Top 10 Lakes around La Roche-Sur-Yon
Best lakes around La Roche-Sur-Yon offer diverse natural settings for outdoor activities. La Roche-sur-Yon is situated in a region characterized by several lakes, providing opportunities for recreation and connection with nature. These bodies of water serve various purposes, including drinking water reservoirs and leisure destinations. The area's lakes feature trails for hiking and cycling, as well as spots for water sports and fishing.
Best lakes around La Roche-Sur-Yon
- The most popular lakes is Lac de la Tricherie, a lake that features a beach, facilities, and a restaurant. It is known as a lively summer destination with a trail next to the water.
- Another must-see spot is Lac de la Bultière, an artificial water reservoir. Visitors can go around the lake via a 15 km path and find a rich fish population, making it suitable for predator fishing.
- Visitors also love Lake Rochereau, a lake with an area of 125 hectares. It is the largest drinking water reserve in the Grand Lay Valley and offers good fishing conditions with diverse fish species.
- La Roche-Sur-Yon is known for artificial reservoirs, natural sites, and lakes with recreational facilities. The region offers a variety of lakes to see and explore, from tranquil fishing spots to active water sports centers.
- The lakes around La Roche-Sur-Yon are appreciated by the komoot community, with 67 upvotes and 22 photos shared across 10 highlights.
Last updated: May 17, 2026
Lac de la Bultière
Highlight • Lake
This lake of exceptional fish wealth awaits you with almost all kinds of fish (perch, pike, zander, catfish, carp, roach, bream, tench, etc.). You can practice predator fishing from the shore or with a boat to catch zander or pike, catfish.
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Moulin Papon Dam
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Marillet Lake
Highlight • Lake
The hillsides, made up of meadows and heaths, are very dry. The particularly poor subsoil explains the presence of flora with almost Mediterranean aspects.
The songs of the European oriole and the common nightingale give this site a particularly melodious atmosphere in spring, while the kingfisher traces a shimmering blue arc above the body of water. The wings of the numerous dragonflies are so many sparkling points on the lake like those of the imposing brown orthetrum or the nimble dryad.
Walkers and fishermen find their favorite terrain here. Classified as a green route, departmental 60 offers beautiful views of the southernmost part of the lake between Château-Guibert and Mareuil-sur-Lay.
Swimming is prohibited there.
(Info South Vendée Coast Tourism)
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Lake Rochereau
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Beau Soleil natural site
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Picnic area at Lake Moulin Papon
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Lac de la Tricherie
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Étang de l'Aujardière
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Tricherie Lake
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The Green Woods
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Popular around La Roche-Sur-Yon
La Vélidéale - From the Limousin to the Atlantic
Coast, marshes and hedges — Vendée Vélo Tour
Hiking around La Roche-Sur-Yon
Running Trails around La Roche-Sur-Yon
Cycling around La Roche-Sur-Yon
Road Cycling Routes around La Roche-Sur-Yon
MTB Trails around La Roche-Sur-Yon
Gravel biking around La Roche-Sur-Yon
Other adventures around La Roche-Sur-Yon
Tips from the Community
After the hike, enjoy this picnic area and the view of the surroundings.
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Bultière Lake is an artificial reservoir. The Bultière Dam was built in 1994. It is located in the commune of Chavagne en paillers. It supplies the drinking water network. Its surface area is 72 hectares and contains 5.2 million cubic meters of water. It is possible to walk around the lake via a 15-km trail. This lake, with its exceptionally rich fish population, awaits you with almost every type of fish (perch, pike, zander, catfish, carp, roach, bream, tench, etc.). You can go predator fishing from the shore or from a boat to catch zander, pike, and catfish. It is, of course, possible to still fish for roach, bleak, or bream. Carp are also present in this lake. A night carp fishing route located on the right bank in the Maurosière sector will delight those who love a good catch.
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Beautiful pond surrounded by magnificent trees. Plenty of benches that encourage rest or contemplation. A welcome little patch of greenery after crossing the vineyard in the full sun. A trail allows you to go around the natural site, but I didn't have time to try it. Note that the path that connects La Fauvette to La Pontereau is very smooth and magnificent.
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This vast body of water, popular for fishing and nature walks, offers an ideal setting for a bike ride along its banks. The trails surrounding the lake reveal superb views of the calm water and the surrounding hills.
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It’s a shame that the lake tour is not maintained, brambles and thorns sometimes require passage through the water, very narrow paths due to lack of maintenance
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Super course with small wild coves, clean and well maintained path. Be careful with some slightly technical passages. Needed to get off the bike twice on short rocky bars.
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Great lake to take a dip during an outing. There is a campsite for an evening bivouac.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best lakes for hiking around La Roche-sur-Yon?
Several lakes offer excellent hiking opportunities. Lac de la Bultière features a 15 km path encircling the lake, ideal for walks and bike rides. Moulin Papon Dam is part of the larger Lac de Moulin Papon, which has a 19 km perimeter, perfect for hiking and mountain biking. Marillet Lake also offers developed trails through unique natural landscapes. For more options, you can explore various hiking routes around the region, including those around Lac de Moulin Papon and Lac des Bultières, by visiting our guide on Hiking around La Roche-Sur-Yon.
Are there family-friendly lakes near La Roche-sur-Yon?
Yes, many lakes are well-suited for families. Lac de la Tricherie is a lively summer destination with a beach, facilities, and even a treetop adventure course. Lac du Jaunay is another excellent choice, offering ample shady areas, swimming, pedal boating, and donkey riding. Picnic area at Lake Moulin Papon provides a great spot for a family break with views of the surroundings.
Which lakes offer water sports or recreational activities?
For water sports, Lac de Moulin Papon hosts a nautical base where you can enjoy windsurfing, dinghy sailing, and rowing. Lac de la Bultière offers rowing, canoeing, slacklining, paddleboarding, and guided semi-nocturnal canoe or paddle excursions. Lac du Jaunay is also known for its wide range of nautical activities, including swimming and pedal boating.
Can I go fishing in the lakes around La Roche-sur-Yon?
Absolutely. Fishing is a popular activity in many lakes. Lac de la Bultière is renowned for its exceptional fish diversity, including pike, zander, and carp, making it a prime spot for predator fishing. Lake Rochereau, the largest drinking water reserve in the Grand Lay Valley, also offers good fishing conditions with a rich variety of fish species. Lac de Moulin Papon is another popular fishing spot with pike, zander, and carp.
Are there lakes suitable for swimming near La Roche-sur-Yon?
Yes, Lac de la Tricherie is a dedicated swimming lake with a beach area. Lac d'Apremont is another close option for swimming, featuring a dedicated beach and amenities. Lac du Jaunay also permits swimming and is a popular spot for cooling off.
What kind of natural features or wildlife can I expect to see?
The lakes around La Roche-sur-Yon are rich in natural beauty. Marillet Lake, for instance, is known for its unique flora with almost Mediterranean characteristics due to its dry hillsides. Beau Soleil natural site offers beautiful forest and natural monument features. Many lakes, like Lac de la Bultière and Lake Rochereau, are home to diverse fish populations, and the tranquil settings often attract various bird species and other local wildlife.
Are there accessible paths around the lakes for easy walks?
Many lakes offer well-maintained paths suitable for easy walks. Lac de Moulin Papon has a smooth perimeter path, and Étang de l'Aujardière features raised wooden walkways, creating an impression of walking on water, which is great for a unique and easy stroll. The 15 km path around Lac de la Bultière is also generally accessible.
What is the best time of year to visit the lakes?
The lakes are enjoyable year-round, but the best time depends on your preferred activities. Summer (June to August) is ideal for swimming and water sports, with lakes like Lac de la Tricherie and Lac du Jaunay being particularly lively. Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures for hiking and cycling, with beautiful foliage changes. Winter can be tranquil for quiet walks, especially around lakes like Moulin Papon.
Are there facilities like picnic areas or restaurants at the lakes?
Yes, several lakes provide convenient facilities. Picnic area at Lake Moulin Papon is a designated spot for breaks. Lac de la Tricherie has a restaurant and other amenities. Lac d'Apremont also features a restaurant and a nautical base. Many lakes, especially the larger ones, have benches and shaded areas for relaxation.
What outdoor activities can I do near these lakes besides hiking?
Beyond hiking, the area around La Roche-sur-Yon offers various outdoor activities. You can find numerous road cycling routes, such as the 'Moulin Papon Lake – Lake Moulin Papon loop from La Roche-sur-Yon', or explore gravel biking trails like the 'Moulin Papon Dam – Moulin Papon Lake loop'. For more details on cycling, refer to our guides on Road Cycling Routes around La Roche-Sur-Yon and Gravel biking around La Roche-Sur-Yon. Many lakes also offer fishing, mountain biking, and various water sports.
Which lakes are known for their natural beauty or tranquility?
For natural beauty and tranquility, Marillet Lake stands out with its unique flora and developed trails. Lac de Moulin Papon offers a smooth transition between urban and rural landscapes, providing a tranquil setting with many benches and beautiful trees. The natural, verdant setting of Lac de la Bultière also makes it a great place to relax and enjoy the scenery.
How long does it take to walk around some of the larger lakes?
Walking times vary depending on the lake and your pace. The perimeter of Lac de Moulin Papon is approximately 19 km, which can take several hours to walk. Lac de la Bultière has a 15 km path encircling it, also requiring a few hours for a full circuit. These longer routes are often enjoyed as half-day or full-day excursions.
Most popular routes around La Roche-Sur-Yon
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