Swimming in the Minervois

Aside from the numerous public swimming pools located in many of the towms and villages there is an abundance of river & lake swimming available. In the summer months and with the temperature soaring there is no better way to cool down. Drive into the moutains & swim in beautiful pools or enjoy one of our suggestions below. There are many many more places not listed here, speaking to locals is the best way of discovering hidden gems!

If you're feeling adventurous there is a magical place near Minerve, park up in the village and follow the path behind the small church. Follow the river for about a mile until it opens up to a wonderful pool (summer months only, when the river is in full flow).

Aigues Vives on the river Cesse climbs deep into the Hautes Minervois via the notable Cathar village of Minerve, with its deep gorges, where the river goes under a hill creating a natural bridge. A number of hidden pools are found on the river as it meanders towards the sea

From Cabrespine, it's well worth while driving to Pradelles. Here, high in the montagnes is a purpose built swimming lake surrounded by gorgeous meadow and trees. There's a café open in the summer months.

Bize-Minervois is situated on the River Cesse just south of the Black Mountains and the Languedoc Regional National Park, on the edge of the flat plain of the Minervois wine region. A natural swimming pool has been created within the bed of the river which provides unique safe swimming. There is a grassed area and a pebbled ‘beach’ with a life guard on duty between 1.30 pm and 7 pm every day during the summer months. The water is tested by the local authorities and is constantly being refreshed as the river flows downstream. At the edge of the pool, there is a small crêperie with outdoor seating.
There is another dammed pool about 1 km upstream.

Lac du Jouarres is a lovely leisure facility and well worth a visit. This man-made lake covers 100 hectares and contains 4 million cubic metres of water. There there is a restaurant and bar, windsurfing and boating facilities in addition to fishing and wildlife areas. Walking its perimeter will take about an hour and is a very pleasant way to spend some time.There is a separate swimming area with trained lifeguards in charge and the beach has been prepared using pebbles and geotextiles to prevent weed growth. In the summer season, a range of surf board courses are on offer in the sailing area. Toilet facilities are at the base of the observation tower structure and there is plenty of free car parking.

Born of the ashes of a 1985 fire that devastated the area the lake of la Cavayère is a beautiful reservoir of 1.5 million cubic metres covering a surface area of 18 hectares. It took six months to build the dam (155m long, 23m high, 142m thick at the base and 5m thick at the top), working from May through November 1988. Located near the Medieval City in a natural environment, the lake shelters an abundance of mediterranean vegetation spread over 40 hectares. The lake of la Cavayère is not just for taking a stroll. It is also a health resort, has a fantastic adventure park, picnic areas, children's games, water sports and sandy beaches (Lifeguards in summer).