Puech des Ouilhes beach: supervised summer swimming (Cantal)

Our take

Sand, a floating pool on the lake, pedalos and a walkway on stilts that lights up in the evening: the Aurillac area spends its summer afternoons here.

The editors · Teddy L.updated on 25 October 2026How we choose our places

With children: yes
Wheelchair accessible
For a fine day

The guide that goes with itBaignade sauvage en Auvergne

A peninsula on 570 hectares of lake, among the hills of the Châtaigneraie: the beach where the Aurillac area spends its summer days.

On a peninsula of the Lac de Saint-Étienne-Cantalès, the Puech des Ouilhes beach is the family spot of the Aurillac area: sand, lawn and supervised swimming with lifeguards in July and August, in the afternoon (from 6 July to 30 August in 2026, 14:00 to 18:45). Outside the supervised areas and hours, swimming is not allowed. Around a jetty, floating structures hold a supervised pool, a paddling pool (under the parents' responsibility) and a terrace on the water. In season, the water sports club hires out pedalos, canoes, paddleboards, catamarans and windsurf boards; a play area, toilets and showers round things off, and the snack bar Le Nautilus serves ice creams and meals. A walkway on stilts, about 2 km long, goes round the peninsula and lights up at nightfall. The lake, a 570-hectare reservoir created by the 1945 dam, stretches for more than 13 km. A site with the Tourisme et Handicap label for swimming and walking, with a campsite right next door.

Why we love it

The floating pool and paddling pool, filled with water from the lake
The peninsula, its coves and its sandy beach
Pedalos for exploring the edges of the lake as a family
The walkway on stilts that lights up at nightfall

Top tip

Supervision is limited to July and August, in the afternoon (14:00 to 18:45 in 2026), and swimming is not allowed outside those times. Stay on until nightfall: the walkway on stilts lights up as soon as the day ends, until 23:30. In 2026, a producers' market set up on the beach on Thursday evenings in July and August, from 18:00 to 22:00.

Before you go

Supervised swimming from 6 July to 30 August in 2026, 14:00 to 18:45
The snack bar Le Nautilus serves ice creams, drinks and full meals; picnic tables are there for those who bring their own
In summer, a Stabus shuttle links Aurillac to Puech des Ouilhes, with three return trips a day (4 July to 31 August in 2026)