Top 4 Lakes around Saint-Martin-Du-Puy
Best lakes around Saint-Martin-Du-Puy are situated within the Morvan Regional Natural Park, an area characterized by its natural landscapes and numerous lakes. This region offers a variety of aquatic environments, from large reservoirs to smaller, secluded ponds. The lakes serve multiple purposes, including water regulation, electricity generation, and providing habitats for wildlife. Visitors can find opportunities for hiking, fishing, and water sports across these diverse lake settings.
Best lakes around Saint-Martin-Du-Puy
- The most popular lakes is Chaumeçon Dam, a…
Last updated: May 19, 2026
Crescent Dam
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Étang Chaumail
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Chaumeçon Dam
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Étang du Moulin du Bois
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The Shores of the Lake
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Not for regular bikes, only for mountain bikers. Bring wellington boots.
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very impressive lake and beautiful scenery.
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The Crescent Dam was built between 1929 and 1932. A gravity dam, it is 330 meters long and 37 meters high. Its width at the base is 24 meters and at the crest 3.5 meters. It was built on the initiative of SA Compagnie HydroElectrique de la Cure and was owned by the City of Paris until 1946. The dam was built to regulate the waters of the Yonne and Seine rivers and thus prevent flooding in Paris, while also producing electricity. More than 165 hectares of cultivated land, hamlets, mills, and paths were flooded to allow the creation of the reservoir (maximum depth of 40 meters). It occupies four municipalities and two departments, and is fed by the Cure and Chalaux rivers. The structure was partly financed by war reparations owed by Germany to France after the First World War. This is why much of the dam's mechanisms are German-made. The road across it is narrow and only allows passage for one vehicle. Fortunately, there is very little traffic.
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This beautiful pond is surrounded by hiking trails, a children's playground and an arboretum.
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At the edge of the forest is this pretty little pond with alder groves on its plans.
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When you reach this pond, you will be struck by the fact that it is enclosed in the forest, as if the pond is there just for you, hidden away. The pond is often so calm that its surface is like glass.
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At the edge of the forest is this pretty little pond with alder groves on its plans.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best lakes for a tranquil nature experience near Saint-Martin-Du-Puy?
For a tranquil nature experience, Étang Chaumail is highly recommended. It's enclosed in the forest, offering a calm, reflective surface. Étang du Moulin du Bois also provides a serene setting with alder groves. Lac de Chaumeçon is known for its tranquil beauty, with surrounding forests reflecting in its waters, and is excellent for stargazing due to low light pollution.
What water sports can I do on the lakes around Saint-Martin-Du-Puy?
Many lakes offer water sports. Lac de Chaumeçon is popular for swimming, paddleboarding, and canoeing, and serves as a starting point for whitewater rafting on the Chalaux and Cure rivers. Lac du Crescent is suitable for swimming (though without a supervised beach) and kayaking. Lac de Saint-Agnan is ideal for bathing, sailing, canoeing, and paddleboarding.
Are there good fishing spots in the lakes near Saint-Martin-Du-Puy?
Yes, the lakes are popular for fishing. Lac du Crescent is considered the 'wildest' of the Morvan lakes and is particularly popular with anglers due to its abundance of pike, perch, and pike-perch. Lac de Saint-Agnan also offers significant fishing opportunities, with carp, pike, and zander, and permits night fishing in specific zones.
Where can I go hiking around the lakes?
There are several hiking opportunities. Lac de Chaumeçon features a 17 km hiking trail around the lake from Brassy. Lac du Crescent has an 11 km loop trail starting from Marigny-l'Église and other scenic footpaths. Lac de Saint-Agnan offers beautiful hiking trails, including a discovery trail with two loops, one of which is accessible to strollers and people with reduced mobility. You can find more hiking routes in the area on the Hiking around Saint-Martin-Du-Puy guide.
Are there mountain biking trails near the lakes?
Yes, the region offers mountain biking trails. For example, you can find routes like the 'Nice dirt track – Lake Crescent loop from Chastellux-sur-Cure' or the 'Le champ du Pont – Chaumeçon Dam loop from AN Rafting Morvan'. Explore more options in the MTB Trails around Saint-Martin-Du-Puy guide.
Can I go road cycling around the lakes?
Absolutely. The area provides scenic road cycling routes. Examples include the 'Étang du Goulot – Étang Chaumail loop from Chalaux' and longer routes like the 'Settons Lake (south) – Lac des Settons North loop from AN Rafting Morvan'. More details are available in the Road Cycling Routes around Saint-Martin-Du-Puy guide.
Are there family-friendly lakes around Saint-Martin-Du-Puy?
Yes, several lakes cater to families. Étang Chaumail has a children's playground and an arboretum. Lac du Crescent offers landscaped areas with picnic tables and children's play areas near its dam. Lac de Saint-Agnan has a discovery trail with an accessible loop for strollers, making it suitable for families.
What natural features or viewpoints can I expect to see at the lakes?
The lakes are set within the Morvan Regional Natural Park, offering diverse natural beauty. Lac de Chaumeçon is known for its forest reflections and islands, with stunning views from the Chaumeçon Dam. Lac du Crescent is considered the 'wildest' of the Morvan lakes. Lac de Saint-Agnan is often called 'the little Canada' or noted for its 'Irish air' due to its wild aspect, combining forests and large meadows. The Shores of the Lake also offer breathtaking scenery.
When is the best time to visit the lakes around Saint-Martin-Du-Puy?
The summer months are ideal for water activities like bathing, swimming, and paddleboarding. However, the natural beauty of the lakes, with their surrounding forests, makes them appealing for hiking and enjoying the scenery throughout spring and autumn as well. For stargazing, Lac de Chaumeçon is particularly good at night due to low light pollution.
Are there any historical or man-made structures of interest at the lakes?
Yes, the region features impressive man-made structures related to the lakes. The Chaumeçon Dam, built in the 1930s, offers stunning views of the lake it creates. The Crescent Dam, built between 1929 and 1932, is 330 meters long and 37 meters high, playing a crucial role in regulating rivers and generating electricity. Its mechanisms are partly German-made, financed by war reparations.
What do visitors enjoy most about the lakes near Saint-Martin-Du-Puy?
Visitors appreciate the tranquil beauty and the sense of being immersed in nature. Many highlight the calm, reflective surfaces of ponds like Étang Chaumail, feeling as if the pond is hidden just for them. The breathtaking scenery and rolling landscapes, even in winter, are also frequently mentioned by those exploring the larger lakes.
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Still not found your perfect lake around Saint-Martin-Du-Puy? Check out the guides of these regions to see even more beautiful places.
