The lake of Salagou is the largest body of water in the Hérault. It is the reservoir of the eponymous dam and is located in the center of the department. It is in 1969 that the Salagou was hindered to create this water level. Seven kilometers long and 45 meters deep, the lake serves as an irrigation reservoir for the surrounding crops and as a buffer against flooding.
The 750 hectares of this lake are amazing in many ways. First of all, the landscape. The hills surrounding the lake are all red, a sign of the presence of iron oxide in the ruffe, the name of the clay that makes up the soil in this area.
This red earth is historical. Traces of mammals can be found here, the only ones in Europe. Mammals are reptiles older than dinosaurs. This means that these mountains have seen the years go by. Two hundred and fifty years were necessary for nature to create this exceptional panorama.
The eyes are served on the lake of Salagou. The red rubs shoulders with the white of the damsel, the guardian, the lovers, the tamer and the bear: the giants of the lake, the cliffs of the surroundings of the lake. The black, finally, recalls the strong past volcanic activity.
A wide range of sports
The twenty-eight kilometers of the lake's perimeter are an invitation to practice all that this wilderness has to offer.
On land, there are mountain bikes, horseback riding, hiking, horseback riding, electric bikes and fishing.
On the water, the sportsman can practice pedal boat, kayak, paddle, sailboat, catamaran or windsurf.
In the air, a paragliding flight over the site offers an original view.
And between the two, climbing, via ferrata, via corda, rock climbing will satisfy the sportsman. A whole program of activities is offered to all.
Of moderate difficulty, the tour of the lake is done on foot, by a relatively marked out course. It can be done on foot (bring a stroller for children) or by mountain bike. The course is not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
One lake, two nautical bases
The lake offers two nautical bases.
The bay of Vailhes, to the north of the lake, offers all the activities on the water. Catamaran, paddle or even electric boats are available to users, for an hour or a day.
Further south, in Clermont l'Hérault, the Salagou open air base offers water activities connected to the mineral environment of the site. Climbing, mountain biking or archery are offered on site. Those who need to access the internet can use the wifi for free.
Both structures are designed to allow all users to enjoy their time on the lake.
A single point of contact for users
The lake of Salagou is bordered by about fifteen municipalities that have gathered within the Syndicat mixte du Grand Site Salagou - Cirque de Mourèze to ensure its management. The establishment maintains a delicate balance between the activities on the lake and around.
The establishment also establishes the regulations for both fishing and navigation on the water body.
Some lake areas are forbidden to visit on the lake:
- The 200 meter zone around the dam,
- The reedbed of L'anse d'Ariège (known as the Octon reedbed) from March 1st to August 31st,
- Defended areas, on the parking lot of Liausson.
Essential ecological precautions
Like any fragile ecological space, the Salagou lake requires that all users apply certain precautions. For the boaters, it is asked in particular to take care not to transport species (algae, plants...) which could unbalance the local ecosystem.
Thus, according to the regulations, it is required to rinse before and after launching the hull, propellers and anchor which could carry plants.
In the event that a piece of lagarosiphon ( an invasive algae ) would be removed, it is requested that it be deposited on the shore to dry and decompose.
Thermal navigation prohibited
Space Natura 2000 in its entirety, the Salagou lake is protected. In other words, the only boats allowed on its surface are wind-driven, arm-driven or electrically powered.
The two nautical bases have their own pontoons and launching possibilities, which does not exclude the possibility of launching independently on one of the five available slips (village of Celles, Octon, Baie des Plots, Rouens and Liausson).
Reasonable and sensible use
As a whole, the Salagou lake advocates a reasonable and reasoned use of its resources.
Navigation is free on the water and does not require a sticker or membership.
It is forbidden to moor your boat on the lake or on the shore outside the designated areas:
- At the year in the nautical bases of Vailhés and Clermont l'Hérault,
- During the tourist season on the intermediate beaches: Wind 34 (l'Ariole), Liausson, Relais Nautique d'Octon, Mas de Riri (Le Mas).
Finally, the use of thermal engines is possible for certain uses only:
- Boats for monitoring, operating and maintaining the dam,
- The boats of the French Agency for Biodiversity and the National Office for Hunting and Wildlife,
- The surveillance boats of the Fishing Federation,
- The boats of the Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS),
- The safety boats of the providers of nautical activities (sailing lessons, renting) present on the banks which must have thermal motor boats to guarantee the safety of their participants.
For other activities (events, camps or organized group outings) it is possible to request an exemption from the sub-prefecture. They will only be granted for security reasons.
In summer, swimming is supervised only in Clermont l'Hérault and Les Vailhés.
Note that the lake is a capital water reserve in the fight against forest fires in summer. It is not uncommon for airplanes to use the lake for scooping, and it is mandatory to leave the lake as soon as one of these aircraft approaches. The zone foreseen for these scoopings is in the middle of the lake.
A detailed map of the site and the practice areas is available on request from the Syndicat du Grand Site or the Tourist Offices.
Emeric the head of the Salagou outdoor center is our guide around the lake.
The guide's advice
Navigation on the lake is easy. There are no annoying winds, but in season, a southerly pattern starts to develop at the end of the morning and strengthens throughout the afternoon. Some specific thermals due to the temperature rise of the surrounding hills are to be managed.
Emeric explains these particular regimes in the south of France. " One should not approach the Salagou lake without first inquiring about the wind. We are in the middle of the Tramontane corridor which usually lasts for 3 days begins the manager.
" The northwest wind is present all year round. It is essential to check the weather forecast on our website and at the base, where it is always posted. In case of wind, the water can become quite complicated. It is not uncommon for the wind to be around 20 to 25 knots with gusts up to 35 knots "concludes Emeric.
When the tramontana is not in place, the thermals really appear around 4 pm. " The wind is from the south/south and is blowing northwards. Paddleboats, kites and paddleboards must be very careful, as they are carried by a light wind away from the base, towards the north. Their appearance is progressive, so they have time to come back " he explains. " I advise to approach the nautical base in the middle of the afternoon, around 2:30 - 3:00 pm ".
" The boat slips are all old roads that used to criss-cross the area before the creation of the lake. Do not park or park a trailer in the passageway and remember to park in the right direction, always with the front of the vehicle facing upstream from the access road to avoid complex maneuvers when leaving the water in the evening "adds Emeric.
" In summer, the rescue services are present on the lake. Two first aid posts are established with a permanent presence of lifeguards. In case of serious problem, they can be reached by phone ( 04 67 96 55 98 ) ".
The pontoons are not accessible to the public, reserved for the users of the two nautical bases.
About scooping, which is in fact the first danger on the lake, Emeric explains: " In the summer, sirens are triggered in case of scooping and loudspeakers broadcast the announcement of the upcoming scooping. Lifeguards are alerted beforehand and get into the water to evacuate users. The scooping always takes place upwind and the canadairs pass over the lake on reconnaissance and alert between 5 and 10 minutes before taking to the water, leaving time to leave the lake. "
Local tips and tricks
There is no shortage of activities on the lake. One of the most pleasant is undoubtedly to rent an electric boat and go on a family picnic. Don't forget to bring a hat, water and sunscreen because in summer, temperatures soar and with them, the UV indexes, whose hardness is increased by the reflection on the surface of the water.
Emeric recommends the western area of the lake, behind the peninsula in the direction of Octon. " It is a very wild zone with grandiose landscapes. The rock is very red there, we feel very far, isolated from the rest of the world. "
You should not miss the grandiose spectacle of the cirque of Mourèze and the enchanting atmosphere of the cave of Clamouse.
Absolute recommendation of the guide, on land, " Go to Liausson place de l'église to go up to the belvedere which dominates the lake. It is one of the best places to discover the lake and its absolutely beautiful environment. "
For the thrill-seekers, there is a paragliding flight over the lake. The flight lasts about 20 minutes and costs 90 euros. It is accessible to everyone, from 5 to 85 years old. Several departure points are possible all around the lake.
Since we also have to eat, Emeric recommends the Auberge du Lac, on the heights of the lake. " There is a terrace overlooking the lake. In spring or summer, at sunset, it is simply beautiful. You can enjoy traditional southern cuisine. "The gourmet finishes for me, the duck confit with small vegetables is the reference dish. "
