Each event mobilizes hundreds of volunteers across several riverside municipalities, from Condat-sur-Vézère to Limeuil.
What you are asked to bring
Your goodwill and good humor are essential. Also, remember to plan ahead:
- Gardening gloves
- Shoes that can get wet
- Your cutlery and plate for the buffet
25
We’ll take care of the rest.
What we offer you in return
The activity is entirely free and volunteer-run. As a thank you, a post-cleanup gathering and a cold buffet are offered to all participants. It’s an opportunity to share a friendly moment with people who love their river.
When and how to register?
The date of the next edition is set for May 30, 2026, at 2 p.m.
Reservations are recommended so that we can best organize the boats and the meal.
📞 Contact-us at +33 5 53 50 67 71 or by our contact form
Because every piece of waste removed from the Vézère means a preserved landscape, a protected species, and a river that we can continue to canoe down with a light heart.