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The best places to swim in Tarn-et-Garonne

Baignade dans le Tarn-et-Garonne, plage des Molières©ADT82, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Baignade dans le Tarn-et-Garonne, plage des Molières©ADT82, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

With its man-made lakes, leisure centres and rivers, Tarn-et-Garonne offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy a swim in the heart of nature. Discover our selection of spots where you can cool off with family or friends, from supervised swimming areas to wilder river spots.

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Lakes and leisure centres in Tarn-et-Garonne

To enjoy swimming in a pleasant setting, several lakes and leisure centres in Tarn-et-Garonne offer beaches with facilities, relaxation areas and water sports. Here are the main places to swim during the summer season.

Malivert Leisure Centre in Molières

Enjoy a swim at Molières
Enjoy a swim at Molières© Base de loisirs du Malivert

Set in the heart of a natural, unspoilt area, Lake Molières covers 10 hectares. This leisure centre is ideal for enjoying a day by the water, whether swimming, relaxing, fishing or going for a walk. The fine sandy beach has been awarded Blue Flag status.

Swimming is supervised during the summer season, from late June to late August. There is an admission charge to the Malivert Leisure Centre during this period. Outside the swimming season, the site remains open free of charge to walkers and anglers.

The leisure centre also offers pedalos, canoes and stand-up paddleboards for hire. Find out more.

Les 3 Lacs Leisure Centre in Monclar-de-Quercy

The leisure centre, offering swimming in the lake or the pool
The leisure centre, offering swimming in the lake or the pool © Office de Tourisme de Monclar-de-Quercy.

In the heart of the Quercy Vert, the 3 Lacs Leisure Centre offers a pleasant natural setting in which to enjoy sunny days. Awarded the Blue Flag, it features a lake specifically designated for swimming, flanked by two fine sandy beaches linked by a jetty. Swimming in the lake is permitted along the entire western shore and is supervised in the afternoons in June, all day on Sundays in June, and then every day in July and August.

There is an admission charge to enter the leisure centre. The site also offers a wide range of activities, including water play areas and the Waterfun water park, which is open in the afternoons during the summer season. You can go rowing on the large lake.

Lac des Chênes Leisure Centre in Montaigu-de-Quercy

Set in the heart of a vast oak forest, Chênes lake covers 3.5 hectares and boasts a large beach of fine sand. This leisure centre is ideal for spending a day with family or friends, enjoying swimming, relaxation and outdoor activities. Shaded areas also allow you to enjoy the site in comfort. The leisure centre is open at weekends from mid-June and every day in July and August. Lifeguards are on duty from 11.00 am. There is an admission charge for access to the leisure centre and the swimming area.

The site also offers canoe hire. For children, a bouncy castle area and a trampoline are also available for an additional charge.

Parisot Lake

Swimming at Parisot
Swimming at Parisot© DR

Near Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, Lake Parisot is a well-equipped family-friendly site, ideal for enjoying a day by the water. Its sandy beach and natural surroundings are perfect for relaxing and swimming.

In July and August, lifeguards are on duty from 11 am. There is an admission charge for the leisure centre and the swimming area.

The site also offers pedalos, stand-up paddleboards and canoes for hire. In summer, the Aquapark and its inflatable attractions ensure you can make the most of a family day out.

Swimming in the rivers of Tarn-et-Garonne

Tarn-et-Garonne also offers several opportunities for swimming in its rivers, particularly along the Aveyron and the Viaur. Some sites are developed and supervised during the season, whilst at other spots you can swim freely, without supervision.

Developed swimming area on the Viaur at Laguépie

 Supervised beach on the banks of the Viaur
Supervised beach on the banks of the Viaur© DR

The beach with facilities at Laguépie allows visitors to enjoy a swim in the heart of nature in the waters of the Viaur, near its confluence with the Aveyron. This family-friendly spot is particularly pleasant for those new to river swimming.

Swimming is supervised every afternoon in July and August by two lifeguards. Access to the swimming area is free and water quality is regularly monitored.

Swimming in the Aveyron at Ardus Beach in Lamothe-Capdeville

Ardus Beach
Ardus Beach© Montauban Tourisme

About fifteen minutes from Montauban, Ardus Beach lies on the banks of the River Aveyron, in a peaceful natural setting, in the shade of poplar trees. Swimming takes place in a natural, pool formed by the river’s calm waters, with a designated swimming area of 5,000 m² and a maximum depth of 2 metres. A small sandy beach allows visitors to make the most of the waterside.

Swimming is supervised in the afternoons during July and August. Outside this period, swimming is still permitted at your own risk. Find out more.

Swimming in the Aveyron at Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val

At the foot of the Aveyron Gorges, Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val offers plenty of spots to enjoy the river.

In particular, you can swim at the Guinguette de la Plage, situated upstream of the dam. Nearby, a ford provides access to a small island where rocks and sand alternate, offering a pleasant setting for swimming in the shade of the trees.

Canoeing in the Aveyron Gorges, at a spot known as Manjocarn. Swimming is also possible.
Canoeing in the Aveyron Gorges, at a spot known as Manjocarn. Swimming is also possible. © ADT82, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

A few kilometres downstream from the village, the private beaches of Manjocarn and Les Robinsons – situated opposite each other on either side of the River Aveyron – also offer the chance to enjoy the river whilst taking a break for a drink or a bite to eat at the riverside cafés. Further on, the Saut du Loup is another popular spot for swimmers.

Highly popular for canoeing, the area offers the chance to explore the river and its scenery on a downstream trip, with plenty of opportunities to stop for a swim along the Aveyron.

Swimming in the Aveyron is unsupervised and is undertaken at your own risk.

Discover all the swimming spots in Tarn-et-Garonne.

Campsites in Tarn-et-Garonne with access to swimming

There are 34 campsites in Tarn-et-Garonne, several of which are located not far from swimming spots.

We recommend two particularly good campsites for enjoying a swim in the river: they are also situated about fifteen kilometres from Lake Parisot and around 20 km from the supervised river beach at Laguépie, making it easy to vary your swimming spots during your stay.

Le Noble Val campsite in Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val

Le Noble Val*** campsite has a small private beach with direct access to the River Aveyron, as well as a swimming pool. This family-friendly and welcoming campsite allows you to enjoy a holiday in the heart of nature, whilst being close to a wide range of activities such as canoeing, fishing, caving, tree-top adventure courses, mountain biking and rock climbing.

Les Gorges de l’Aveyron campsite in Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val

Right next door, the Les Gorges de l’Aveyron**** campsite has direct access to the river, with a small grassy beach and a jetty. You can enjoy a swim in the Aveyron, as well as the campsite’s heated swimming pool. Canoes can be hired directly on site to explore the river and the Aveyron Gorges.

Useful tips for enjoying a swim in Tarn-et-Garonne

Before going for a swim in Tarn-et-Garonne, remember to check the swimming conditions and water quality, particularly after heavy rain or during hot weather. Lifeguard supervision times and schedules vary by location: check before you go.

When with children, constant supervision is essential, even where swimming is supervised. In rivers and natural lakes, depth, currents and the shape of the banks can vary: always stay close to young children and choose designated swimming areas.

Finally, please respect the sites and their surroundings by taking your rubbish away and preserving the banks, vegetation and tranquillity of these natural areas.

 

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