Contents:
- What are the main supervised lakes in the Lot?
- Lakes and leisure centres: family swimming and activities
- The most beautiful river beaches on the Lot
- The natural beaches of the Dordogne in the Lot department
- The secret corners of the Cbélé Valley
- Where to camp near the swimming spots?
- Is it possible to swim in Rocamadour?
- Practical tips for swimming in the Lot
What are the main supervised lakes in the Lot?
Lake Tolerme: a breath of fresh air
Nestled at an altitude of 500 metres in the Ségala Lotois, Lake Tolerme is a vast 40-hectare lake with a supervised beach in summer, equipped for young and old alike with water slides, a water sports centre (canoeing, paddleboarding) and children's games.
The 5-kilometre trail around the lake allows you to alternate between swimming and walking. Here, the calm and the quality of the water make it a sure bet when the temperature rises.
Lac Vert de Catus: eco-friendly swimming in a peaceful setting
Just 15 km from Cahors, the 7-hectare Lac Vert de Catus is a popular spot with its sandy beach and lifeguards in July and August. Awarded Blue Flag status, it focuses on the environment and accessibility, with an easy-access pontoon, tiralo beach wheelchairs and shaded footpaths.
It is a very popular spot for families thanks to its facilities, which include a playground, pedal boat and paddleboard hire.
Montcuq Lake in Saint-Sernin: a friendly place to swim in the heart of Quercy
Equipped for summer swimming, Montcuq Lake in Quercy offers a pretty, supervised beach that is ideal for families. There are also picnic areas, children's games and a leisure centre for a variety of activities.
Lakes and leisure centres: family swimming and activities
In addition to river beaches and large lakes, the Lot offers leisure centres where you can swim safely in a green setting.
Gourdon leisure centre: ideal for young children
1.5 km from the town centre, the Écoute s'il Pleut leisure centre offers free supervised swimming in summer, with a grassy beach, children's games and shaded areas. Awarded the Blue Flag label, the site is very popular with families.
The Moulin Bas lake in Frayssinet-le-Gélat
Nestled in wooded surroundings, the Moulin Bas lake offers a peaceful spot for swimming in Frayssinet-le-Gélat. Swimming is supervised in the afternoons from mid-July to mid-August.
The Cayre lake in Cazals
In the heart of the Bouriane region, the Cayre lake covers 2.7 hectares, right next to a campsite. Swimming is safe and supervised in July and August. The site also offers pedalos and fishing.
Caïx water sports centre in Luzech: a pleasant stopover on the Lot
In Luzech, a few kilometres from Cahors, the Caïx Water Sports Centre features a sandy beach on the banks of the River Lot, set in natural surroundings. Swimming is supervised every afternoon during the summer. Outside these periods and times, swimmers do so at their own risk. Water sports are also available, including canoeing and kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and pedalos with a slide.
The Mas de la Croux lake in Tauriac
Situated near the Lot section of the Dordogne, the Tauriac lake offers a grassy beach in a natural setting. Swimming is free and supervised in the afternoons during July and August. A water slide complements the on-site water activities.
The Lamothe-Fénelon lake
Very close to the border with the Dordogne and about ten minutes south of Souillac, the Lamothe-Fénelon lake offers an alternative to the pebble beaches of the Dordogne. It features a sandy beach and grassy areas where you can relax by the water’s edge. Swimming is supervised from 4 July until the end of August, in the afternoons. Outside these periods, swimming is at the swimmer’s own risk.
The most beautiful river beaches on the Lot
In the department of the same name, the River Lot boasts beautiful natural beaches, shaded spots and well-equipped leisure centres. Some of these riverbanks are lifeguard-supervised in summer and are ideal for both swimming and relaxing by the water’s edge.
Swimming at the foot of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, on the banks of the Lot
This is one of the most beautiful spots in the department. The beach at Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, located just below the medieval village and bordered by trees and cliffs, offers supervised swimming in a spectacular setting.
Relaxation and water sports in Cajarc
In Cajarc, the Lot becomes a leisure centre. There is a grassy beach with lifeguards and a wide range of water activities, including pedalos, paddleboarding, water skiing and surf bikes. It's the perfect place to alternate between swimming, picnics and family games.
Swimming in the countryside at Douelle
In Douelle, a small beach on the banks of the Lot offers unsupervised swimming in a peaceful setting. It is a shaded beach of grass and pebbles, lined with trees and facing wooded hillsides.
Castelfranc beach: a refreshing break on the banks of the Lot
In the heart of the bastide village of Castelfranc, a grassy beach on the banks of the Lot invites you to relax in the cool shade. Swimming is free and supervised in summer, from early July to late August, in the afternoons.
Méouré Beach in Puy-l’Évêque
It is at a place called Méouré, 3 km downstream from the centre of Puy-l’Évêque, near Les Vignes campsite, that a beach offers the chance to swim in the waters of the Lot. Swimming is supervised in the afternoons from mid-July to the end of August, except on Saturdays. To access the beach, you must report to the campsite reception to let them know you’re there.
The natural beaches of the Dordogne in the Lot department
Set amongst limestone cliffs, pebble beaches and shaded riverbanks, the Dordogne offers numerous natural swimming spots in the north of the Lot department. From Vayrac to Souillac, these sites allow you to enjoy the river amidst varied landscapes, with a few beaches supervised in summer.
Nature and relaxation in Vayrac, on the banks of the Dordogne
Very popular with families, Vayrac offers a pebble beach bordered by a large lawn. The area is quiet and well equipped (children's games, toilets, picnic area) and also offers the chance to try your hand at canoeing or paddleboarding. Swimming is unsupervised.
Gluges, Copeyre and Foussac beaches: peaceful swimming beneath the cliffs
Between Martel and Creysse, Gluges beach offers a spectacular setting with white cliffs plunging into the Dordogne.The site stretches towards Copeyre, whilst Foussac beach is located opposite, in Floirac. Swimming is supervised in the afternoons during the summer, but only within a designated swimming area at Gluges.
La Bourgnette Beach in Lacave
In Lacave, La Bourgnette Beach is a small, unspoilt pebble beach on the banks of the Dordogne. As it is difficult to access and has no designated car park, the beach is open all year round, but swimming is not supervised. It can get very busy during hot weather.
The harbour beach in Creysse
In Creysse, a beach on the banks of the Dordogne offers the chance to enjoy a swim in the cool waters of the river, in the shade of walnut trees. The site is accessible only on foot: you’ll need to leave your car in the village. Swimming is unsupervised and remains the responsibility of bathers. Nearby, a ferry also allows you to cross the river to reach the opposite bank.
A little further upstream, in Meyronne, you can also enjoy a natural beach on the banks of the Dordogne, with the option to hire canoes on site.
Montvalent Beach
In Montvalent, discover a natural beach on the banks of the Dordogne, in a peaceful, shaded setting. Composed of sand and pebbles, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy sunny days by the river. Accessible all year round, it is unsupervised: swimming is at the bathers’ own risk.
Souillac and Lanzac, between the Dordogne and the countryside
On the northern border of the department, Souillac and Lanzac offer several access points to the Dordogne for swimming: on the Souillac side, the Quercyres area, near the leisure centre, features riverbanks and pebble banks. Just downstream, a natural pebble beach stretches out at the foot of the Lanzac bridge, near the municipal campsite. Easily accessible, this unspoilt spot is ideal for a break by the water’s edge.
These areas are unsupervised: caution is advised due to currents and fluctuations in the river level.
The secret corners of the Célé Valley
Less crowded than the department’s major rivers, the Célé river offers several swimming spots set amidst natural landscapes. These little havens of coolness appeal to those who love peace and nature.
In Sauliac-sur-Célé and Marcilhac-sur-Célé, small beaches offer the chance to enjoy the river. In Cabrerets, the pebble beach situated downstream from the mill stretches out at the foot of the cliffs, within the village.
Other swimming spots can be found at Brengues, at Liauzu in Orniac, at the Saint-Sulpice bridge and at Espagnac-Sainte-Eulalie. These sites are unsupervised and care must be taken when sharing the water with canoes.
Where to camp near the swimming spots?
For your camping holiday, you can choose from a wide range of campsites in the Lot.
Campsites near lakes and leisure centres
Would you like to visit one of the lakes and swimming lakes in the Lot? Some campsites offer easy access to these sites.
Among them, the Camping des Arcades*** in Saint-Pantaléon is situated about 4 km from Lake Montcuq and its leisure centre. In Crayssac, the Les Reflets du Quercy**** campsite is just 6 km from Lake Vert de Catus, a popular spot for swimming. Finally, Le Rêve*** campsite in Le Vigan is 10.7 km from the Lamothe-Fénelon lake and 11.5 km from the Gourdon leisure centre, allowing you to enjoy water sports and swimming in the summer.
Campsites with direct access to the river
If you want to enjoy swimming during your camping holiday in the Lot, several campsites have direct access to the river, allowing you to swim without leaving the campsite.
We particularly recommend La Plage*** campsite in Meyronne with its natural beach on the Dordogne. It's the perfect setting for swimming just a stone's throw from your pitch or mobile home. You can also choose La Rivière*** campsite in Lacave, with direct access to the Dordogne, in a peaceful, shaded setting, or L'Eau Vive**** campsite in Carennac, where you can reach the river on foot in just a few seconds.
Campsites near river beaches
Several campsites are located 15 to 20 minutes’ drive from the Dordogne’s natural river beaches, notably in Meyronne, Gluges and Montvalent. This includes the Les Cigales**** campsite in Rocamadour and the Le Ventoulou**** campsite in Thégra.
The Domaine de la Paille Basse*****, in Souillac, is just a 10- to 15-minute drive from several swimming spots on the Dordogne, around Souillac and Lanzac.
See the list of all campsites near a lake or river in the Lot.
Is it possible to swim in Rocamadour?
In Rocamadour itself, swimming is not possible. The medieval village clings to a limestone cliff overlooking the Alzou canyon, a stream that is usually dry in summer. To cool off after your visit, there are several swimming spots nearby:
- La Bourgnette beach in Lacave, about 10 km away.
- Gluges Beach in Montvalent, about 16 km away, at the foot of the Dordogne cliffs.
Practical tips for swimming in the Lot
Before heading off for a swim in the Lot department, check the swimming conditions, including lifeguard hours, water quality and any restrictions.
To minimise the risk of drowning, follow the signs and be wary of currents and changes in depth in rivers. Most river beaches are unsupervised: keep a close eye on children and choose supervised areas where possible.
In summer, to avoid the crowds, go during off-peak times, such as in the morning or late afternoon on weekdays. Make sure you bring a hat, a water bottle and sun cream. Many river beaches have a pebbly surface: water shoes may be useful for walking more comfortably.
In summer, to avoid the crowds, opt for off-peak times, such as the morning or late afternoon on weekdays. Make sure you bring a hat, a water bottle, sun cream and water shoes.
Finally, look after the environment by taking your rubbish away with you and respecting the peace and quiet of the area.