Top 5 Lakes around Saint-Agrève

For families, Lake Devesset is an excellent choice, offering a sandy beach, supervised swimming, water games, playgrounds, mini-golf, and extensive picnic spots. The Retourtour swimming area also provides a small pebble and sand beach suitable for refreshing dips, and Lac de Saint-Martial features a children's play area and various sports courts.

You have several options for swimming and water sports. Lake Devesset is a prime spot for supervised swimming, windsurfing, catamaran sailing, kayaking, and paddle boating. Lac Aux Ramiers offers supervised swimming and a notable Savage WakePark for wakeboarding and other towed activities. Lac de Saint-Martial also provides a supervised swimming area with a pontoon and diving board, plus rentals for paddles, pedal boats, canoes, and windsurfing.

Yes, many lakes offer scenic walking and hiking trails. A path encircles Lake Devesset, and the surrounding area has numerous hiking and mountain biking trails. Lac de Saint-Martial features a 1.5 km shaded walking path and is a gateway to hiking in the Montagne d'Ardèche, including routes to Mont Gerbier de Jonc and Mont Mézenc. You can find more hiking options in the region by visiting the Hiking around Saint-Agrève guide.

The lakes around Saint-Agrève offer diverse natural beauty. Lake Devesset is set amidst lush greenery and fir trees, classified as a Natural Area of Ecological, Faunistic and Floristic Interest. Lac de Saint-Martial is particularly striking, nestled at the base of volcanic landscapes like Mont Gerbier de Jonc and Mont Mézenc, within a geological 'maar' (explosion crater).

Fishing is a popular activity at several lakes. Lac des Collanges permits fishing (category 2), though swimming is prohibited. Lac de Devesset and Lac Aux Ramiers are also recognized fishing spots. Lac de Saint-Martial allows floating line fishing from May to September.

Yes, the area around Saint-Agrève offers various cycling routes that can take you near the lakes. For mountain biking, there's a 'Saint-Agrève Village – Lake Devesset loop' and an 'easy Lake Devesset loop'. Road cycling routes are also available. Explore more options in the MTB Trails around Saint-Agrève and Road Cycling Routes around Saint-Agrève guides.

Lac Aux Ramiers is well-equipped with a beach for supervised swimming, the Savage WakePark for wakeboarding, paddleboard rentals, a seasonal bar-restaurant, public restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and a children's play area. It also features a health trail for leisurely strolls.

Lac de Saint-Martial is unique for its stunning volcanic backdrop, being situated within a 'maar' (an ancient explosion crater) and offering views of Mont Gerbier de Jonc and Mont Mézenc. It combines water activities with rich geological and hiking experiences in the heart of the Ardèche mountains.

Yes, swimming is prohibited at Lac des Collanges, which primarily serves as a water control dam. However, fishing is permitted there.

Many lakes provide amenities for dining and picnicking. Lake Devesset has extensive shaded picnic spots and a snack bar with lake views. Lac Aux Ramiers features a seasonal bar-restaurant and picnic tables. Lac de Saint-Martial offers picnic and barbecue facilities, and the adjacent village of Saint-Martial has local shops and eateries.

The summer months, particularly July and August, are ideal for visiting the lakes if you plan to swim or engage in water sports, as many offer supervised swimming during this period. The pleasant weather also makes it perfect for hiking and enjoying the outdoor facilities.