A bucolic getaway to Lake Montbel: one of the most beautiful in Ariège

Set in a pretty green valley, dominated by the Cathar Pyrenees in the background, Lake Montbel is a real sight for nature lovers. It's hard not to fall under the spell of this lagoon with crystal clear waters, a privileged place for swimming, practicing water sports, hiking or lazing around. Invitation to travel, this oasis of freshness nestled in an ocean of greenery offers an escape under the sign of leisure and relaxation. Adventure and change of scenery guaranteed!

Montbel Lake, a postcard setting

Straddling Aude and Ariège, Lake Montbel arouses wonder. The turquoise color of its peaceful waters, its enchanting islands, its abundant fauna and flora, its wild banks: the scene is set for a getaway rich in sensations! In a patchwork of astonishing landscapes, this little paradise at the foot of the Ariège mountains is actually an artificial water reservoir created in 1985 which extends over an area of 570 hectares nestled between the towns of Léran and Montbel which adjoin it. Its shape and the asymmetry of its banks give it its exceptional appearance as well as the changing color of its waters depending on the time and the weather, revealing an extraordinary palette from azure blue to emerald green.

Supplied with fresh water from the pure waters of the Hers, this lake offers a golden setting for greenery, fresh air to breathe, calm to bask on these preserved banks. Lac de Montbel is also very popular with sports enthusiasts because of the countless activities it offers in all seasons.

A paradise for sports enthusiasts and epicureans

A day at Lake Montbel is the perfect opportunity to explore the enchanting landscapes that surround it: undergrowth, fields and meadows bordered by forests, valleys and small wild creeks.

If you are a fan of walking or mountain biking, it is possible to go around Lake Montbel without difficulty on the 16-kilometre marked footpath around the lake. No need to be a seasoned walker to enjoy it! This 4-hour hike in the middle of nature offers many viewpoints and breathtaking panoramas of the Pyrenees, the picturesque Massif de Tabe with its Pic du Saint Barthélemy and Pic du Soularac in clear weather. An orientation table on the banks of Montbel makes it possible to identify the surrounding mountains which reinforce this very bucolic impression.

Swimming is also part of the game since the lake of Montbel hosts two sandy beaches located on the Montbel side and the Léran side. The water temperature can reach 27°C in summer. Ideal for families with children, the beach on the Léran side is equipped and supervised in summer. If you prefer calm and serenity, small, more isolated but unsupervised beaches are accessible all around the lake!

Beach and inflatable games, Montbel side

On the water or on its banks, the Montbel lake offers many activities to liven up your stay. Paddlers and freshwater sailors come here to enjoy its calm waters and practice their favorite water sports. If you do not have your own equipment, it is possible to rent canoes-kayaks and stand-up paddles at the first dike of Léran with Yakay-Kayak. Further along, along the shore, Au fil de l'eau offers the rental of pedal boats and electric boats to navigate the lake while respecting the environment and the many species of birds that have taken up residence there. If you want to explore the lake by sailboat, go to the nautical base of the Club de voile des rives de Léran. In addition to the rental of sailboats, sailing courses and individual initiations are on the program! On the side of Montbel beach, the rental of canoes-kayaks, pedal boats and stand-up paddles is offered by the Écume des jours and the Crêperie du lac.

To share warm moments with the family, the wide variety of activities to entertain children opens up the field of possibilities. In Montbel, you will find an inflatable games park with eight modules. The Appyparc tree climbing park offers adventure courses in the trees for young and old, while the Léran equestrian center offers horse or pony rides to explore the wild landscapes of the lake.

If you are a fishing enthusiast, the lake is home to a great variety of fish: catfish, pike, zander, carp, perch, roach, but also black bass, trout and salmon. To your lines!

Enough to fill a day in this idyllic setting!

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Article and photos by Lesley Williamson for the Guide Toulouse Pyrénées