Top 8 Lakes around Aubusson

The region around Aubusson, often called the 'lake district of France,' offers several popular lakes. Among them, Lake Vassivière stands out as one of the largest artificial lakes in France, known for its extensive recreational activities. Other notable lakes include Lac des Settons, Etang des Landes, and Lac de Sidiailles, each offering unique experiences.

The lakes around Aubusson are a hub for water sports. At Lake Vassivière, you can enjoy swimming, sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and water skiing. Lac des Settons also offers sailing, pedal boats, paddleboarding, windsurfing, and jet skiing. Lac de Sidiailles is great for canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, and pedal boats.

Yes, the lakes offer extensive opportunities for hiking and cycling. Lake Vassivière has trails ranging from 23 to 50 km along its shoreline. Lac des Settons features a well-marked 13 km (8 miles) track suitable for walking and cycling. For more specific routes, you can explore options like the 'Tour of Lac de Lavaud Gelade' or 'Lac de Vassivière et Faux-la-Montagne - loop in the Millevaches Regional Natural Park' found in the Cycling around Aubusson guide.

Absolutely. Many lakes are family-friendly. Lake Vassivière, Pinaud Pond, and Lake Lavaud Gelade are all highlighted as family-friendly. Lac de Sidiailles is also considered an ideal family destination, offering a white sandy beach and an adventure park.

Yes, fishing is a popular activity. Lake Vassivière is renowned for its fishing opportunities, with species like carp, pike, and perch. Pinaud Pond and Lake Lavaud Gelade are also suitable for fishing, with Etang des Landes being particularly known for carp fishing holidays.

The lakes are set within diverse natural environments. Lake Vassivière is nestled within the Millevaches Regional Natural Park, offering a 'Little Canada' atmosphere with forests, islands, and peninsulas. Lac des Settons is surrounded by fir and larch forests in the Morvan Regional Natural Park. Pinaud Pond is a natural area of ecological, faunal, and floristic interest, while Lake Lavaud Gelade is classified as a Natura 2000 area, retaining a wild and calm character.

Beyond water sports, several lakes offer adventure activities. Lake Vassivière has an adventure park. Lac des Settons features a 'Blob jump' and other inflatables, along with options for horse riding and quad biking nearby. Lac de Sidiailles boasts a Parcours Aventure (adventure park) with climbing walls, tunnels, lianas, and zip lines, some over 400 meters long.

The summer months are ideal for visiting the lakes, especially for swimming and water sports, with water temperatures at Lake Vassivière reaching up to 25°C. Many beaches are supervised during this period, and weekly markets are active at places like Lac des Settons in July and August. Spring and autumn offer pleasant conditions for hiking and enjoying the natural beauty.

Etang des Landes, classified as a National Nature Reserve, is an exceptional spot for nature lovers and birdwatchers. It offers 7 km of marked trails around the pond with observation hides. Lac des Settons also has a bird-watching area along its 13 km track.

Yes, several lakes offer sandy beaches for swimming. Lake Vassivière has multiple sandy beaches, some supervised during summer. Lac des Settons boasts a large Blue Flag-certified beach, and Lac de Sidiailles features a magnificent white sandy beach, making them all excellent choices for swimming and relaxation.

The region is rich in unique natural features. Pinaud Pond is a natural area of ecological, faunal, and floristic interest (ZNIEFF). Etang des Landes is classified as a National Nature Reserve. Lake Lavaud Gelade is a Natura 2000 classified area, known for its wild and calm character. Lake Vassivière is within the Millevaches Regional Natural Park, offering a protected and tranquil feel.

Yes, the area around the lakes is suitable for gravel biking. You can find routes such as 'View of Lake Vassivière – Vassivière Dam loop from Nergout' or 'Lake Vassivière – Lake Vassivière loop from Nergout' in the Gravel biking around Aubusson guide. These routes often provide views of the lakes and surrounding natural landscapes.