Lac de Lavalette leisure centre

Swimming at Lac de Lavalette: yes, but in the supervised area

Yes, you can swim at Lac de Lavalette, but only in midsummer, in the marked-off area on the beach side, when it is supervised by lifeguards. Everywhere else on the lake, and out of season, swimming is strictly prohibited: it is the reservoir behind the Lavalette dam, on the Lignon, which supplies drinking water to the Saint-Étienne conurbation. The water, monitored by the ARS (the regional health agency), has been rated excellent every season from 2022 to 2025. In summer, cyanobacteria can appear and force swimming to close temporarily. In 2026, the swimming season closed on 30 August, with supervision in the afternoon, from 13:00 to 18:30.

The water sports base: paddleboard, sailing, kayak

This is the real strength of the place. From May to October, the base hires out paddleboards (including a giant one), kayaks, pedalos, catamarans, windsurfing boards, wing foils and electric boats: combustion engines are banned, since this is drinking water. Every day from 10:00 to 18:00 in July and August, weekends and public holidays from 14:00 to 18:00 for the rest of the season. Around it: children's play areas, orienteering courses, a restaurant in summer.

To go round the lake, mountain bike route no. 44 loops for about thirty kilometres with 400 m of elevation gain, between forest tracks and technical sections. On foot, two waymarked walks, the PR 669 and 525, can be reached from the base, with views of the lake.

Our take

This is the big lake of the Velay: wooded shores, calm, room for everybody. The limits: a short swimming window, and summer Sundays when families from Saint-Étienne fill the beach. Come on a weekday, hire a kayak, and the lake is yours.