Lake Saint-Étienne-Cantalès: beaches and swimming in a green setting
Located in the west of Cantal, between Saint-Étienne-Cantalès and Saint-Gérons, Lake Saint-Étienne-Cantalès is a vast reservoir formed by the dam of the same name on the Cère and Authre rivers. Its calm waters and well-equipped beaches make it an ideal place for swimming, water sports and family outings.
Puech des Ouilhes beach (Lacapelle-Viescamp)
Well-equipped and very popular in summer, Puech des Ouilhes beach is one of the lake's main swimming spots. It offers a large area for entering the water, facilities suitable for families and a pleasant setting. Swimming is supervised in summer.
Espinet Beach (Saint-Étienne-Cantalès)
Located in the commune of Saint-Étienne-Cantalès, Espinet Beach is a popular swimming spot thanks to its easy access and facilities. It is an ideal starting point for combining swimming and water sports. Swimming is supervised in the afternoons from 7 July to the end of August.
Espinet beach is connected to Rénac beach by a 124-metre-long Himalayan footbridge over the lake.
Rénac Beach (Saint-Gérons)
Rénac beach is appealing for its green surroundings and lakeside location. It is the most popular beach in summer, offering a wide range of water activities (inflatable water games, rentals, tree climbing, fishing, volleyball court, etc.) and a fun atmosphere for all ages. Swimming is supervised in the afternoons from 7 July to the end of August.
Saint-Étienne-Cantalès summer swimming pool
In addition to the natural beaches, the Saint-Étienne-Cantalès summer swimming pool offers a safe and supervised place to swim, which is particularly popular with families with young children. As its name suggests, it is only open during the summer months.
Lac d'Enchanet: natural swimming between forests and viaducts in the heart of the Truyère
In the heart of the Truyère valley, Lake Enchanet was created by the dam of the same name. Surrounded by wooded hills and crossed by an iconic railway viaduct, it offers beaches with a wild charm where you can swim in a preserved natural setting.
Longayroux Beach (Pleaux)
Located on the wooded shores of Lake Enchanet, Longayroux Beach offers a natural, unspoilt setting, perfect for relaxing and swimming in the heart of nature. A water sports centre and water park are a delight for young and old alike. What's more, the water quality is excellent!
La Gineste Beach (Arnac)
Nestled in the heart of a bend in the lake, at the tip of the Gineste peninsula, this private, unsupervised beach charms visitors with its wild character and remarkable surroundings. You can access it if you are staying at the holiday village.
Rouffet Viaduct Beach
Located at the foot of the railway viaduct, this small, undeveloped beach enjoys spectacular scenery, between water and steep hills, which adds to the charm of wild (and, of course, unsupervised) swimming on Lake Enchanet.
Lake Bort-les-Orgues, an inland sea in the north-west of Cantal
On the north-western edge of Cantal, in the commune of Lanobre, Lake Bort-les-Orgues was formed by the Bort dam. Its open beaches and large expanses of calm water offer an ideal setting for swimming, water sports and relaxing in summer.
Siauve Beach (Lanobre)
Very popular in summer, La Siauve Beach allows visitors to enjoy this vast reservoir on the border between Cantal and Corrèze. Swimming is supervised in July and August.
Val Beach (Lanobre)
The larger Val beach offers beautiful spaces for swimming and relaxing, with an unobstructed view of Lake Bort-les-Orgues. The beach is located right next to the Château de Val.
Other swimming spots in Cantal
The Cantal department also offers many other places to swim, some more secluded or located in the heart of nature. These sites are appealing for their tranquillity and unspoilt surroundings, ideal for swimming away from the hustle and bustle of the larger beaches.
Lake Garabit-Grandval: Mallet beach facing the Garabit viaduct
Mallet beach, located on Lake Garabit-Granval, is one of the few sites in the area to offer supervised swimming. Nestled in the heart of wooded and green surroundings, it offers a peaceful and iconic setting with a remarkable view of the famous Garabit viaduct.
Domaine de Laval in Chaliers, a peaceful swimming spot on the Truyère river
Located on the banks of the Truyère, the Domaine de Laval offers a swimming spot that is appreciated for its peaceful atmosphere and natural setting, far from the busy beaches.
Port site in Vieillevie, wild swimming in the River Lot
On the banks of the Lot, the Port site offers public swimming in a natural setting. This spot appeals for its wild character and green surroundings, ideal for nature lovers.
Estanquiol pond in Calvinet, a local swimming spot in Châtaigneraie
The Estanquiol lake is a local swimming spot, appreciated for its peaceful setting and accessibility. Lifeguards are on duty in July and August.
Pioulat lake in Trizac, peaceful swimming on the high plateaus
Fed by the Civier stream and located near a campsite, the Pioulat lake offers unsupervised swimming in an environment typical of the Cantal highlands.
Lastioulles Lake in Trémouille, swimming and leisure activities at the gateway to Cézallier
Straddling the Cantal and Puy-de-Dôme departments, Lake Lastioulles is popular for swimming and water sports. The quality of its waters is regularly highlighted, with a Blue Flag label.
Campsites near the best swimming spots in Cantal
Among the hundred or so campsites in the department, you can choose from 68 campsites in Cantal, located a few kilometres from a lake or river.
Among them, we particularly recommend two campsites with direct access to a lake beach:
Huttopia Lac de la Siauve Campsite
The Huttopia Lac de la Siauve*** campsite is a true nature retreat perched on the shores of Lake Bort-les-Orgues. From the campsite, it is possible to reach the lake's supervised beach in a few minutes on foot, making it an ideal place to enjoy safe swimming, sunbathing and water sports (pedal boats, kayaks, paddleboards, etc.) in a green and peaceful setting.
Domaine la Plage du Garoustel, on the shores of Lake Saint-Etienne-Cantalès
The Domaine La Plage du Garoustel*** campsite enjoys an ideal location on the edge of Lake Saint-Étienne-Cantalès. Thanks to its immediate proximity to the beach (direct access from the estate), it allows holidaymakers to enjoy swimming, water sports and long afternoons by the water, while being located in a quiet environment between Cantal and Lot. It is also possible to reach Rénac beach in a few minutes.