Lakes around Carpentras offer diverse natural settings for outdoor activities in the Ventoux Provence area. The region, situated at the foot of Mont Ventoux, features a landscape characterized by natural and artificial lakes. These aquatic destinations provide opportunities for recreation and relaxation amidst scenic views of the Dentelles de Montmirail and surrounding forests. The area is known for its accessible lakes, which cater to various interests from swimming to hiking.
Last updated: May 25, 2026
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Popular around Carpentras
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a hike between scrubland and forest with magnificent landscapes
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Perfect for relaxing your legs after the climb.
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Be careful, lake integrated into the campsite, place quickly crowded
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Lovely (dammed) lake. Refreshing swim after (or in the middle of) a bike ride.
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There is an adventure park at the beginning of the lake. At the entrance there is a nice bar where you can eat and drink.
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This artificial lake with a beach and picnic area under trees is the only public opportunity for cooling off in the summer. Thanks to the huge parking lots, it's always busy when the weather is good. When the weather is clear, you can also see Mont Ventoux from here.
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Since I “know” the lake, it seems to me that the water level is decreasing more and more.
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Beautiful view of the Barroux and the Dentelles de Montmirail. A little too much bitumen for the first third of the outing but otherwise very good. My phone was out of battery so I don't have the full route. Elevation difference D+ approximately 600 m.
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The most popular lakes in the area include Lake Paty, known for its tranquil setting and swimming, and Lake Salettes, which is family-friendly with a beach and picnic areas. Lac de Monteux is also highly regarded for its diverse activities and good water quality.
Yes, several lakes are ideal for families. Lake Salettes offers a sandy beach, picnic areas, and an adventure park. Lac de Monteux is another excellent choice, featuring a supervised beach, inflatable water games, a large children's playground, and various water sports like paddleboarding and pedal boats.
Lac de Monteux is a vibrant spot with many activities. You can enjoy swimming at its supervised beach, paddleboarding, pedal boats, and waterboards during summer. It also has inflatable water games, a free-access fitness park, walking trails, and a large children's playground. Fishing, especially carp fishing, is also popular.
Lac des Salettes offers a beautiful natural setting with a fine sandy beach lined with maritime pines, perfect for a family day out. Beyond swimming, the area is great for hiking through stunning ochre landscapes and mountain biking on prepared trails. It also features forest acrobatic courses with Ventoux Aventure and is popular for fly-fishing.
Yes, Lake Paty is considered a tranquil, natural escape. Its shady banks are perfect for picnics and relaxing siestas, and it's often quieter than other lakes, even on weekends. A shady 'guinguette' (open-air cafe) is also available for refreshments.
Absolutely. The areas around lakes like Lac des Salettes and Lake Paty offer numerous trails. Around Lac des Salettes, you can hike through beautiful ochre landscapes. Trails around Lake Paty provide spectacular views of the Dentelles de Montmirail and Mont Ventoux. For more options, you can explore easy hikes around Carpentras.
The lakes offer diverse natural beauty. Lac des Salettes is known for its fine sandy beach and maritime pines. Lake Paty is a haven for amphibians and provides views of the Dentelles de Montmirail. The nearby Etang de la Bonde features turquoise waters and diverse birdlife, while the Sorgue river is known for its intensely bright green waters.
Visitors frequently praise the lakes for their opportunities to cool down and relax, especially during hot days. The tranquil settings, like that of Lake Paty, are highly appreciated. The family-friendly amenities, such as beaches and adventure parks at Lake Salettes, also receive positive feedback.
Yes, several lakes offer refreshment options. Lake Paty has a small tavern and a shady 'guinguette'. At Lake Salettes, there's a bar at the entrance. Lac de Monteux also has a private beach with beverage service and various facilities.
The summer months, particularly from mid-June to mid-September, are ideal for enjoying water activities like swimming and paddleboarding, as many facilities are fully operational. However, the lakes offer picturesque settings for hiking and relaxation throughout the warmer seasons, with spring and autumn providing pleasant temperatures for land-based activities.
Yes, the region around Carpentras, including areas near the lakes, is popular for cycling. You can find various road cycling routes, including challenging ascents of Mont Ventoux. For detailed routes, refer to the Road Cycling Routes around Carpentras guide.
Yes, parking is generally available. Lake Paty offers excellent parking spaces. Lac des Salettes also has huge parking lots, though it can get busy on good weather days. Some parking at Lac de Monteux may incur a charge.
While the main lakes are well-known, Lake near Monnieux is a smaller, quieter spot where you can find shade under trees, ideal for resting. The Grozeau Spring is also a perfect stop-off with very high clarity water, great for relaxing your legs after a climb.


Find the best lakes around Carpentras per region:
Still not found your perfect lake around Carpentras? Check out the guides of these regions to see even more beautiful places.