Discover in this article:
- Supervised beaches for families in Lozère
- The most beautiful river beaches in the Gorges du Tarn
- Swimming in the Cévennes and the valleys of Lozère
- Wild swimming in Lozère
- Which campsite should you stay at for swimming in Lozère?
- Useful tips
Supervised beaches for families in Lozère
With its mountain lakes, developed lakes and supervised river beaches, Lozère offers several family-friendly sites. These areas allow you to enjoy swimming in summer in a safe environment, often complemented by water sports and leisure facilities.
The beach at Lake Naussac in Langogne
At an altitude of over 1,000 metres, the large Lake Naussac is one of Lozère’s main leisure destinations. Its developed beach offers supervised swimming in July and August and attracts families thanks to its relaxation areas and the many water sports available on-site and nearby (sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, electric motorboats).
The beach at Lake Villefort
Situated at the foot of Mont Lozère, Lake Villefort offers a particularly pleasant mountain setting in summer. Its Blue Flag-awarded beach allows you to enjoy safe swimming in a natural setting popular with families. Swimming is supervised every afternoon in July and August, except on Mondays. You can also go canoeing, windsurfing or on pedalos, as well as hiking around the lake (8.6 km).
Gandrieu Lake
Less crowded than the major tourist lakes and just a 3-minute walk from the village centre, in the Margeride region, Gandrieu Lake is a lovely spot for a family day out with a quieter atmosphere. Swimming is permitted from mid-June onwards and is supervised from mid-July to mid-August.
The beach at Lake Ganivet in Lachamp-Ribennes
Situated in the Haute Colagne, in the foothills of the Margeride, the small Lake Ganivet offers a quieter alternative for visitors looking for a family swim in peaceful surroundings. Swimming is supervised during the summer months. You can also enjoy water sports there.
Lake Moulinet in Le Buisson
Located in the Aubrac Regional Nature Park, a few kilometres from Marvejols, Lake Moulinet is a popular local leisure spot. It offers opportunities for outdoor activities and water sports, as well as a swimming area, which is unsupervised during the summer season, except at the Aquaparc inflatable structure.
The supervised beach at Pont-de-Montvert, on the banks of the Tarn
In the heart of the Lozère Cévennes, Pont-de-Montvert boasts a bathing area that is particularly popular in summer, at the Pont de l'Horloge site. Bathing is supervised from mid-July to mid-August and the natural setting adds greatly to the charm of the place. Please note: do check before you visit whether swimming is permitted in 2026.
The most beautiful river beaches in the Gorges du Tarn
With their crystal-clear waters, limestone cliffs and charming villages, the Gorges du Tarn are home to some of the most beautiful swimming spots in Lozère. Here are several river beaches that are particularly popular for their exceptional natural setting.
The beach at Saint-Chély-du-Tarn in the Gorges du Tarn Causses
Saint-Chély-du-Tarn is one of the iconic sights of the Gorges du Tarn. Its exceptionally clear waters, waterfall, bridge and the village houses create a remarkable setting. The easy access to this beach, situated below the village and featuring a sandy section, also explains why it is so popular during the summer.
The beach at the Sainte-Énimie bridge in the Gorges du Tarn Causses
In the heart of the listed village of Sainte-Énimie, a designated access point to the Tarn allows you to swim directly beneath the main bridge. This very central spot offers a genuine river beach with an exceptional setting, nestled between cliffs and medieval streets. It is one of the most accessible swimming spots in the Gorges du Tarn.
Castelbouc Beach in the Tarn Gorges and Causses
With its village clinging to the rock and its rocky landscape, Castelbouc offers a spectacular setting for a swim in the gorges. Castelbouc beach is on the left bank of the Tarn, with the castle ruins and the village built on the cliffside in the background.
La Malène Beach
Located in one of the best-known sections of the Tarn Gorges, La Malène beach offers the chance to enjoy a swim in a preserved natural environment, a little downstream from the village.
The Vignes beach in Massegros Causses Gorges
In the heart of the Tarn Gorges, below the village, the Les Vignes village offers the chance to enjoy a swim in a stunning natural setting. Easily accessible, the site provides a refreshing stop-off by the banks of the Tarn.
Swimming in the Cévennes and the Lozère valleys
Beyond the Gorges du Tarn, the Cévennes and the Lozère valleys are brimming with more secluded swimming spots. Lakes, rivers and natural pools offer a chance to cool off in unspoilt landscapes, often away from the busiest sites.
The Florac lake in Florac Trois Rivières
In Florac, the lake on the banks of the Tarnon is one of the town’s main swimming spots. Originally created by a dam downstream from the town, it forms a large area of calm water with pebble beaches. The site is easily accessible from the town centre and has facilities for swimming and relaxing in summer.
La Mimente - La Salle-Prunet in Florac Trois Rivières
Just one kilometre from Florac, the Mimente offers a pleasant spot for swimming that is easily accessible from the road. This river forms a small natural pool, popular for its peaceful setting, ideal for cooling off after a hike in the Cévennes.
La Planche beach in Vialas
On the banks of the Luech, several natural pools allow you to enjoy a swim in a wild setting, near the hamlet of La Planche. The site also has basic facilities such as picnic tables.
The Gouffre de l’Oule at Pont-de-Montvert
In the Pont-de-Montvert area, 400m from the town’s outskirts, the natural pool at the Gouffre de l’Oule attracts lovers of wild swimming. A flight of steps, located next to the municipal campsite, leads directly to a small sandy beach on the left bank, but swimmers will prefer to settle on the granite rocks, both downstream and upstream. The site is unsupervised.
The Gardon de Sainte-Croix in Saint-Étienne-Vallée-Française
Near the village, not far from the Martinet waterfall, several natural pools have formed in the Gardon de Sainte-Croix, creating a popular spot to cool off in a Cévennes atmosphere.
Wild swimming in Lozère
For those seeking more secluded spots, Lozère also boasts numerous natural sites ideal for swimming. These spots sometimes require a bit of a walk or caution, but in return offer a particularly unspoilt setting.
The Baou de l’Estival in Fontans
In the Margeride, the Baou de l’Estival reveals a wild setting amidst granite boulders, a river and a small waterfall. Accessible after a walk from the hamlet of Lestival, this unspoilt site offers small areas ideal for swimming in a much more secluded atmosphere than the larger spots in Lozère.
The Pierres de Cocurès in Bédouès Cocurès
In the upper Tarn Gorges, in the Cocurès area, several natural spots let you enjoy the river in a very wild setting. Access involves a short walk of a s along a path that is sometimes steep, but the site then reveals large rock slabs ideal for settling down by the water’s edge and swimming in a preserved environment.
The Niau pool at Bédouès Cocurès
Accessible from Bédouès Cocurès, the Niau pool is a natural site featuring several pools of clear water.
Le Pas de Soucy in Les Vignes
Located between Le Rozier and Les Vignes and known for its impressive rock formations, the Pas de Soucy offers a few small swimming spots. Particular care is still required due to the sometimes strong currents.
The Cirque des Baumes at Massegros Causses Gorges
Between La Malène and Les Vignes, the cirque des Baumes offers a spectacular setting of cliffs and caves overlooking the Tarn Gorges. The area, very popular for hiking and climbing, also provides occasional access to the river in places for a swim in a wild setting.
Which campsite should you choose for swimming in Lozère?
There are nearly a hundred campsites in Lozère, often situated on the banks of a river or near a lake. Between the Tarn Gorges, the Cévennes and the wilder valleys, several sites make it easy to enjoy the pleasures of the water during your holiday.
Nature et Rivière at Gorges du Tarn Causses
On the banks of the Tarn, the Yelloh! Village Nature et Rivière*** campsite has two beautiful private beaches offering direct access to the river.
Huttopia Gorges du Tarn in Massegros Causses Gorges
Situated on the banks of the Tarn, the Huttopia Gorges du Tarn*** campsite offers direct access to the river, allowing you to enjoy a pleasant swim in a preserved natural environment.
Le Capelan in Meyrueis
Situated near the Jonte, the Le Capelan**** campsite offers access to the river, ideal for cooling off after a day’s hiking or exploring the Cévennes countryside.
La Molière in Vebron
Crossed by the Tarnon, La Molière** campsite lets you enjoy the cool waters of the river at the foot of the site, ideal for cooling off on summer days.
Useful tips for swimming in Lozère
Swimming in Lozère is possible both at supervised beaches and in wilder rivers. In supervised areas, it is important to respect the lifeguard hours, which are generally limited to the summer season.
In rivers, extra caution is required, particularly with children: some currents can be strong, even when the water appears calm on the surface. The water, often sourced from springs or mountains, also remains quite cool, even in the height of summer.
Before setting off, it is advisable to check local swimming conditions and water quality, which can vary depending on the time of year and rainfall.
Finally, as these natural sites are particularly well-preserved, it is essential to respect the environment: leaving nothing behind helps to preserve these swimming spots for everyone.
These recommendations will help you enjoy the many swimming spots in Lozère in complete safety.