Lac de Payolle, Mountain reservoir at Col d'Aspin, Hautes-Pyrénées, France
The Payolle Lake extends across 25 acres at an elevation of 3,737 feet, surrounded by the mountain peaks of the French Pyrenees.
The reservoir was constructed during the twentieth century as part of a regional initiative for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation.
The seventh stage of the Tour de France cycling competition concluded at Payolle Lake in July 2016, highlighting its regional significance.
Visitors can engage in multiple seasonal activities including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, mountain biking, hiking, and fishing throughout the year.
Three mountain streams supply water to this lake, which completely freezes during winter months, transforming the landscape.
Location: Hautes-Pyrénées
Elevation above the sea: 1,139 m
Address: Lac de Payolle, 65710 Campan, France 65710 Campan
GPS coordinates: 42.93444,0.29722
Latest update: July 1, 2025 15:04
Occitanie hosts a wide variety of lakes spread between the Pyrenees and the Massif Central. Natural lakes mainly occupy high-altitude zones in the Pyrenees, where glacial erosion has carved out cirques and basins now filled with water. Lake Oô, located at 4,950 feet (1,507 meters) altitude, receives water from a 984-foot (300-meter) waterfall descending from Lake Espingo. The Bastan lakes form a series of three linked water bodies between 7,217 and 8,202 feet (2,200 and 2,500 meters) near Barèges, while Lake Bethmale, at 3,498 feet (1,065 meters) in Couserans, is surrounded by beech forests. Artificial lakes in the region serve various functions, including water storage, hydroelectric power, and recreational activities. Lake Salagou, created in 1969 in Herault, stands out for its distinctive geological setting: red rocks rich in iron give the landscape a reddish-brown hue. Lake Pareloup, covering about 3,485 acres (1,410 hectares) in Aveyron, is one of the largest reservoirs in the area. Lake Saint-Ferréol, built in the 17th century at the foot of the Black Mountain, supplies the Canal du Midi and demonstrates historic hydraulic engineering. These lakes offer opportunities for hiking, sailing, and windsurfing, especially at Lake Ganguise where the wind blows roughly 300 days per year.
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Château des Nestes
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