Supervised swimming in Puy-de-Dôme: safety and comfort for the whole family
The Puy-de-Dôme is brimming with lakes and bodies of water where swimming is supervised in summer. These sites are perfect for families, with well-maintained beaches, water sports and a safe environment.
Lake Aydat
The beach at Lake Aydat, the largest natural lake in Auvergne, offers supervised swimming during the summer and access to the sailing school, which offers a wide variety of activities ranging from pedalos to sailing (catamaran, windsurfing, etc.) and water sports (Efoil, wing foil, paddleboarding, etc.). Located at the foot of the Sancy massif, 30 minutes from Clermont-Ferrand, it is ideal for families. Find out more.
Lake Chambon (Chambon and Murol beaches)
Lake Chambon offers two supervised bathing areas at the foot of the Puy de Sancy. Chambon beach is the busiest and best-equipped: fine sand, lifeguards in summer and water sports such as pedalos and windsurfing. Murol beach, smaller and more secluded, also offers supervised swimming, ideal for families seeking a quieter, more natural setting, with shaded areas and direct access to the lake for children.
Fades-Besserve lake(3 beaches)
Lake Fades-Besserve is situated in the heart of the Combrailles, a popular area for hiking and outdoor activities. It offers two supervised beaches, each with its own atmosphere. La Chazotte beach in Saint-Jacques-d’Ambur is ideal for families with children: sand, supervised swimming and picnic areas. Confolant beach in Miremont is quieter, surrounded by greenery, perfect for relaxing and enjoying gentle water sports such as pedalos. Finally, Pont du Bouchet beach, also in Miremont but unsupervised, offers a wilder setting, with shaded areas and natural spaces for direct contact with nature whilst enjoying a swim. Find out more.
Les Prades lake in Rémy-sur-Durolle (2 beaches)
The Prades lake is situated in the Livradois-Forez Regional Nature Park, a tourist region known for its hiking trails and picturesque villages. It has two separate, well-equipped beaches. The main, larger beach is lifeguarded during the summer and family-friendly, with a playground and water activities such as pedalos and canoes. The secondary beach, which is quieter and shaded, is ideal for those seeking relaxation and tranquillity.
Vernet-la-Varenne lake
The Vernet lake, situated in the Livradois-Forez Regional Nature Park, south of Puy-de-Dôme, offers supervised swimming in summer within a pleasant natural setting. Developed with a beach, relaxation areas and water sports, it is a popular spot for families, close to the village and the rolling landscapes of the Issoire region. You can also enjoy the nearby tree-top adventure park.
Cournon-d’Auvergne leisure area
The Cournon-d’Auvergne lake, situated along the River Allier, offers supervised swimming during the summer season, with relaxation areas and water sports near Clermont-Ferrand. Find out more.
Iloa beach in Thiers
The beach at the Iloa Leisure Centre, situated within the Iloa les Rives de Thiers complex, is a family-friendly beach with lifeguard supervision, awarded Blue Flag status and surrounded by green spaces. It is located close to the historic centre of Thiers, a town renowned for its cutlery and picturesque narrow streets.
Lake von la Tour d’Auvergne
At an altitude of 940 metres, Lake von Tour d’Auvergne is an artificial lake offering supervised swimming in summer, in a peaceful, natural setting on the western slope of the Sancy massif.
Lake von Aubusson d’Auvergne leisure centre
The Lake von Aubusson d’Auvergne leisure centre offers supervised swimming and water activities in a leafy setting, a few kilometres from Thiers, in the Livradois-Forez area.
Hermines lake in Super Besse
Hermines Lake in Super Besse has a supervised beach and a children’s water play area, ideal for combining swimming and water-based activities in the heart of the Sancy massif.
Arlanc leisure centre
The Arlanc leisure centre offers a well-equipped beach with supervised swimming during the summer, surrounded by greenery and suitable for families as well as nature lovers and hikers in the Livradois-Forez region.
Saint-Anthème lake
The Saint-Anthème lake, situated in the Livradois-Forez region, east of Puy-de-Dôme, offers supervised swimming in summer within a pleasant natural setting. Designed with families in mind, it features a beach, relaxation areas and opportunities for water sports, set in lush green surroundings ideal for hiking and outdoor activities.
Unsupervised swimming: freedom and relaxation in Puy-de-Dôme
For those who prefer a peaceful swim, certain lakes and water bodies allow you to swim freely whilst enjoying pleasant natural surroundings. Caution is still required as swimming is unsupervised.
Saint-Eloy-les-Mines lake
Set against a fine sandy beach, the Saint-Eloy-les-Mines lake offers swimming that is generally unsupervised – although supervision may be provided in July and August (check before you go). The water quality is excellent, and the average temperature in July and August is 24°C! It is surrounded by greenery and offers a pleasant setting for swimming in the Combrailles Auvergne, in the north-west of the Puy-de-Dôme department. Find out more.
Cunlhat lake
The Cunlhat lake is a small, peaceful, unsupervised body of water, ideal for cooling off in the heart of the countryside. It lies away from the major towns, in the tranquil natural setting of the Livradois-Forez region, perfect for those who love peace and quiet and hiking.
Loge lake in Lapeyrouse
The Loge lake offers free swimming in a peaceful natural setting. It is situated in the north of Puy-de-Dôme, in the heart of the Combrailles, near the village of Lapeyrouse. This area is popular for its rolling landscapes, forests and hiking trails, offering visitors an ideal setting for swimming, fishing and nature walks. Find out more.
La Prade lake in Servant
The Prade lake, situated in Servant, in the Combrailles to the north of Puy-de-Dôme, offers unsupervised swimming in a peaceful, unspoilt natural setting. Surrounded by hills and vegetation, this site is popular for its tranquillity, ideal for relaxation, fishing and walks along the water’s edge. Find out more.
Philippe pond in Saint-Gervais-d’Auvergne
Philippe pond offers a natural and peaceful setting for a traditional swim. Swimming here is unsupervised, but the setting is ideal for enjoying nature and the tranquillity. The site is easily accessible from the village of Saint-Gervais-d’Auvergne and is close to the hiking trails that criss-cross the Combrailles. Find out more.
Chambreloche Lake
The Chambreloche lake, situated to the east of Puy-de-Dôme, near the village, offers unsupervised swimming in a peaceful natural setting. Surrounded by greenery, this small lake is appreciated for its tranquillity, ideal for cooling off, fishing or enjoying a moment of relaxation in the heart of nature.
The Puy-de-Dôme’s wilder beaches: unspoilt nature and tranquillity
For those seeking an authentic swimming experience, certain lakes offer an unspoilt natural setting, far from developed areas and crowds. These sites are perfect for lovers of nature and tranquillity.
Béal des Roziers pond in Savennes
The Béal des Roziers lake is a peaceful spot for a swim. It is situated in the west of the Puy-de-Dôme, near the village of Savennes. Its rural and natural surroundings make it a tranquil place to swim, relax or stroll around the water’s edge. Find out more.
Gour de Tazenat in Charbonnières-les-Vieilles (2 beaches)
The Gour de Tazenat is a volcanic lake set in unspoilt countryside, surrounded by the forests and hills typical of the Combrailles. It offers two small, unsupervised beaches, ideal for nature lovers. The site is also popular with hikers and geology enthusiasts, with panoramic views of the nearby Chaîne des Puys. Find out more.
Lake Anschald in Bromont-Lamothe
The Anschald reservoir is situated in the heart of the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature Park. This unsupervised lake offers a preserved natural setting, with shaded areas and easy access for swimming. The surrounding area boasts numerous hiking trails and picturesque villages, perfect for combining a swim with sightseeing. Find out more.
Le Pré Cohadon lake in Murat-le-Quaire
The Pré Cohadon lake, situated in the heart of the Sancy massif, offers unsupervised swimming in a peaceful natural setting. Surrounded by meadows and volcanic hills, this lake is popular for its tranquil atmosphere.
Campsites where you can swim in the lakes of Puy-de-Dôme
To make the most of the lakes in this department of Auvergne, several campsites in Puy-de-Dôme offer direct access to or are located near swimming spots.
Campsites on the shores of the major lakes in Puy-de-Dôme
Yelloh! Village Le Pré Bas***** campsite – Chambon-sur-Lac: right on the shores of Lake Chambon, with a beach, supervised swimming in summer and water sports.
La Ribeyre***** campsite – Murol: situated just 1 km from Lake Chambon, this campsite has a private swimming lake, a well-equipped beach and water sports such as paddleboarding and canoeing, with views of Murol Castle.
Camping L’Europe**** – Murol: an 800-metre walk from Lake Chambon, offering easy access to swimming and the family-friendly areas of the lake.
Camping du Lac d’Aydat*** – Aydat: a campsite on the shores of Lake Aydat, ideal for supervised swimming and water sports in an exceptional volcanic and natural setting.
Campsites near other lakes in the department
You don’t need to be right by the water to make the most of swimming in Auvergne. The campsites combine comfort and tranquillity, whilst offering easy access to a nearby lake or body of water for an afternoon of nature and swimming. Here is a selection:
To reach the Cournon-d’Auvergne leisure area, several campsites such as Le Clos Auroy**** in Orcet or Huttopia Royat**** provide easy access to this site situated along the River Allier.
Le Moulin de Serre*** campsite in Singles: this campsite is situated 2km from Lake Bort-les-Orgues, where you can swim on the Corrèze side, and close to the wilder lakes and water bodies of the Puy-de-Dôme, such as Lake Fades-Besserve, the Béal des Roziers lake in Savennes and the Saint-Eloy-les-Mines lake. It is an ideal base for exploring several natural swimming spots, set in a peaceful, green setting.
The Les Sablons** campsite in Pont-du-Château is ideal for accessing the Vernet-la-Varenne lake (≈15–20 km), perfect for a day’s swimming from the campsite.
The La Vallée Verte*** campsite in Saint-Nectaire and the Clos Auroy**** campsite in Orcet are situated near Lake La Tour d’Auvergne, with supervised swimming in summer.
The Ranch des Volcans**** campsite in Châtel-Guyon and the Huttopia Royat**** campsite offer easy access to Lake Aubusson d’Auvergne and other lakes in the north of Puy-de-Dôme, allowing you to combine swimming with exploring the region around Clermont-Ferrand.
Practical advice on swimming in Puy-de-Dôme
Before enjoying a swim in Puy-de-Dôme, it is important to take a few precautions. Always check for lifeguards and the opening times of the beaches, especially in summer, and keep a close eye on children, even in shallow areas. To preserve the natural beauty of the lakes and water bodies, respect the environment: leave no litter behind, use biodegradable sun cream where possible, and avoid disturbing the local flora and fauna. Finally, check the water quality before swimming, as some areas may be temporarily closed or not recommended based on health tests. These simple steps ensure everyone can enjoy swimming safely in a preserved natural setting.