Situated about 25 kilometres to the north of Limoges, the Lake of Saint-Pardoux is one of the most visited destinations in the Haute-Vienne department of Limousin.
The lake is substantial in size, with a surface area covering more than 300 hectares (750 acres), and offers a wide range of facilities and activities to summer visitors.
Start your visit at the Site de Santrop, at the main entrance to the lake. Here you can find a good choice of outdoor activities, from quiet walks around the edges of the lake to boating on the water, and from beaches around the edges of the lake to acrobatic tree adventure parks (accrobranche in French).
Among the most popular with families are the various activities on the beaches, while active teenagers will enjoy absailing across the waters of the lake.
Fitness enthusiasts will want to try the 'Parcours de Santé', a marked series of 4 routes between 700 metres and 1.3 kilometres long that include various balancing exercises, climbing walls and other challenges - a perfect way to help you children use of some of their surplus energy (at the Site de Santrop).
The second main centre at the Lac de Pardoux is the Site de Chabannes, where you will find all the major water based and boating activities, as well as a mountain bike course, climbing wall and tennis courts.
If you are staying here a few days, most of the accommodation is at the Site de Fréaudour, where a small village of gites has been developed.
Various other accommodation options such as camping and chalets are also available at the lake, along with bars and restaurants and a useful information centre.
Rather than I try and describe all the reasons you will enjoy a visit to Saint-Pardoux lake it is probably easier if you watch the promotional video...:
Other information
Note that the Lac de Saint-Pardoux is only a few kilometres from the A20/E9 autoroute that heads from Paris to the Dordogne and south-west France. The lake is perfectly placed for a break from the journey south and a chance to take a rest.
You can find more travel ideas in the Haute-Vienne guide and the Limousin guide.
Photos of Lac de Saint-Pardoux
Click any picture to start the gallery
Arrange a visit to Lac de Saint-Pardoux
Hotels in Lac de Saint-Pardoux
Booking.com: best prices
For great prices on car hire throughout France and Corsica please visit our recommended partner at RentalCars.com
Map of Lac de Saint-Pardoux and places nearby
Visit near Lac de Saint-Pardoux with France This Way reviews
Bellac
The small market town of Bellac has some medieval houses of interest, and a picturesque bridge across the river
Bellac guide
Le-Dorat
In the small town of Le Dorat you will enjoy exploring the old town and visiting the Collegiale Church of Saint-Pierre
Le-Dorat guide
Oradour-sur-Glane
The village of Oradour-sur-Glane is a memorial town, now maintained in the condition it was left in by the retreating Nazis in 1944. Very moving experience.
Oradour-sur-Glane guide
Limoges
Limoges is not usually featured on a list of 'must be visited places' but actually has an interesting centre, well worth exploring.
Limoges guide
Montrol-Senard
Montrol-Senard is a traditional Limousin village which has been turned into an ecomuseum.
Montrol-Senard guide
Mortemart
Now listed among the 'most beautiful villages in France', Mortemart is a very pleasant village to pass an hour or two exploring
Mortemart guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Haute-Vienne
The French version of this page is at Lac de Saint-Pardoux (Francais)