An almost perfectly round crater at 1,205 m altitude, straddling Cayres and Le Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas. Lifeguarded swimming in July and August, a 3 km walk around the lake, easy with the family.
A volcanic maar (a crater left by a volcanic explosion) formed about 300,000 years ago, now an almost perfectly round lake: 44 hectares, 28 m deep, at 1,205 m altitude, straddling the communes of Cayres and Le Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas, in the Haute-Loire. You can swim here: swimming is allowed and lifeguarded in July and August, from a small beach with facilities.
A maintained path goes all the way around the lake in about 3 km, easy, fine for the whole family. People fish here for trout, perch and roach, in two seasons: general fishing from 1 January to 31 August, sport fishing from 1 September to 31 December. Free open access, parking close to the lake.
If you want to stay nearby, there's no camping by the water: the lake is a protected listed site, so you can't camp there. The good option: the Le Bouchet municipal campsite, a shaded natural camping area (aire naturelle de camping) in the village of Le Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas, about 3 km from the lake, open in 2026 from 1 March to 31 October. At over 1,200 m altitude, bring a good sleeping bag, even in summer.
What you will find
- An almost perfectly circular crater lake
- A walk of about 3 km around the lake, easy with the family
- Lifeguarded swimming in summer
Local tip
For lunch, the Chalet du Lac and its terrace facing the water are open in 2026 from 1 April to 15 November (closed on Tuesdays, except from 15 July to 20 August).
Good to know
- Lifeguarded swimming in July and August: the 2026 season is over.
Practical information
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
