Contents of the article:
- Swimming lakes and leisure areas in the Drôme
- Swimming in the great outdoors: rivers and waterfalls
- Camping close to swimming spots in the Drôme
- Practical tips
Swimming lakes and leisure areas in the Drôme
The lakes, ponds and leisure areas in the Drôme are perfect for a refreshing day out with the family. With their beaches, swimming areas supervised by lifeguards in summer and leisure facilities, they offer a chance to enjoy a refreshing break in complete peace of mind.
Domaine du Lac de Champos (Saint-Donat-sur-l’Herbasse)
The Domaine du lac de Champos has a designated swimming area that is supervised throughout the summer season. The leisure centre is open from late May to late August, depending on the period, and every day in July and August. The beach remains accessible even when the leisure centre is partially closed. Admission fee applies.
In summer, the site also offers a range of water sports, such as pedalos, canoes and stand-up paddleboards for hire, as well as water slides.
Lake Pignedoré (Pierrelatte)
Located in Pierrelatte, Lake Pignedoré has a designated swimming area. The site is open all year round and offers a pleasant setting to cool off in summer. The beach is supervised during the summer season, with three lifeguards on duty every afternoon in July and August.
On the southern side, an area is set aside for non-motorised water sports. Visitors can enjoy various activities such as windsurfing, rowing, pedalos, canoeing and Optimist dinghy sailing, in a setting ideal for outdoor leisure pursuits.
Montélimar Leisure Centre
Situated on Lake Montmeillan, the Montélimar Leisure Centre offers an ideal swimming area for a family day out. The sandy beach allows for a gradual entry into the water thanks to a gentle slope, down to a depth of around 1.5 metres. Lifeguards are on duty in July and August, from Wednesday to Sunday.
The site is open to the public from May to the end of August and has access facilities for people with reduced mobility.
Lake Vernets (Saint-Barthélemy-de-Vals / Saint-Uze)
Lake Vernets features a sandy beach lined with numerous trees, providing ample shade throughout the day, and a range of facilities suitable for family outings.
Access to the water is supervised in summer, making it a suitable spot for families with children. On site, you can also enjoy water sports such as pedalos and stand-up paddleboarding, as well as an inflatable water park open in July and August.
Access to the lake is subject to a charge during the summer months, but is free at other times, subject to opening hours. Find out more.
Pas des Ondes Lake (Cornillon-sur-l’Oule)
Pas des Ondes lake is situated in an unspoilt natural setting. It comprises two bodies of water, one of which is for swimming and the other for water sports.
Lifeguards are on duty in July and August, during which time there is an admission charge. Pedalos, stand-up paddleboards and kayaks are available for hire. The site is open all year round.
La Truite du Père Eugène (Beaumont-lès-Valence)
La Truite du Père Eugène offers a beach for swimming just a few kilometres from Valence. As well as the restaurant and fishing lake on the estate, the spot provides a pleasant leisure area where you can enjoy a day by the lake.
Swimming is supervised every day in July and August, making it a particularly family-friendly spot. There is an admission charge.
Swimming in the heart of nature: the rivers and waterfalls of the Drôme
The Drôme also boasts numerous river swimming spots, popular for their natural setting and refreshing waters. These places invite you to enjoy unspoilt landscapes, featuring pebble beaches, natural pools and waterfalls. As access to the water is unsupervised, you are advised to remain vigilant.
Here are a few examples:
The Drôme between Mirabel-et-Blacons and the Batelier bridge at Piégros-la-Clastre
The Drôme valley offers several access points to the river between Mirabel-et-Blacons and the Batelier Bridge, in the Piégros-la-Clastre area. This stretch is particularly popular in summer for its pebble beaches and numerous swimming spots.
Depending on the area, the Drôme creates stretches of water that are more or less calm, allowing visitors to enjoy a refreshing break in a setting that is very popular during the summer months.
The Roubion (Pont-de-Barret, Soyans, Francillon-sur-Roubion)
The Roubion offers several swimming spots in the heart of the countryside, particularly around Pont-de-Barret, Soyans and Francillon-sur-Roubion. These access points allow you to enjoy the river in a wild setting, with calm areas ideal for cooling off in summer.
The Lez at Pont au Jas (Montbrison-sur-Lez / Taulignan)
The Pont au Jas area, on the Lez, offers pleasant access to the river in an unspoilt setting. Depending on the section, the river forms several spots perfect for relaxing and swimming, which are particularly popular during the hot summer months.
Le Claps in Luc-en-Diois
An iconic natural site in the Diois region, the Claps in Luc-en-Diois is an impressive rocky landscape through which the River Drôme flows. The river creates several areas ideal for swimming, which are very popular in summer thanks to the cool water and spectacular surroundings.
This spot is very busy during the summer months. Caution is advised, particularly when the river’s flow varies.
Aiguebelle Waterfall (Pontaix)
Near Pontaix, the Aiguebelle Waterfall offers a cool retreat in the heart of an unspoilt natural environment. At the foot of the waterfall, a natural pool invites you to cool off (with caution) on hot days.
Cascade Blanche (Sainte-Eulalie)
Set in unspoilt countryside, the Cascade Blanche forms a small natural pool that’s a popular spot for cooling off in the great outdoors on summer’s days.
Le Pas du Goure (Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert)
Le Pas du Goure is situated in a secluded and unspoilt setting. The natural pools formed by the River Roanne offer several lovely spots to cool off in this particularly wild natural setting.
Camping close to the swimming spots in the Drôme
With nearly 150 campsites in the Drôme, the department offers a wide choice of accommodation to make the most of summer water activities. A camping holiday allows you to combine comfort, nature and quick access to the main swimming spots, whether they be developed lakes, rivers or natural bodies of water. Some campsites even enjoy a prime location right next to these refreshing spots, such as the Domaine du lac de Champos*** campsite, which offers its guests free access to the lakeside beach. Here is our selection of campsites:
Campsites in the Drôme with a private lake or pond
Some campsites in the Drôme have their own lakes, allowing you to enjoy a swim on site in a natural setting.
The Lac Bleu**** campsite in Châtillon-en-Diois boasts a private lake ideal for swimming and water sports such as canoeing, in the heart of the Diois region.
The Huttopia Dieulefit*** campsite has a private pond where you can enjoy a natural swim and a peaceful setting to relax in during the summer. Campers really love diving off the jetty!
Campsites along the River Drôme
Several campsites in the Drôme region have direct access to the River Drôme, offering an ideal setting to enjoy the water in the heart of nature. In Mirabel-et-Blacons, Gervanne Camping**** provides easy access to the river, near the Pont des Bateliers, in an area renowned for its natural beaches. Further upstream, the Les Chapelains*** campsite in Saillans, the Justin municipal campsite** and the Chamarges campsite** in Die also offer direct access to the Drôme, with areas that are more or less peaceful depending on the location – ideal for cooling off in summer.
Campsites along the Eygues
In the south of the department, several campsites are situated right on the banks of the Eygues, a river renowned for its generally shallow waters, perfect for summer relaxation. In Nyons, the Les Clos**** campsite offers direct access to the river in a peaceful natural setting. The Les Ramières**** campsite in Sahune and the Les Rives de l’Aygues*** campsite in Tulette also provide immediate access to the river, allowing you to enjoy refreshing moments surrounded by nature.
Campsites within 20 km of the main swimming spots
Several campsites in the Drôme offer easy access to the department’s swimming spots, with journeys generally under twenty kilometres.
The Domaine Provençal**** campsite (Dieulefit) is situated about a 15-minute drive from the banks of the Lez, towards La Roche-Saint-Secret; this campsite is an ideal starting point for reaching the river and enjoying its refreshing waters.
The Château de Galaure**** campsite (Châteauneuf-de-Galaure), situated near the northern part of the department, offers quick access to the Domaine du lac de Champos, one of the main organised swimming spots in the Drôme.
The La Colline*** campsite (Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux) offers quick access to Lake Pignedoré in Pierrelatte, an alternative to the campsite’s swimming pool.
Practical tips for enjoying the swimming spots in the Drôme
Before you set off, there are a few precautions you can take to ensure you make the most of the Drôme’s lakes, rivers and other bodies of water whilst helping to preserve these natural areas.
Check the water quality before you set off. Bathing water quality reports are regularly updated at designated sites. Check the available information before you go, particularly after heavy rain.
Opt for supervised sites if you’re visiting with your family. In July and August, several swimming spots have lifeguards on duty. Do, however, remember to check the days and times when supervision is provided, as these may vary from place to place: supervision is not always available all day. In any case, remain vigilant, especially with children.
Plan your visit in advance during the summer months. The most popular sites can get very busy in July and August. By arriving first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon, you’ll generally enjoy a quieter setting and find a parking space more easily.
Take care near rivers. Even when the water level appears low, the current may be stronger than it seems and can change rapidly depending on weather conditions. Avoid swimming after heavy rain and follow any safety instructions that may be in place.
Please respect these natural areas. Take your rubbish away with you, avoid making noise and stay on the designated paths where possible. These simple actions help to preserve the quality of the bathing areas and the biodiversity around them.