Top 20 Lakes in New Aquitaine

Several lakes in New Aquitaine are ideal for families. Lake Sanguinet (also known as Lac de Cazaux-Sanguinet) offers calm, shallow waters perfect for swimming, with supervised beaches at Caton and Pavillon. Lac de Groléjac, near Domme and Sarlat, features a sandy beach, a children's play area, and supervised swimming. Similarly, Lac de Tamniès provides a pristine beach, play area, and shaded picnic spots. Moutchic Beach on Lake Lacanau is also well-equipped with amenities and fine sandy beaches.

For swimming, Lake Sanguinet is highly recommended due to its calm, transparent, and warm shallow waters. Lac du Causse in Corrèze offers supervised swimming from July to August. Other excellent options include Lac de Groléjac and Lac de Tamniès, both with supervised sandy beaches during summer. Hourtin-Carcans Lake also has numerous small, hidden beaches suitable for a refreshing dip.

Yes, Lac de Guizengeard is particularly notable for its ethereal, unreal blue waters, a result of its past as a clay quarry. Its crystal-clear, luminous turquoise hue is quite striking. In the Pyrenees, high-altitude glacial lakes like Lac Roumassot and Lac Bersau offer stunning mountain landscapes.

New Aquitaine's lakes are excellent for water sports. Hourtin-Carcans Lake is a hub for activities like kite surfing, paddleboarding, and water skiing. Lac du Causse is popular for rowing and water-skiing, alongside canoeing. Lake Lacanau, especially around Moutchic Beach, has water sports clubs. Lake Blasimon is suitable for sailing and canoeing, while Lac de Groléjac offers rowing and pedal boats.

Many lakes offer excellent trails. A 7.5-kilometer trail circles Lake du Causse, suitable for walking, hiking, and mountain biking. Lac de Guizengeard has an easy 4-kilometer loop trail, the 'Sentier de découverte de l'argile'. You can also find dedicated trails around Lake Sanguinet for walking, horseback riding, or biking. A scenic path encircles Lac de Tamniès, perfect for exploration. For more extensive hiking, consider the waterfall hikes in New Aquitaine, which often pass near lakes.

While many lakes are popular, some offer a quieter experience. Lac de Guizengeard, with its unique blue waters and ecological trail, feels like a hidden gem. The southern parts of Lake Lacanau, with their points and islands, remain wilder and more natural. Lake Hostens, a domain of five lakes within the Landes forest, provides a serene setting for various activities. The West Lake of Soustons is appreciated for its quiet stretches and beautiful views.

Yes, Lac de Tamniès is equipped with an amphibious wheelchair and a PRM (Persons with Reduced Mobility) fishing pontoon, ensuring greater accessibility for visitors.

The lakes and their surroundings are rich in wildlife. At Lac de Guizengeard, you might spot genets, bee-eaters, dragonflies, and deer. Lake Sanguinet's natural environment is home to diverse flora and fauna. In the high-altitude areas around Lac Roumassot, it's common to see horses and cows grazing in the summer pastures, adding to the authentic landscape.

Yes, several lakes offer convenient amenities. Lake Lacanau, particularly around Moutchic Beach, is well-equipped with restaurants and water sports clubs. Lac de Tamniès has a bar on-site, along with tennis courts and sanitary facilities. Refuge de Pombie and Refuge d'Ayous, located near high-altitude lakes, provide sleeping places and food options for hikers.

Yes, the region offers various cycling opportunities. Dedicated trails wind around Lake Sanguinet. The area around Lake du Causse also has cycle paths and mountain bike trails. For more extensive rides, you can explore the road cycling routes or gravel biking routes in New Aquitaine, many of which pass through scenic lake districts.

The summer months (July and August) are ideal for visiting the lakes, especially for swimming and water sports, as the water temperatures can reach up to 28°C in lakes like Sanguinet. Many lakes also offer supervised swimming during this period. Spring and autumn provide pleasant conditions for hiking and exploring the natural surroundings without the peak summer crowds.

Yes, Lake Sanguinet has a rich history, with a museum where visitors can learn about its 4000-year past, including submerged Gallo-Roman and medieval villages. Lac de Guizengeard also has an interesting industrial history as a former clay quarry, which is explored on its discovery trail.