Top 10 Lakes and Rivers for Swimming

These three lifeguard-patrolled beaches offer different atmospheres for taking a dip and enjoying a spot of relaxation. The beaches are lifeguard-patrolled seven days a week from 2 July to 28 August, from 1.30 pm to 7 pm. ⛱️

Now the hardest part will be choosing:

Auphelle Beach: A large, family-friendly beach in Peyrat-le-Château, where you’ll find wooden children’s play equipment, a basketball court, a beachside restaurant, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, pedalos, boats, tiralos and mountain bikes.

Nergout Beach: This quiet, family-friendly beach in Beaumont-du-Lac has a tennis court and a pétanquecourt. You can hire canoes to explore the surrounding area. Fancy a bite to eat? There’s a pizzeria nearby! Want to go fishing? A family-friendly fishing spot has been set up, much to the delight of young and old alike. Trout are plentiful in the area!

Pierrefitte Beach: This peaceful, family-friendly beach has a ‘guinguette’ – a lovely spot in the height of summer! For thrill-seekers, there’s a water-ski club nearby.

Perfect for summer, this lake offers supervised swimming from 1 July to 31 August, Tuesday to Sunday from 2 pm to 7 pm. You can enjoy a wide range of water sports: kayaking, pedalos, stand-up paddleboarding… There is also a children’s play area near the beach, featuring a multi-activity play frame, a mini-golf course, tennis courts, a boules court and a multi-sports ground.

The lakeside path has been developed for walking and fishing.

If you’re driving a motorhome, don’t worry – there’s a free parking area waiting for you!

Also not to be missed is the latest addition to Meuzac: The Beach Ski Academy at Lac de Forgeneuve, Meuzac’s second lake, nationally recognised for water skiing. We offer water skiing (recreational and competitive), wakeboarding, tubing, baby ski (Baby Ski involves water skiing towed by a boat. It’s suitable for children aged two and a half to three years), paddleboard hire and electric bike hire. Open from 1 June to 31 October.

On site, you’ll find two fine sandy beaches, pedalos, tennis courts, fishing facilities and a refreshment bar where you can enjoy a bite to eat!

In the Limousin, in the heart of the Pays des Monts et Barrages, just a stone’s throw from Lake Vassivière, Châteauneuf-la-Forêt welcomes you with its 12-hectare lake, ideal for swimming and fishing, set at the foot of a 2,500-hectare woodland.

By the lake, with its children’s playground, water games, table tennis tables and a volleyball court on the edge of the forest, you’re bound to find the perfect activity for your family. For the more active among you, there’s also a mountain bike centre and numerous hiking trails.

All these activities are sure to work up an appetite, aren’t they? Don’t worry – there’s a restaurant nearby!

For fishing enthusiasts, fishing is permitted during the open season.

Nearby, campsites and holiday villages are on hand if you’d like to extend your stay.

10 km from Rochechouart, behind the Lavaud dam, discover the perfect spot for swimming and relaxing. Nestled in the heart of the countryside, La Chassagne beach is tucked away in a lush green setting, offering peace and tranquillity across 12 hectares.

Its banks and fine sandy beaches are perfect for walking, fishing and swimming, as well as for water sports such as sailing, canoeing, rowing, pedalos and fishing. Play equipment for children, a beach volleyball court, a basketball court and a picnic area have also been provided. Swimming is permitted and supervised from July to August every day except Tuesdays, from 1.30 pm to 7.00 pm, and until 7.30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

All these activities work up an appetite, don’t they? On sunny days, you can enjoy a meal whilst overlooking this magnificent fine-sand beach. Incredible, isn’t it? 👀

Fancy a break in the shade? Head to the shaded park to enjoy the sound of horses’ hooves as they pass by. Psst… it’s normal – the Lacs riding centre takes its horses for a stroll around the area every day.

If you fancy staying for a few days and exploring the Haut-Viennois countryside, you’ve come to the right place: with 16 holiday cottages nearby, this lake is the ideal spot to recharge your batteries.

Welcome to the Bussière-Galant lake – come and enjoy a relaxing break, the sunshine and the beach atthe Espace Hermeline.

Swimming is available and supervised every day from July to August, from 12.30 pm to 7 pm, except on Mondays. There are plenty of activities around the lake to delight young and old alike, and we’re sure that, from this list, you’re bound to find an activity that will bring you great joy!

On offer: atoddler’s play area, a volleyball court, table tennis tables, introductory kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding sessions, blowpipe shooting, archery, tennis lessons, mini golf, a Vélorail trail, a miniature train and a pétanque court.

For nature lovers, come and try your hand at orienteering on various levels and along different routes. A Terra Aventura adventure also awaits you, where you can uncover the legends of the Dronne.

For sports enthusiasts, there are numerous hiking trails – also suitable for mountain biking – and a mega zip line over the lake for a real thrill. Adrenaline and panoramic views guaranteed!!

This area also features several picnic tables, barbecues, a snack bar and a refreshment stand.