Lac Pavin, Volcanic crater lake in Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise, France.
Lake Pavin forms a perfect circular shape with a diameter of 800 meters and contains deep blue-green waters reaching depths of 92 meters.
The lake emerged approximately 6,900 years ago through a phreatomagmatic eruption, marking it as the most recent volcano formation in mainland France.
The name derives from Latin 'pavens', meaning terrible, which connects to local folklore about mysterious creatures living in its depths.
The lake perimeter features a maintained path allowing visitors to walk completely around the water while observing the surrounding forest.
The lake maintains separate water layers that never mix below 60 meters depth, creating distinct chemical and biological zones throughout the water column.
Location: Besse
Location: Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise
Address: Lac Pavin, 63610 Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise, France 63610 Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise
GPS coordinates: 45.49593,2.88794
Latest update: June 23, 2025 15:04
The lakes of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes showcase remarkable geological diversity. The natural glacial lakes such as Bourget and Annecy contrast with the deep volcanic lakes of Pavin and Bouchet. The artificial lakes of Serre-Ponçon and Monteynard complete this hydrographic network. This region includes high-altitude lakes in the Alps and the Massif Central, plains water bodies, and hydropower dam reservoirs.
Puy de Sancy
6.8 km
Lac Pavin
27 m
Chaîne des Puys
6.9 km
Vallée de Chaudefour
5.1 km
Chapelle Notre-Dame de Vassivière
3 km
Réserve naturelle nationale de Chastreix-Sancy
7.9 km
Puy Ferrand
5.8 km
Téléphérique du puy de Sancy
7.7 km
Puy de Montchal, Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise
976 m
Saint-André
4.1 km
Beffroi à Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise
3.9 km
Église Saint-Georges de Compains
6.8 km
Lac Pavin
38 m
Lac de Montcineyre
4.1 km
Église Saint-Victor de Saint-Victor-la-Rivière
7.4 km
Église Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens de Longprat
7.8 km
Croix de Chambon-sur-Lac
8.4 km
Maison de la Reine Margot
4 km
Église Saint-Barthélemy de Saint-Anastaise
7.1 km
Puy de Cacadogne
6.5 km
Fontaine place de la Gayme
3.9 km
Château du Bailli
4 km
Maison des Consuls
3.9 km
Maison, 2 rue Notre-Dame, rue de la Boucherie
4 km
Pentures du portail sud de l'église Saint-Georges de Compains
6.8 km
Église d'Anglard
3.9 km
Fonts baptismaux de l'église Saint-Georges de Compains
6.8 km
Maison des Boucheries
4 kmReviews
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