Lac de Pont-de-Salars is a reservoir on the Plateau du Lévézou, fed by the Viaur. In Pont-De-Salars, there is plenty to explore, from water activities to hiking, cycling and architectural history. The landscape also has more than one side: deeply cut, wooded valleys shape the area, including the Gorge du Viaur.

Water sports and seasonal opening times

At the l’Anse du Lac water sports centre, canoes and kayaks are available to rent on Lac de Pont-de-Salars; opening times may be seasonal. The Aqua Park adds 24 inflatable modules that float on the lake’s calm waters. The Aqua Park is also seasonal; check the latest opening dates before your trip if you plan to visit. Plage des Rousselleries is a free family beach. From 1 July to 31 August, it is supervised from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Confirm the current hours for your travel dates. Rentals, the water park and supervised beach hours differ both in the activities offered and in their time-related conditions.

Fishing and trails by the lake

Fishing is possible on Lac de Pont-de-Salars all year round; separate seasonal restrictions apply. The lake is classified as a category 2 fishing water. There are boat ramps at Pont de Salars and Montredon. Their use may depend on local conditions; check in advance if you plan to use a ramp.

The Alaret Méjanès Mérican route is an easy 11 km circular hike. It first runs above Lac de Pont-de-Salars and then along the lake. There is a car park for this hike at Place de la Rivière, at the lower edge of the village, near the road bridge over the Viaur. The car park’s location is a useful reference point when planning the route.

The Circuit des Lacs du Lévézou is a moderately difficult 67 km circular cycling route starting from Pont-De-Salars. Compared with the easy 11 km hike, it differs in both mode of travel and length and difficulty rating. The hike and cycling route therefore offer two clearly distinct options for different route requirements.

Chapel, church and bridge

The Notre-Dame de Salars chapel is about 500 m from Pont-De-Salars, on a hill above the village centre. In 1078, it was handed over to Sainte-Foy de Conques. The Église du Poujol retains its original Latin cross ground plan; externally, it has a 16th-century bell-gable. A Latin cross ground plan describes the shape of the church building, while the bell-gable is an exterior architectural feature. The Pont de Saint Georges de Camboulas bridge is listed as a historic monument. Together, these sites offer different perspectives on cultural history: a dated transfer, a preserved church plan with its tower form, and a listed bridge.

Seasonal opening and supervision hours are a practical factor when choosing when to travel; the hike and cycling route differ considerably in length and difficulty rating.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Izaire, Nant, Prévinquières, Fondamente, Lassouts, Peyreleau, Lugan, Sauveterre-De-Rouergue.

For the regional travel overview: Aveyron.