Where to swim in Ariège ?
The Ariège, a territory of lakes and rivers
The Ariège is a territory that has still managed to preserve its charm and its nature of yesteryear. This beautiful department is located in the southwest of France, in the Occitanie region. It is located about 100 km south of Toulouse, next toSpain and the Principality ofAndorra.
The department of Ariège is full ofexceptional places to discover during your summer vacations. To find out where to swim amidst its mountainous landscapes, discover the best aquatic sites and prepare yourself for an unforgettable experience.
The Ariège is a territory that has still managed to preserve its charm and its nature of yesteryear. This beautiful department is located in the southwest of France, in the Occitanie region. It is located about 100 km south of Toulouse, next toSpain and the Principality ofAndorra.
The department of Ariège is full ofexceptional places to discover during your summer vacations. To find out where to swim amidst its mountainous landscapes, discover the best aquatic sites and prepare yourself for an unforgettable experience.
The lake of Montbel
Created in 1985 to irrigate the farmers’ plains, the artificial lake of Montbel is a very popular place for vacationers in search of freshness in the heart of the Pyrenees mountains. It is well accessible by road via the town of Montbel or coming from Léran. The panorama around this water point is splendid with a view on the Tabe massif.
A small shaded beach allows you to relax before swimming. You can enjoy the surroundings by sailing on small boats, pedal boats or paddle boats. For the little ones, inflatable games and an accrobranche park are installed around the lake. To make your stay more enjoyable, you can visit the Rives de Léran sailing club and learn to sail.
Neptunia Aquatic Center
The Neptunia Aquatic Center is located in the town of Pamiers. This playful and well-equipped sports complex is ideal for a cool afternoon with the family. It has several pools, some of which are outdoor. Slides are installed on the children’s pools. To get back in shape, you can visit the weight room.
You can then enjoy body treatments in the spa, sauna or steam room. The center offers several activities for all age groups: aquagym, aquabike, or aquasenior to gain in tone while having fun in the pool, or swimming lessons for all levels to perfect your swimming.
The Aqua Play Park
Located in Saverdun, on the lake of Ginestière, the Aqua Play Park is a water sports base that will delight young and old. Jump and test your balance on the Water-games, a 2000m² floating course. You can also have fun on the 7-level water jump.
The little ones will have something to occupy themselves with the trampolines and the water slides.
Other more leisurely activities are of course available: a tour of the lake by stand up paddle, pedal boat or kayak. The center provides lifebuoys and supervises the sessions.
The lake of Carla-bayle
Carla-Bayle is a small picturesque village surrounded by ramparts in the north of the Ariège. You can stroll along its small streets lined with half-timbered houses. Artists’ galleries have beautiful gifts to bring back as souvenirs. The lake is located at the foot of the bastide. Inflatables are installed on the water to make swimming more fun.
Around the lake, you will find recreational areas for mini golf, tennis or beach volleyball. A skatepark is also available for children. You can go fishing, hiking or mountain biking along the circuits. It is possible to eat in the restaurants around the lake, but you can also prepare your own picnic.
The lake of Sainte-Croix-Volvestre
Sainte-Croix-Volvestre is a charming village in the Couserans. Its magnificent 2 hectare lake is bordered by lawns and framed by lush vegetation. Enjoy the familyplayground with its soccer field, beach volleyball and bowling alley.
Two pontoons are available for fishing enthusiasts, including one for people with reduced mobility. After swimming, you can lounge on the banks to sunbathe or read. To stretch your legs, a marked hike through the forest is ideal while discovering the surroundings.
The lake of Mondély
The lake of Mondely is a dam lake at the foot of the valleys of Couserans. It is a real haven of peace to recharge your batteries, far from the usual daily hustle and bustle. This site enjoys an exceptional environment, very quiet, conducive to bird watching.
You can swim, fish or hike in the area. A refreshment bar is open to satisfy your hunger, but you can always bring your own meal and enjoy this green setting in all serenity.
The Couserans Aquatic Center
The Aquatic Center of Couserans is to be found within the Magic Park Indoor sports complex, in Saint-Girons. You will find a 25 meter swimming pool for your laps. More fun, another pool with massaging seats, water cannon and counter-current jets awaits you for a guaranteed moment of relaxation !
The youngest will be able to swim and have fun in a wading pool. You can join aqua aerobics or aqua dance activities, or sign up for swimming lessons to perfect your skills. Finally, to combine sport and relaxation, the center has a balneoform area: steam room, sauna and jacuzzi will make you forget your stress.
The swimming pool of Ax-les-Thermes
The village of Ax-les-Thermes, located in the latitude in the country of Foix, is known for its spa. It is a place very appreciated for its curative virtues in front of many evils. This is the location of the Spanish Park, which has a 32-meter outdoor pool. The water is heated to 25°C so that you can enjoy a good temperature at any time during your stay.
The park also has a small pool and a wading pool. If you want to play a few games, you can join the clay tennis courts or the mini-golf course. The solarium installed in the middle of the lawn will allow you to sunbathe peacefully. A restaurant is available on site.
Discover various summer activities in Ax-le-Thermes to relax in any season.
The nautical base of Mercus
If you like more sporty water activities, visit the Mercus nautical base. It is located in the commune of Mercus-Garrabet, in the center of the Ariège. A 45-hectare lake is the playground for boarders during the summer season. Discover the water ski lift, where 8 skiers on boards are pulled together on 800 meters at the end of a cable.
You can try kneeboarding , wakeboarding, water skiing and monoskiing. If you prefer a more leisurely activity on the lake, you can opt for pedal boats and paddles. Various animations are available to spice up your visit. The on-site beach features a beach volleyball court, picnic areas and children’s playgrounds.
The Aquatic Center of Foix
The country of Foix is the capital of the Ariège. This medieval prefecture is home to several tourist sites including the Foix-Varilhes Aquatic Center. You can relax with its 25-meter pool, ideal for swimming. Alearning pool is for those who prefer to slow down the pace. The little ones can play in the wading pool.
And if you want to enjoy the sun at the same time, join the outdoor pool with its geysers and wave balls for guaranteed fun. The aquatic center also has a wellness and relaxation area and a solarium. Ping-pong and foosball tables complete the place to adapt to the rhythm and desires of each one.
The lake of Labarre
Located in Foix-Labarre, this 25 hectare lake surrounded by vegetation is the ideal spot to recharge your batteries. Organize your days with swimming, sunbathing or fishing. You can take a leisurely stroll along the water in a pedal boat, canoe or paddle a kayak.
These boats have the advantage of being able to accommodate several people on board. The banks of the lake are equipped with collective leisure spaces to keep young and old busy. You can play volleyball or ping-pong. In the evening, various musical animations take place at Foix Plage.
Where to stay for your stay in Ariège ?
To leave with peace of mind and enjoy every moment of your stay, choose a vacation home. Among the good addresses in the region, the vacation house Marc and Montmija is particularly popular. This magnificent complex is located at an altitude of 1000 meters on the Montcalm, the highest point of the Ariège. Equipped with remarkableinfrastructures , it has 24 rooms and 16 lodgings entirely equipped to put you in total autonomy during all your stay.
Marc and Montmija Holiday House in Ariege offers severalaccommodation formulas adapted to each group of people. Several activities are proposed to discover the surroundings: hiking, water days, cultural discoveries. All this at your own pace and according to your desires.