How to bathe not far from Toulouse without coming to swell the ranks of holidaymakers who pile up like sardines in the swimming pools or leisure centers of the Pink City? Here are some swimming spots in landscaped lakes, less than an hour from Toulouse, which should meet all your requirements.
White Elm Lake (49 minutes)
Located in the heart of Lauragais, in the town of Caraman, this landscaped body of water is very popular with families but also with fishermen. The latter can invest the tour of the lake of 1.5 kilometers, except the 80 meters of beach, supervised in summer, reserved for bathers. Half-sand, half-grass, this is conducive to an afternoon of idleness, after having taken advantage of the picnic areas equipped with a barbecue and after a digestive stroll on the path which allows you to do the walk around the lake. And for those who don’t like to bask in the sun, floating inflatable games and paddleboard rentals are possible.
Practical information: The White Orme lake, in Caraman. Open 7 days a week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission: 2 euros.
Lake Saint-Férréol (60 minutes)
This body of water is surely the best known to Toulouse residents looking for freshness outside the city. But it remains unavoidable. In addition to simple swimming which is authorized and even supervised during the months of July and August, many activities have been developed over the years. Thus, you can practice water sports such as catamaran, windsurfing, kayaking, standup paddle or toboggan pedalo. But also, take advantage of the mini-golf, the tree climbing course, the climbing wall, or indulge in electric mountain biking, caving or archery.
Practical information: Lake Saint-Férréol, avenue de la plage in Revel. FREE ENTRANCE. Paid activities. Open daily, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Thésauque lake (48 minutes)
In the heart of the Lauragaise countryside, Lake Thésauque offers a privileged setting for getting together with family or friends. This body of water has been laid out in two distinct areas: the upper part of the lake is dedicated to leisure activities while the lower part has remained wilder to preserve the local fauna and flora. You will be able to see it while walking on the 5 kilometer riverside path, on foot or by bike. On the “tourism” side of the lake, a shaded and supervised beach (in summer) allows you to swim in complete safety. But you can also take advantage of the pedal boats, canoes and other pedal boats available for hire. Or have fun on the inflatable water games. And if the children are bursting with energy, you can always offer them an orientation course or a treasure hunt (using a smartphone).
Practical information: The Thésauque lake and beach, in Montgeard, are accessible free of charge every day.
Nautical activities are chargeable and open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Braguessou lake (31 minutes)
Less known, and therefore less frequented, Lake Braguessou nevertheless ticks all the boxes. On the 600 m² of the lake, the town hall of Saint-Jory has set up a small leisure area on which there are inflatable games and a fine sandy beach (supervised) allowing you to spend a lazy day in due form. You can eat on site by bringing your picnic (barbecues available) or by enjoying a menu from the “La Grangette” hut. A glacier also comes to the area every afternoon to refresh holidaymakers. And for those who are not afraid of being hot, theAwake parklocated on the lake, offers paddle or wakeboard rental.
Practical information: Lake Braguessou, chemin dewigt in Saint-Jory.
Access to the free beach, Monday to Friday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends from 12 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Paid nautical activities.
Bonnets lake (29 minutes)
Muret Plage has taken up its summer quarters on the shores of Lac des Bonnets. You will find a large supervised bathing area (from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.), a fine sandy beach. On the water, a giant inflatable slide and a waterpark share the lake. At the same time, several sports and leisure grounds have been installed, with loan of equipment, to practice volleyball, table tennis… To allow you to spend the day there, a picnic area is accessible, but you can You can also take advantage of the menus at the “La Java” guinguette. It organizes musical evenings from Wednesday to Saturday.
Practical information: Muret beach, at Lac des Bonnets, rue Louison Bobet in Muret.
Admission: 3 euros. Water park (1h): 5 euros. Free entry from 7 p.m.
Negret Lake (45 minutes)
Since last year, a real leisure base has grown on the Negret lake, located in Bressols, in the Tarn-et-Garonne. In addition to the equipped beach which allows you to sunbathe and dry off between two swims (supervised), a water park Wampark opened nautical activities. An 850-meter ski lift has been installed on the lake and allows the practice of kneeboarding, water skiing and wakeboarding. A course of inflatable games now sits on the water. The water jump slides guarantee thrills. And a restaurant space has emerged. For the less athletic, floating terraces are available for hire. In short, enough activities to spend a great day with family or friends.
Practical information: Lake Negret, chemin de Montagné in Bressols.
Access to the beach is free. Nautical activities are chargeable. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The 3 Lakes (60 minutes)
Three different lakes in one outing! It is possible in Monclar-de-Quercy. In effect, the 3 lakes leisure center (it can’t be invented!) has a natural body of water reserved for swimming, where the beach is supervised and where inflatable games and slides are accessible. A second is intended for fishing with regular releases which guarantee fish-filled water. And a third dedicated to water sports such as windsurfing or paddle. And more ; if the lake water is too cold for your taste, you can access the heated swimming pool, but also a fitted waterfall and a jacuzzi. A super complete offer where everyone will find what they are looking for.
Practical information: The leisure center of the 3 lakes, in Monclar-de-Quercy.
General admission: 4.90 euros. Prices vary depending on the activities carried out. Open 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily.
Lake Carla-Bayle (59 minutes)
On the side of Ariège too, the lakes equipped allow you to spend beautiful days of relaxation and swimming less than an hour from Toulouse, like that of Carla-Bayle. A beach has been created there and a supervised bathing area in summer has been delimited. Adjoining the beach is a playground for children, but also tennis courts, a mini-golf course, a beach volleyball court, a pediment and a climbing wall. On this same body of water, a water park has invested part of the lake to offer the unbeatable inflatable games, the traditional pedal boat, the classic kayak ride and the modern paddle board ride. You can also eat on site at the Resto du Lac or bring your picnic.
Practical information: Lake Carla-Bayle, road from Carla-Bayle to Carla-Bayle. Swimming is accessible free of charge.
Access to the Aquazone is chargeable. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saramon Lake (60 minutes)
At the gates of the village of Saramon, in the Gers, the landscaped lake by the municipality will seduce you with its calm and preserved rural character. You can enjoy its fine sandy beach and the adjoining grassy area shaded by the trees, it’s up to you. As pleasant as the other, you can picnic there or move around on the tables provided for this purpose. Games in the water and on land, slides, pedal boats and kayaks will help to liven up the day between two swims (supervised). A snack bar and a refreshment bar, installed in the enclosure of the lake also ensure the refreshment of the whole family.
Practical information: The Saramon Leisure Centre, in Saramon. Admission: €3.50 for adults and €2.50 for children.
Supervised swimming from Monday to Friday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on weekends from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
