Get back to basics, discovernatural resourcesde l'étang de la Pouge

Etang de la Pouge in St Auvent, St Cyr and St Laurent sur Gorre

An ideal spot for nature lovers, this lake offers a wealth of natural and scenic treasures in the heart of the Haute-Vienne region.
You can also enjoy a wide range of waterside activities: nature watching, fishing, walks along the interpretation trail… The choice is yours!

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A living, preserved natural site

At the heart of the bocage landscape of the Parc Naturel Régional Périgord Limousin, the étang de la Pouge stretches across the communes of Saint-Auvent, Saint-Cyr and Saint-Laurent-sur-Gorre.
It was built on the Gorret stream upstream of its confluence with the Gorre, probably as early as the Middle Ages, to serve as a fishery for the nearby Puy d’Eau estate. Owned by the Haute-Vienne departmental council, the pond is listed in the national inventory of natural areas of ecological, faunistic and floristic interest (ZNIEFF), and is part of the European Natura 2000 network. It is also one of the listed sites of the Gorre and Gorret valleys, and is considered by the Parc Naturel Régional Périgord Limousin as an area of major heritage interest.

28 hectares of natural treasures

Although artificially created, over the centuries the pond has become a high-quality natural area, renowned for its ecological richness. For nature lovers🍃, a veritable mosaic of remarkable environments linked to the presence of water awaits you on this site! Small ponds, amphibious lawns, alder groves, ash groves, wet meadows, etc. Keep your eyes peeled! What a pleasure to observe the yellow-bellied sounder, the loose-flowered orchid, the alder tarin… 🦋

Sentier d'interprétation Etang de la Pouge

Ornithological observatory and discovery trail

Take a stroll along the interpretive trail with its explanatory panels, and take the time to appreciate your surroundings, and get to know this environment, a source of inspiration and 100% natural discoveries.

An ornithological observatory is open all year round. Without disturbing them, you can observe the many water birds present on the pond, depending on the season: purple heron, common sandpiper, great egret, great crested grebe, green-winged teal, coot, kingfisher and more.

A word of advice if you want to see as many birds as possible: head out in the cool of the day, and be discreet, so you can enjoy the beautiful morning light and an atmosphere you can breathe in fully 😉

The banks of the pond are home to a fragile fauna and flora, and your respectful steps on the marked path will ensure a beautiful connection with nature 🍃

On-site activities

Enjoy a fun or rejuvenating experience close to nature. A relaxing moment spent fishing, a 6km walk along the water’s edge, a family “HauteVienne Explor Games®” adventure… For a few hours or the whole day, you’ll find the joy of outdoor life on the banks of the Etang de la Pouge 😌

Good to know

Available equipment

500 m walking trail and handi-fishing pontoon accessible to people with reduced mobility (parking a few metres away).

Activities

A wide choice of on-site activities

Catering

Restaurant in the village of St Auvent 2km away

The little plus

The link with the “history and nature” hiking trail

Continue your stay in the heart of the P.N.R. Périgord-Limousin

Tèrra Aventura
Activities around St Auvent
Sleeping in the heart of the Park

Terra Aventura Limousin Nouvelle Aquitaine Laurencon 148

Treasure hunt

If you’re looking for a fun way to continue along the water’s edge near the Etang de la Pouge, take off on an adventure with Tèrra Aventura, geocaching made in Limousin!

The “Le nouveau défi de la Perinqueta” trail from Saint Auvent will be the incredible treasure hunt of your vacation.

See the route

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