Lac Pavin

#90 among destinations in France

Nature, Natural attraction, Lake

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Facts and practical information

Lac Pavin, nestled in the heart of France's Auvergne region, is a pristine volcanic lake known for its circular shape and deep blue waters. Formed roughly 6,000 years ago by a phreatomagmatic eruption, a rare occurrence where magma meets water, the lake is the youngest of its kind in the Massif Central.

Spanning approximately 44 hectares and reaching depths of nearly 93 meters, Lac Pavin is a marvel of natural engineering. Its waters are stratified, meaning that different layers do not mix, creating a unique ecosystem. The lake is surrounded by lush forests and rich biodiversity, making it a haven for nature lovers and hikers alike.

The lake also carries a sense of mystery due to the legend of a sunken city beneath its surface and the occasional release of carbon dioxide gas bubbles from its depths, a reminder of the lake's volcanic origins.

Alternative names: Area: 108.73 acres (0.1699 mi²)Maximum depth: 302 ftElevation: 3947 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 45°29'45"N, 2°53'16"E

Location

Auvergne-Rhône-AlpesFrance

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Day trips

Lac Pavin – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Super Besse, Puy de Sancy, Lac Chambon, Lac de Bourdouze.

1.6 miNW
Winter sport, Ski area
Super Besse
41 min walk • Nestled in the heart of France's Massif Central, Super Besse is a dynamic ski area that beckons winter sports enthusiasts with its pristine slopes and breathtaking mountain vistas. This alpine gem, situated in the Auvergne region, offers a picturesque setting for an...
4.2 miNW
Nature, Natural attraction, Volcano
Puy de Sancy, Mont Dore
108 min walk • Nestled in the heart of France's volcanic region, the Puy de Sancy is the highest peak in the Massif Central, rising to an elevation of 1,885 meters. Located near the town of Mont Dore, this majestic mountain is a beacon for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
5.4 miN
Nature, Natural attraction, Lake
Lac Chambon
138 min walk • Lac Chambon is a lake in Puy-de-Dôme, France. At an elevation of 877 m, its surface area is 0.6 km².
2.6 miSE
Nature, Natural attraction, Lake
Lac de Bourdouze
67 min walk • Lac de Bourdouze is a lake near Puy de Sancy in the Puy-de-Dôme department, France. At an elevation of 1168 m, its surface area is 0.15 km².
1.7 miNW
Nature, Natural attraction, Lake
Lac des Hermines
45 min walk • Lac des Hermines is a lake near Super-Besse, in Puy-de-Dôme, France. At an elevation of 1350 m, its surface area is 0.14 km².
4.5 miNW
Nature, Natural attraction, Volcano
Monts Dore
114 min walk • The Monts Dore are the remnant peaks of a volcanic massif situated near the center of the Massif Central, in the Auvergne region of France. They form a picturesque mountainous region, dotted with lakes, thermal springs and romanesque churches.
4.3 miW
Nature, Natural attraction, Volcano
Chaîne des Puys
109 min walk • The Chaîne des Puys is a north-south oriented chain of cinder cones, lava domes, and maars in the Massif Central of France. The chain is about 40 km long, and the identified volcanic features, which constitute a volcanic field, include 48 cinder cones, eight lava domes, and 15 maars and explosion craters.
6 miNE
Nature, Natural attraction, Cave
Grottes de Jonas, Saint-Pierre-Colamine
154 min walk • The Jonas caves are a troglodytic habitat, located in Saint-Pierre-Colamine near Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise and Murol, Puy-de-Dôme department, Auvergne region located in France.
2.1 miS
Nature, Natural attraction, Lake
Lac de Montcineyre
54 min walk • Lac de Montcineyre is a lake in Compains, Puy-de-Dôme, France. At an elevation of 1182 m, its surface area is 0.4 km².
2.5 miNE
Church
St. Andrew's Church
65 min walk • The Saint-André church is a Catholic church located in Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise, France.
6.4 miNW
Railway, Transport
Funiculaire du Capucin, Mont Dore
165 min walk • The Capucin funicular is located in the commune of Mont-Dore. It is the first electric funicular built in France and is registered as a historical monument. Its line crosses 175 meters of difference in altitude and ends at the Salon du Capucin, at...