Our take
A 54-hectare regional nature reserve around a lake with traces going back to the 14th century, created by the barons of Allègre: otters, rare amphibious plants and a full walk round in 1 hour 30.
A 22-hectare lake at 1,025 m altitude, designated a regional nature reserve. A walk round the lake in 1 hour 30 among otters, dragonflies and migrating birds.
A 22-hectare lake sitting at an altitude of 1,025 metres, on the borders of the Livradois and the Velay. Water, forest, meadows, and not much else: the site has been designated a regional nature reserve since 2014, and you can tell.
You walk round it on a 3.5 km discovery trail; allow 1 hour 30 from the beach. Along the way, keep your eyes open: the European otter lives here, dragonflies are at home in summer and migrating birds stop off through the seasons.
The trail crosses private plots, so stay on the marked route, with your dog on a lead. Swimming is not allowed: here, you come to watch, not to dive in.
Why we love it
- 22 hectares of water sitting at 1,025 metres, between forest and meadows
- The European otter, which lives here and frequents the banks
- The osprey and the black tern stopping off during the migrations
Top tip
Bring binoculars: ospreys and black terns stop off during the migrations, and the otter frequents the banks. Early in the morning, with patience and a bit of luck, it's otter time.
Before you go
- Spring, for the migrating birds and the poet's narcissi in flower.
- Dogs allowed on a lead on the trail.
- The walk round the lake is a 3.5 km discovery trail from the beach: allow 1 hour 30.
- Swimming is not allowed: here you come to watch, not to get in the water.
- Come early in the morning with binoculars: that's when the otter sometimes lets itself be seen.
Weather for the next 3 days
Today
11°/3°
0 mm · 24 km/h
Tomorrow
14°/1°
dry · 9 km/h
Tue 27
19°/7°
dry · 12 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
- 43270 Monlet, France
43270 Monlet
What visitors say
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Around Lac de Malaguet
Enough to build your day around this address.
Where to eat close by
A place to see, a night to spend?
Hotels, gîtes and B&Bs within 20 km of Monlet. Availability and online booking.
Hikes nearby
Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.
Cycling
Cycling9 - Château de Chavaniac-Lafayette and Senouire
Start: Place de l'église à Saint-Georges-d'Aurac
- 47.2 km
- +879 m
- 2 h 30 min
Hikes around Lac de Malaguet
CyclingCycling9 - Château de Chavaniac-Lafayette and Senouire
Start: Place de l'église à Saint-Georges-d'Aurac
- 47.2 km
- +879 m
- 2 h 30 min
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