Our take
A sand beach and free supervised swimming in the heart of town, on the Lac d'Allier. The sea air without leaving Vichy.
A supervised sand beach in the heart of Vichy, on the edge of the Lac d'Allier. Free swimming all summer, guinguette (open-air café) atmosphere.
A real sand beach in the heart of Vichy, on the banks of the Lac d'Allier. 600 m² of fine sand, a paddling pool for the little ones, a swim lane for swimming lengths back to back, and that odd feeling of being at the seaside a stone's throw from the town centre.
Access is free. In 2026, swimming was supervised every day from 11:00 to 19:00, from 1 July to 30 August. One caveat to know about: the Allier water there is rated “sufficient” by the ARS (regional health agency) for 2025, the second-lowest grade. Look at the notice at the lifeguard post before you get in the water. A lifeguard post, changing cabins, showers and a flag system (green, in you go; red, you stay on the sand) frame it all.
Around it, the guinguette, the ice-cream bar and the beach volleyball courts liven things up. You settle on the sand, take a dip, come out for an ice cream.
Why we love it
- 600 m² of fine sand on the edge of the Lac d'Allier
- Something for everyone: a paddling pool for the little ones, a swim lane for lengths
- The guinguette and the ice-cream bar a few steps from your towel
- The beach volleyball courts right next door
Top tip
In season, the water games run from 14:00 to 18:00 (2026 hours): something to keep the children busy between swims. Dogs are not allowed on the beach.
Before you go
- Summer, from July to the end of August, when swimming is supervised.
- The sand beach is not wheelchair accessible. An adapted toilet is on site.
- Supervised swimming: 2026 season ended on 30 August.
- Nothing to pay, either for the beach or for swimming: changing cabins and showers are on site, you just bring a towel.
- The Allier water there is rated “sufficient” by the ARS (regional health agency) for 2025, the second-lowest grade: have a look at the notice at the lifeguard post before you get in the water.
- Dogs are not allowed on the beach.
Weather for the next 3 days
Today
17°/7°
1 mm · 21 km/h
Tomorrow
15°/4°
dry · 10 km/h
Tue 27
22°/7°
0 mm · 10 km/h
Source: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0). General lowland forecasts, to be cross-checked with specialist mountain forecasts at altitude.
Practical info
- Address
- Bd Kennedy, 03200 Vichy, France
03200 Vichy - Monday24 hours
- Tuesday24 hours
- Wednesday24 hours
- Thursday24 hours
- Friday24 hours
- Saturday24 hours
- Today24 hours
Opening hours
What visitors say
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Around Célestins beach
44 spots in and around Vichy, enough to build your day.
Where to eat close by
€€Le P'tit Montmartre
4.8Vichy · a 5-minute walk away
KECK'S Café Nature Shop
4.5Vichy · a 5-minute walk away
€€Cocoon Coffee Vichy
4.7Vichy · a 5-minute walk away
Where to stay nearby
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