Motorhome service area located just 30 meters from the campsite entrance. Enjoy a convenient space with restrooms, fresh water, cassette toilet emptying, and grey water disposal. Book directly on site for a simple and comfortable stopover.
Description
This private body of water, managed by the municipality of Saint-Martial, has specific fishing regulations. You can practice float fishing. This technique is suitable for both beginners and experienced anglers.
It consists of letting a cork float under which there is an arrow (bait attached to the hook) which thus remains between two waters. You can fish for various species such as pike, rainbow trout and white fish.
Fishing is open from May 1 to September 30:
• Wednesdays,
• Weekends and public holidays,
• From 06:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
As Lake Saint Martial is closed water, only the seasonal or daily municipal fishing card is obligatory. The card must be taken on site.
For more information, visit http://www.st-martial.com
Between the Eysse and Escoutay valleys, the site of Saint Martial appears clearly below the eastern edge of the plateau, 5km east-northeast of Mont Gerbier de Jonc. With an area of 13 ha, the lake of Saint Martial occupies a depression dominated in the North East by the phonolitic volcano of Lestrat. Its outlet faces south towards the Escoutay valley, which the overflow waters reach via the short, steep-sided valley of Moulinou, a former water mill currently located below the dam. The village of Saint Martial which is reflected in the waters of the lake forms a growing balcony perched on the western flank of the depression.
The history of the lake is told by Paul Camus (1927).
According to the documents, it was probably between 1688 and 1738 that a natural outlet opened towards the Moulinou, which caused the lake to drain. Its site was then occupied by a marsh on which the culture gained little by little. In 1974 the construction of a dam above the Moulinou, led to the creation of the current artificial lake intended to diversify the tourist potential of the village.
Like the maar of Borée, the maar of Saint Martial is an explosion crater corresponding to volcanic activity of the phreatomagmatic type linked to the water-magma encounter. It is also recent, a few hundred thousand years at most (Vivarais volcanism).
The activity began with an effusive phase (lava outpourings without explosion) during which a basaltic flow was emitted towards the Escoutay valley. The dam caused by this flow blocked the watercourse and created a reservoir which must be at the origin of the transition to phreatomagmatic activity. The explosion crater is probably located at the location of the more or less circular depression currently occupied by Lake Saint-Martial.
The troglodyte caves of Cros Laplanche occupied until 1945 were dug by man in lahars (muddy flow) here very thick, the material offers the double advantage of being both soft and stable. There are also lahars downstream of the Escoutay valley as far as La Chazotte.
Products of the explosions: small quarries on the back of the southern slope of the crater, on the edge of the D215 (towards St Andéol de Fourchades, superposition of layers).
Opening
From 01/05 to 30/09/2026 on Wednesdays, public holidays and weekends from 6pm to 12pm.
Exceptional closures on Ascension Thursday, Whit Monday, May 1, May 8, July 14 and August 15.
We also offer:
More
Sixteen 35 m² chalets, facing south and overlooking the lake, located in the hamlet of Rouviller, each accommodating 4 to 5 people. Each chalet includes a fully equipped kitchen, a living room with TV, a bathroom and toilet, a bedroom with a double bed, and a mezzanine with three single beds. There is also a terrace.
A maar-type volcano, the artificial lake is partly nestled in a vast explosion crater whose edges can be seen. It is possible to walk around it (1,5 km). Fishing lake. Water sports centre and supervised swimming in July and August.
Discover Maison Casino, a charming renovated stone building in the heart of the village. Spread over three levels, it offers four 22m² studios for two people. Enjoy an idyllic setting with Lake Saint-Martial and its activities.
Prices
| As this is an enclosed body of water, only a seasonal or daily municipal fishing permit is required. Permits can be purchased on site (€5/half-day - €60/year). |
Localisation