Lac de Bort-les-Orgues

Lac de Bort-les-Orgues is a reservoir in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Nouvelle-Aquitaine formed by a dam on the Dordogne River. The water surface sits behind the dam and is surrounded by wooded slopes, sandy beaches and rocky heights, with many sections of shoreline gentle enough for walking and resting near the edge.

The dam was built to store water and generate electricity, transforming the Dordogne riverbed into a large lake. The project reshaped the region while providing jobs and a source of power for surrounding areas.

The name refers to a nearby town and rock formations that resemble organ pipes. Locals use the lake mostly in summer for swimming and fishing, while visitors often walk along the shore paths and stop at viewpoints to watch the water.

Parking and picnic areas line the shore roads, making it easy for families to reach the water. Sandy beach sections work well for swimming and playing when the weather is warm, and morning or evening visits often feel quieter and offer better light for walking.

The reservoir touches three different departments and sits within two regional natural parks, each protecting different stretches of the shore. Otters and freshwater pearl mussels live in the waters and surrounding woods, while eagles and ravens soar above the rocky heights.