Top 10 lakes and rivers to swim in | Limousin

A quick of a view

1. Lac de Vassivière

One of the most beautiful lakes in Limousin.

These 3 supervised beaches offer different atmospheres for swim and relaxing. The beaches are supervised 7 days a week from July 2nd to August 28th, from 1:30pm to 7pm. ⛱️

Now the hardest part is choosing:

Plage d’Auphelle: A large family beach in Peyrat-le-Château, with wooden children’s games, a basketball court, a beach restaurant, canoes, paddles, pedalos, boats, tiralos and mountain bikes.

Plage de Nergout: This quiet, family-friendly beach in Beaumont-du-Lac has a tennis court and petanque area. You can hire canoes to explore the surrounding area. Feeling hungry? There’s a pizzeria nearby! Fishing? A family course has been set up for the enjoyment of young and old alike. Trout are king in the area!

Plage de Pierrefitte: This quiet, family-friendly beach has a Guinguette, in the middle of summer! For thrill-seekers, there’s a waterski club nearby.

2. Lac de Saint-Pardoux

A must-have this summer

Lac de Saint-Pardoux is THE ideal place to combine water sports and relaxation! A major tourist attraction in the Haute-Vienne region, this 330-hectare man-made lake is located in a preserved natural setting. 💚

There are 3 beaches to choose from:

Santrop beach: Ideal for families, Santrop offers a multitude of fun activities in a calm, natural and safe environment: swimming pool, acrobatic park, canoes, pedal boats, paddle, multi-sports field, pétanque court, open-air cinema, concerts, children’s entertainment, street theater…

La plage de Chabannes: Located in nature, this site is fully equipped for a wide range of outdoor activities. It’s THE place to be for budding or experienced sports enthusiasts. On the program: sailing, mountain biking, catamaran, electric boats… But that’s not all! On the shaded beach, you’ll find a multi-sports field and plenty of games for children. Don’t hesitate to ask about the sporting events regularly organized on the site, such as the triathlon and bike & run!

Fréaudour beach: Set in unspoilt wilderness, this presqu’île, will offer you moments of relaxation and thrills as you practice skiing and water skiing. The club, open from June to October, will delight you with its many water activities: baby skiing, towed buoys… For treasure-hunting enthusiasts, Terra Aventura is just waiting for the adventurer in you. Go in search of the Poï’z “Zéidon” on the “crocodile du lac” circuit.

Departement Haute Vienne 87 Lac Saint Pardoux 2022 Photo Maxime Authier

Bujaleuf

3. Lac de Sainte-Hélène

In the land of trees and water!

Head for the beach at Lac de Sainte-Hélène, 70 hectares of unspoilt, serene nature. 🌿

Children’s playground, multi-sports field, shaded beach, zip line, petanque courts, volleyball, geocaching and marked hiking trails (mountain biking, walking and horseback riding) will delight young and old alike. The lake is equipped for a variety of activities, including canoeing, kayaking, water skiing, buoyancy, wakeboarding, sailing and paddling. You can rent your equipment directly from the campsite.

Supervised swimming from July 1 to August 31 (except Wednesdays) from 1.30 pm to 7 pm.

For anglers: several fishing pontoons and a family fishing trail. You can fish for carp, bleak, roach, tench, bream and pike on the entire lake…

Don’t wait any longer, put on your swimsuit, flip-flops and towel 💦

Discover Lac de Sainte-Hélène

Meuzac

4. Plan d'eau la Roche

A magnificent place to fill up on activities

Ideal in summer, this lake offers supervised swimming from July 1st to August 31th, from Tuesday to Sunday, 2pm to 7pm. You’ll also find a children’s playground close to the beach: a multi-game swing, a mini golf course, tennis courts, a bowling green and a multi-sports city stadium.

The area around the lake is ideal for walking and fishing.

You can also enjoy a meal at La Paillote restaurant. And don’t worry, there’s a free parking area for your camper van!

Also not to be missed is Lac de Forgeneuve, Meuzac’s second nationally-recognized water-skiing lake: classic skiing, wakeboarding, handi-skiing, slalom, tricks – there’s something for everyone. Every summer, the club organizes several international competitions. The complex is open from May 1st to October 31th.

On site, you’ll find two sandy beaches, pedalos, tennis courts, fishing and a snack bar!

Discover Lac de la Roche

5. Plan d'eau de Sussac

At the gateway to the Millevaches Regional Nature Park

This tranquil 4-hectare lake, just 200 m from the village of Sussac, is surrounded by nature and greenery!

Supervised swimming from July 12th to August 21th, 2pm to 7:30pm (except Mondays). Activities: pedalos, children’s games, pétanque, soccer, volleyball, mini-golf, basketball… You’ll also find a snack bar and a châlet…

For fishing enthusiasts, a daily fishing card is all you need.

For hikers, there are marked trails through the surrounding woods.

Our little tip: the spot not to be missed: just a stone’s throw from the lake, Mont Gargan, the highest point at 731 metres, awaits you. It offers exceptional panoramic views of the Millevaches plateau and the Monédières massif.

To extend your stay, in a small hamlet surrounded by greenery, we suggest the gîte “Le Beauséjour“, which will welcome you during this period, so don’t hesitate any longer, and book your weekend!

6. Plan d'eau de Châteauneuf-la-Forêt

In the heart of the forest

In Limousin, in the heart of the Pays des Monts et Barrages region, a stone’s throw from Lac de Vassivière, Châteauneuf la Forêt welcomes you with its 12-hectare lake, designed for swimming and fishing at the foot of a 2500-hectare forest.

With its children’s playground, water games, ping-pong tables and volleyball court on the edge of the forest, you’re sure to find the perfect activity for your little family. For the more sporty, there’s also a mountain bike base and numerous hiking trails.

All these activities make you hungry, don’t you think? Don’t worry, there’s a catering service nearby!

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

Nearby campsites and cottage villages welcome you if you want to extend your stay.

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7. Plan d'eau de Saint-Mathieu

The bucolic charm of a little corner of the countryside

At the very tip of the south-western tip, in the heart of Haute-Vienna’s greenery, come and discover the charm of a corner of the countryside and the calm of the lakeside. Set in a 22-hectare complex around a 14-hectare lake, this tourist complex is an invitation to travel.

Each season has its own charm, so come and take advantage of the many activities on offer on the site: hiking, fitness trail, fishing, mini-golf, children’s games, pétanque and volleyball court, tiralo, pedal boat, canoe-kayak, paddle… These activities are available during the summer period from July 1 to August 31.

Swimming is supervised from Tuesday to Friday, from 1:30pm to 7pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 12:45pm to 7:15pm. You can eat on site at the Cabanon du Lac or the Grange du Lac.

If you’d like to explore the surrounding area, there are over 130 km of marked trails. There are 6 trails from Lac de Saint Mathieu, ranging from 13 to 45 km.

Our little tip :

For the more sporty of you, discover the countryside on the“Boucle du Parc“, in a pleasant and peaceful setting.

Discover plan d'eau de Saint-Mathieu

8. Plan d'eau de Videix

A little corner of paradise

10 km from Rochechouart, behind the Lavaud dam, discover an ideal spot for swimming and relaxing. In the heart of the countryside, La Chassagne beach is well hidden in a green setting, offering peace and quiet over 12 hectares.

Its sandy shores and beaches are ideal for hiking, fishing and swimming, as well as water sports such as sailing, canoeing, rowing, pedal-boating and fishing. There are also children’s play areas, a beach volleyball court, a basketball court and a picnic area. Swimming is permitted and supervised from July to August every day except Tuesday, from 1.30 pm to 7.00 pm, and until 7.30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

All this activity, does it get tiring? In fine weather, you can enjoy a meal overlooking this magnificent sandy beach. Incredible, isn’t it? 👀

Fancy a break in the shade, head for the shady park to enjoy the sound of horses’ hooves tickling your ears. Psst..that’s to be expected, the Centre Equestre des Lacs rides around corners daily.

If you fancy staying a few days and visiting the Haut-Viennois hinterland, you’ve come to the right place. With its 16 nearby gîtes, this lake is the ideal place to recharge your batteries.

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Saint Germain les Belles

9. Plan d'eau de Montréal

A haven of peace for tourists

The 4-hectare plan d’eau de Montréal is a lovely place to relax, just 400 meters from the center of Saint-Germain-les-Belles.

Come and have fun on the volleyball, pétanque and tennis courts. For the younger ones, there are children’s play areas, and for the more adventurous, there’s a pedalo for exploring the surrounding area. An inflatable structure is also available during the summer months. Fishing is permitted.

Swimming is permitted and supervised every day except Monday, from July 1 to August 31, from 12:30 to 19:00. For a bite to eat, head for the RestOlac restaurant.

Our little tip: take a stroll around the lake and cool off under the trees, which provide pleasant shade in summer.

To make the most of your stay, a 3-star campsite overlooking the lake is open all year round.

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Bussière-Galant

10. Plan d'eau les Ribières

Farniente, relaxation and a change of scenery

Welcome to the Bussière-Galant lake, where you can relax, soak up the sun and enjoy the beach at Espace Hermeline.

Swimming is accessible and supervised every day from July to August, from 12.30 pm to 7 pm, except Mondays. There’s plenty to do around the lake for young and old alike, and we’re sure you’ll find something to your liking!

On the program: a children’s play area, a volleyball court, ping-pong tables, kayak/paddle lessons, blowpipe, archery, tennis courts, mini golf, a Vélorail course, a small train and a pétanque court.

Nature lovers will enjoy orienteering races at different levels and on different courses. There’s also a Terra Aventura, where you can discover the legends of the Dronne.

For sports enthusiasts, there are a number of hiking trails, including mountain bike trails, and a mega zip line over the lake for a thrilling ride. Adrenalin and panoramic views guaranteed!

The area also features picnic tables, barbecues, a snack bar and a refreshment bar.