Where to swim in the Corrèze: lakes, beaches and rivers worth knowing

Far from the sea, the Corrèze has no shortage of water. Between the Millevaches plateau, the Dordogne gorges and the Brive basin, the département has around thirty controlled bathing sites: reservoirs with sandy beaches, lakes in the middle of the forest and rivers with clear water. Plenty of ways to cool off as a family all summer, often in a well-preserved setting.

Here are the best places to swim in the Corrèze, tips for enjoying them safely and the campsites set on the water’s edge.

Swimming in the Corrèze: the essentials

Lac du Causse, near Brive

Fifteen minutes from Brive-la-Gaillarde, Lac du Causse, at Lissac-sur-Couze, is the main leisure lake in the south of the département. Its sandy beach, supervised in summer, its water sports centre and its paths make it a firm favourite with families. You can go sailing, paddleboarding, canoeing and pedal boating, or walk all the way round the lake.

Bournazel and the Coiroux, around Tulle

North of Tulle, Lac de Bournazel, at Seilhac, is a lake of some thirty hectares surrounded by woodland, with a beach supervised in July and August, in the afternoon. Further south, Lac du Coiroux, near Aubazine, sits in the middle of a large leisure area with a beach, a golf course and paths. Take the opportunity to visit the Cistercian abbey of Aubazine and its canal des moines.

Haute-Corrèze and its large lakes

In the north-east of the département, the reservoirs offer wide expanses of water. Lac de la Triouzoune, at Neuvic, has a beach that holds the Blue Flag and Handiplage labels, supervised in July and August, morning and afternoon. On the same reservoir, the plage du Maury at Liginiac is quieter. Near Meymac, Lac de Séchemailles is valued for its wooded setting and its family beach.

The Millevaches plateau

On the Millevaches plateau, a land of peat bogs and springs, the water is cooler, but the scenery is superb. Lac des Bariousses, at Treignac, has a beach in the middle of the woods, and Lac de Viam, in open countryside, is suited to swimming and walks. Expect colder water than on the lowlands, even in midsummer.

The Dordogne around Argentat

In the south-east of the département, the Dordogne flows through wooded gorges before reaching Argentat-sur-Dordogne and its quays with lauze roofs. The river banks offer pretty swimming spots and the start point for canoe trips to Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne. Warning: the Dordogne is regulated by hydroelectric dams, and its level and current can change quickly. Swim only in authorised areas and obey the signs.

Our tips for swimming safely

• favour supervised beaches, generally in July and August;
• check the water quality results published by the ARS before swimming;
• enter the water gradually: mountain lakes stay cool;
• beware of changes in level downstream of the dams;
• never swim alone outside supervised areas.

Where to camp by the water in the Corrèze?

Our selection includes many campsites beside a lake in the Corrèze and on the riverbank. In the Dordogne valley, the Sea Green Le Gibanel campsite, at Saint-Martial-Entraygues, spreads along the Dordogne at the foot of the Gibanel château, with a heated pool and a paddling pool, a few minutes from Argentat. Near Tulle, the Lac de Bournazel campsite, at Seilhac, borders the lake, and in the Haute-Corrèze, the Le Port de Neuvic campsite sits on the shore of the Triouzoune lake.

Our verdict

The Corrèze is a delightful surprise for swimming: plenty of lakes, often well equipped and less busy than the coastal beaches, set in woods and hills. For families, the supervised beaches of Lac du Causse, Bournazel or Neuvic are ideal. For charm, the Dordogne valley around Argentat is unmissable.