Lake Issarlès: welcome to paradise!
Swimming in Lake Issarlès: deliciously pure water
If you are looking for a natural site to cool off in complete peace of mind, you are in the right place: young and old can enjoy the clear waters of Lake Issarlès and the idyllic setting of the place!
The body of water offers a pleasant swimming temperature. The equipped beach allows you to take a well-deserved rest between two hikes, while the youngest enjoy the joys of the sand (the bathing is monitored throughout the summer season).
Note that in high season, it is best to come to the lake early in the morning or early evening. You thus avoid busy periods and give yourself the opportunity to discover this exceptional place in a different way…. in complete zenitude!
Witness to the ancient volcanic activity of the Montagne d'Ardèche, Lake Issarlès is what we call a "maar crater". It is a basin created by a volcanic explosion and which has filled with water. The result: a 17-hectare body of water, ideal for enjoying the joys of swimming, fishing or water activities!
Leisure center: rent a canoe, paddle or pedal boat
Lake Issarlès also offers opportunities for fun family activities! The nautical base offers you the rental of boats, stand-up paddles, pedal boats and canoes, for unforgettable moments under an azure sky.
Renting nautical equipment gives you the unique opportunity to discover the lake and its surroundings from a different perspective. Suitable for adults and children who know how to swim, these activities are safe thanks to the life jackets provided and summer supervision.
Fishing at Lake Issarlès
The lake is classified as a “first category body of water” by the Ardèche Fishing Federation. You can practice your favorite leisure activity from the banks or aboard a motor boat (electric only).
In the pure waters of the lake, of course, you will find trout (rainbow and brown), but also fountain salmon, gudgeon, minnow, arctic char, cristivomer and whitefish. Please note, the number and size of catches are regulated and you must hold the department's fishing license. Also note that maggot, live bait and dead bait fishing are not permitted.
The site is appreciated by fishermen as much for the quality of its water and the varieties of fish present as for its grandiose environment. Located at an altitude of 1 m, the lake offers a beautiful panorama and its landscaped surroundings allow you to picnic in the shade or even take a nap at the foot of the pines.
Walks and hikes around Lake Issarlès
The places offer two different routes, depending on your level and preferences. The first circuit allows you to go around the lake in one hour and 3,5 km. The shaded, flat and easy path is ideal for walking with the family. By taking this walk in the morning, you enjoy the calm of the place and can even surprise the squirrels who live here! Depending on the season, wild strawberries, mushrooms, blackberries and raspberries await gourmets around the corner. The surroundings of the lake also host a wooden fitness trail, perfectly integrated into the surrounding forest.
For lovers of grandiose landscapes and mountain hikes, the site offers an ideal route: that of the Suc de Cherchemuse. This ancient volcano dominating the crystal clear waters of the lake is home to a 10 km trail, which you can cover in 4 hours. This fairly easy loop, however, has a difference in altitude of around 460 m, on the way up and then on the way down. From the summit, a beautiful view of the lake and the surrounding juices rewards you for your efforts!
Mountain bike enthusiasts will also find what they are looking for around the lake and the village of Issarlès, on routes that take them to the famous “sucs” and basalt flows of the Montagne d'Ardèche.
All our hiking and mountain biking tours: https://www.montagnedardeche.com/randonnees/
Some practical information to organize your stay at Lake Issarlès
To enhance your stay, the village has all the amenities nearby. There you will find a bakery, a grocery store, a butcher's shop, a multi-service store, a post office and a garage.
If it is of natural origin, the body of water is also part of the Montpezat hydroelectric complex where the power plant produces approximately 280 GWH of production, the equivalent of the annual electricity consumption of 40% of the Ardèche department. .
For your next vacation in the Montagne d'Ardèche, book your accommodation in one of the many campings, furniture ou guest rooms, located near the lake or in other fabulous sites in the region and find the activities here: https://www.montagnedardeche.com/activites/