Lac Chambon: swimming, beaches, paddle, pedalos, lake walk

Two free beaches with lifeguards in summer, shallow water that warms up fast, paddleboarding facing the Sancy. Auvergne's big family swimming lake.

Swimming at Lac Chambon

Swimming is allowed at Lac Chambon, on two free, equipped beaches: the Plage du Chambon (village side) and the Plage de Murol (east shore). Both have lifeguards every day in July and August, from 11:00 to 18:00 (until 19:00 on Sundays and public holidays). The water is monitored by the ARS (the regional health agency): rated excellent from 2022 to 2025, and in summer 2026 the samples were good on the Chambon side, with a single average result on the Murol side, on 4 August. Both beaches hold the Blue Flag label in 2026. One caveat, and it matters: like several lakes in Auvergne, the lake has already closed temporarily because of cyanobacteria, in July 2025. When that happens, the ban is posted on site and at the town hall. When there are no lifeguards on duty, you swim at your own risk.

The lake is shallow, 6 m at most. The result: the water warms up fast despite the 875 m altitude, and you can get in without gritting your teeth. Showers, toilets, a first-aid post and children's play equipment on the Murol side. Dogs are not allowed on the beaches.

Paddleboarding, pedalos and activities

Sancy Loisirs rents out paddleboards, giant paddleboards, pedalos, canoes and kayaks on the beach on the Chambon side. In 2027, the base is open from 3 April to 20 September, weather permitting: from 10:00 to 18:00 every day from 12 June to 31 August, in the afternoon (14:00 to 18:00) for the rest of the season, with opening from 10:00 at weekends from 3 May. Paddleboarding is from age 6 (you must be able to swim, life jacket provided), and pedalos take even babies on board. Paddling with the Sancy ridges and the Château de Murol in your sights is worth the outing. Fishing is allowed on the lake, which is classed as a second-category water (French fishing classification): pikeperch, pike, brown trout or small fish.

Walking around the lake

Allow 3.5 km on foot along the wooden boardwalks laid over the wetland, about 1 hour, almost flat. The boardwalks are for pedestrians only: with a pushchair or by bike, take the 4.5 km greenway, which runs alongside the lake to Murol. Along the way, you skirt this 60-hectare lake, born from a lava flow from the Tartaret volcano that dammed the valley of the Couze Chambon. 5 minutes away by car (D637, towards the Vallée de Chaudefour), the Cascade de la Voissière can be seen from the road, just after the hamlet: free access, but the path down to its foot is narrow and overgrown.

Our take

In August, come before 10:30 or after 17:00, or better still, in June or September: you'll have the boardwalks to yourself. This is the family lake par excellence, not the wild spot: for peace and quiet, aim for the Pavin instead. For a day of swimming, paddleboarding and a castle, it's hard to find better in Auvergne.

A bit of history

About 8,000 years ago, the Tartaret volcano spat its lava into the valley and blocked the bed of the Couze Chambon. That's how this 60-hectare lake was born, sitting at 875 metres and held back by the solidified lava flow. And that origin explains the rest, starting with what brings families here every summer: the lake is no more than 6 metres deep, so its water warms up quickly. Two sandy beaches share the shores, the Plage du Chambon on the Chambon-sur-Lac side and the Plage de Murol to the east. Lifeguards in July and August, water rated “excellent” by the ARS (the regional health agency) from 2022 to 2025, Blue Flag in 2026. With children, you put your towel down, let the little ones splash about in the shallow area, and look up at the volcanoes. Above the north shore, a 100-metre rock pinnacle watches over the lake: the Saut de la Pucelle, with its legend of a shepherdess. Opposite, the Château de Murol dominates the whole landscape from its basalt promontory: that's the local postcard view. You don't have to swim to enjoy the lake. The walk around it is 3.5 kilometres, completely flat, with a stretch on stilts across the wetlands. Allow an hour at a relaxed pace. The boardwalks are for pedestrians only: with a pushchair or by bike, take the 4.5 km greenway, which runs alongside the lake to Murol. To get out on the water, the water sports base rents paddleboards and pedalos in season. And all around, enough to fill a whole weekend: the Cascade de la Voissière, visible from the road, the Vallée de Chaudefour for a proper hike, the village of Murol for a meal.

Good to know

Lifeguarded swimming: the 2026 season ended on 30 August.
Arrive early in the morning in July and August, the car parks fill up fast around midday
The boardwalks on the lake loop are for pedestrians only; with a pushchair or by bike, take the 4.5 km greenway to Murol
Out of season, come anyway for the walk: the quiet changes everything

Practical information

Best time to go: Early in the morning in July and August for a quiet beach, or late in the day for the light on the Sancy.
Prices: Access to the lake and swimming are free. Paid parking in high season, paddleboard and pedalo hire extra.
Getting there: Allow 45 minutes by road from Clermont-Ferrand: A75 exit 6 (Besse/Champeix), then head towards Saint-Nectaire and Murol. The lake stretches between Murol and Chambon-sur-Lac. The boardwalks on the lake loop are for pedestrians only; with a pushchair or by bike, take the 4.5 km greenway.
Parking: On the Chambon side, in 2026, car park P1 (next to the tourist office) and the spaces along the lake are paid from 1 May to 30 September, from 10:00 to 18:00 (30 min free, then €0.90/h); car parks P2 and P3 are free. On the Murol side, parking is free. Full between 12:00 and 16:00 in July and August: arrive early.
With children: Sandy beach, lifeguarded swimming in July and August, shallow water that warms up quickly. Paddling pool open to all in July and August on the Chambon side, play areas on both beaches.
With a dog: Not allowed on the beaches. Allowed on a lead on the path around the lake.