Lake Saint-Ferréol, an unmissable destination in the heart of the Montagne Noire in the Tarn

Sorèze
Rest and relaxation

Want to go for a walk? Go for a swim? Relax, or simply have a good time with family or friends ? Head straight to Lac de Saint-Ferréol in Sorèze, a French dam nestled in a valley on the Laudot river. Accessible all year round, it's the ideal destination for a breath of fresh air in the Tarn!

Lake Saint-Ferréol, a historic reservoir to discover in Sorèze

Open your eyes wide to admire this magnificent expanse of water with a surface area of 67 hectares, 1,600m long with more than 6 million m3 of water. Located in the heart of the Montagne Noire, this green setting is the work of the lord of Bonrepos Pierre-Paul Riquet who built the ^first artificial water reservoir in France between 1667 and 1672. Over time, it doubled in volume with the intervention of Vauban and was equipped with 2 additional valves in the middle of the ^19th century. Unsurprisingly, the Lac de Saint-Ferréol is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, attracting the curious and nature lovers who discover the waterfalls, the English-style park, the dike wall and the famous sheaf of Saint-Ferréol.

Lake Saint-Ferréol, a bucolic setting for a beautiful family day out in the Tarn

What a pleasure to find yourself in this privileged setting, between the scents of pine trees, the fine sandy beaches and the wooded areas equipped with picnic tables. Less than 10 minutes from the center of Sorèze, the Lac de Saint-Ferréol invites you to relax and unwind, a pleasant place to enjoy a good time with family or friends. After lunch in the shade of the trees, take a lovely one-hour walk around the lake. The 4.5 km of trails are designed to accommodate strollers, roller skates and bicycles for the enjoyment of young and old alike. And if the desire for a snack arises, restaurants located on the banks are happy to welcome you at any time of the day.

The Tarn-Aveyron Guide’s top tip: a change of scenery with a night in a guest room at Château de Verdalle, just 20 minutes from Lake Saint-Ferréol. Stunning with its river stones that reflect the natural light, it stands in the heart of one of the Tarn’s most beautiful floral parks, Les Jardins de l’Ange. The four rooms, with their soothing atmosphere, preserve the house’s almost thousand-year-old soul, offering you a rejuvenating escape all year round. The little extra? Enjoying breakfast in the tranquillity of nature before the gardens open.

30 minutes away is Castres, a pretty town for a stroll in the Tarn

Lake Saint-Ferréol, an electric bike adventure with Station Bee’s Sorèze

Enjoy an unforgettable day with advice from a passionate team! Located in the heart of the charming village of Sorèze between the Montagne Noire and the Lauragais plain, Station Bee’s Sorèze is the go-to place for cycling enthusiasts.

Station Bee’s Sorèze, high-quality electric bikes for touring the lake

What a pleasure it is to cycle along the Tarn’s well-maintained and signposted trails. Lake Saint-Ferréol is no exception, with cycle paths accessible by electric road bikes or mountain bikes. Head to Station Bee's Sorèze to rent a high-quality bike and enjoy a pleasant family ride past the copper museum, the Château de Dufort, and the Canal du Midi discovery center. You can even plan a picnic by the water before returning to Sorèze via the outskirts of Revel.

Bee's Sorèze Station, a unique experience in the heart of the Montagne Noire

While Lake Saint-Ferréol is a popular destination for its bucolic setting and supervised swimming area in summer, it is not the only route offered by the electric bike rental station in Sorèze, which invites you to discover the region's vast forests or the pretty medieval village of Sorèze with its two museums, artists' studios, and gourmet addresses where you can sample the local cuisine.

Station Bee's Sorèze

An idyllic destination for a camping holiday in the Tarn

Extend your getaway to Lake Saint-Ferréol at a wonderful campsite nestled in the heart of nature! Open from April to September, the 3-star Flower Camping Saint-Martin, located less than 10 minutes from the lake, is a privileged site for a getaway with family, friends, or your significant other.

Offers to suit all tastes for staying near Lake Saint-Ferréol

You'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to enjoying your dream vacation. Whether you're a backpacker, a lover of comfort, an adventurer, or a fan of nature getaways, the 3-star Flower Camping Saint-Martin offers:

Spacious pitches
Comfortable chalets
Mobile homes
Caravans
Lodge tents

All less than 10 minutes from Lake Saint-Ferréol!

Services and activities for the whole family

While it is possible to swim in the lake in summer, it is also pleasant to take a dip in the 25°C heated pool at Flower Camping Saint-Martin 3* during the warmer months, before lounging in the sun on the deckchairs. In high season, you can also take part in workshops, pétanque or ping-pong tournaments, stretching sessions, and more, while the children enjoy a wide range of activities. After all that effort, treat yourself to a gourmet break at the snack bar or visit the grocery store to find local products and order breakfast.

Bonus features:

Themed evenings
A bicycle-friendly label
Play areas for children and adults
A library open to all

Camping Saint-Martin 3*

Lake Saint-Ferréol, the perfect place for water activities in the Tarn

Is the summer season here? Put on your swimsuit or a wetsuit for those who are more sensitive to the cold and head to Lake Saint-Ferréol for a refreshing day of splashing around! Swimming is permitted and even supervised from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. in summer (from July ¹ to August 31), with a lovely beach for sunbathing after a few strokes in a pool with a maximum depth of 32 meters. The more athletic can also head to the "La Calyspo" water sports center in Sorèze, which offers canoe, paddleboard, pedal boat, windsurfing, and catamaran rentals.

Find out what to do in the Tarn in summer!

Lake Saint-Ferréol, land activities accessible to all in the Tarn

Water is not the only attraction of this landscaped pool which offers many possibilities to have fun without getting soaked, such as walks or bike rides on the 4.5 km of trails but also:

Fishing for zander, perch or carp in this beautiful lowland lake,
Tennis,
Horse riding,
Caving with Lo des Cavernes in Sorèze…

As well as land activities once again offered by La Calypso, a nautical and leisure center, including orienteering, Escal'Arbre, trampolines, roller skis and even sports tournaments.

Lake Saint-Ferréol, some practical information to know

This French reservoir is located in the Tarn, but also extends into Haute-Garonne and Aude, surrounded by 4 communes which are Sorèze, Vaudreuille, Revel and Les Brunels. You therefore have several accesses available to reach the Lac de Saint-Ferréol with parking nearby, but also a bus stop just 10 minutes walk from the lake. Escape to the Tarn and discover the possible excursions in Sorèze around the Lac de Saint-Ferréol with: