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The lakes around Clermont-Ferrand: Aydat, Pavin, Chambon and more

Published 31 October 2026

The closest lake to Clermont-Ferrand is the lac d'Aydat, about twenty kilometres south-west: it is also the largest natural lake in Auvergne, with a lifeguarded beach in summer. Further away, in the Sancy massif, the lac Chambon is good for swimming, while the lac Pavin, where swimming is forbidden, is best discovered on foot. Here is how to choose depending on what you are looking for.

Lac d'Aydat, the closest

At around 65 hectares, Aydat is the largest natural lake in Auvergne. It is a volcanic dam lake, surrounded by the ancient lava flows of the puy de la Vache and the puy de Lassolas. It holds the Blue Flag (Pavillon Bleu) label.

• Swimming: the beach, at Sauteyras, is lifeguarded in July and August, every afternoon from 1.30 pm to 6.30 pm. Outside these hours, swimming is not supervised and is prohibited by prefectoral order.
• Activities: sailing school (catamaran, dinghy, paddleboard), play area, shaded picnic spots, volleyball court.
• Walks: paths run along the lake, and the nearby lava flows invite you to carry on towards the puys.

On summer weekends, arrive early: the beach and car parks fill up quickly. Find practical information on the official beach information sheet.

Lac Chambon, for swimming at the foot of the Sancy

The lac Chambon, shared between Murol and Chambon-sur-Lac, was formed by an eruption around 8,000 years ago: lava from a nearby volcano dammed the valley. It covers about sixty hectares, with a maximum depth of around 6 metres, so its water warms up faster than that of crater lakes. It also holds the Blue Flag label.

• Lifeguarded swimming: from 1 July to 30 August, from 11 am to 6 pm, until 7 pm on Sundays and public holidays, on the Murol and Chambon beaches.
• Activities: pedalo and canoe hire, fishing, play area at the Murol beach.
• Walks: a greenway runs around the lake, less than 4.5 km, about an hour on foot.

Opening times are detailed on the Sancy tourist office website. If you pass through the nearby vallée de Chaudefour, our article on the vallée de Chaudefour gives you ideas for walks and places to have lunch.

Lac Pavin, to admire but not to swim in

Between Besse and Super-Besse, the lac Pavin is an almost perfectly round crater lake, about 800 metres across. It is 92 metres deep and formed around 6,900 years ago: it is the youngest crater lake in mainland France.

Swimming there is strictly forbidden and dangerous. The Pavin is best discovered on foot: a path of about 2.7 km runs around the lake through a beech forest. To swim in the area, the tourist office recommends the lac des Hermines, in Super-Besse.

Other lakes worth knowing

• Lac de Guéry: at around 1,250 metres above sea level, on the road to Le Mont-Dore, it is one of the highest lakes in Auvergne. About 25 hectares, swimming not allowed, but lovely reflections and walks on the plateau.
• Gour de Tazenat: north-west of Riom, a crater lake surrounded by forest. We have devoted an article to it: a walk around the gour de Tazenat.
• The small lakes of the Sancy: Chauvet, Montcineyre, Bourdouze or l'Esclauze, wilder, for walking away from the crowds.

Distances and practical tips

• Driving time: allow about half an hour for Aydat. Chambon and Pavin are in the Sancy massif: allow three quarters of an hour to an hour from Clermont, depending on where you start.
• Outside summer: no beach is lifeguarded, the water stays cold and mountain roads can be snowy in winter. The lakes are still beautiful for walking.
• On site: stay on the paths, take your rubbish home and respect the marked swimming areas.

Where to stay to enjoy the lakes

South of Clermont, our houses in Saint-Sandoux, Le Bareyre and La Tour Bareyre, each sleep 6 people and have a terrace and garden. They are well placed for Aydat and the Sancy massif. Other houses, such as L'Orge in Vic-le-Comte, are among our properties around Clermont. To bring family or friends together, see our group stays page. All our properties can be booked from one night, with cleaning and linen included.