Le Lac-d'Issarlès is a village in the Ardèche region in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, on the border of the Haute-Loire, 28 km south of Puy-en-Velay.
The municipality was created in 1929, by partition of the territory of Issarlès, and bears the name of a natural volcanic lake of 90 hectares to the northwest of which a hamlet had formed, become the heart of a Village of some 300 inhabitants.
The lake and its verdant surroundings, at the foot of the juice (summit) of Cherchemuse, in average mountain (1000 m altitude for the lake), constitute the major asset of the town in terms of tourism, thanks to water sports And the countless hikes for holidaymakers. They flock in good season because the rest of the year, the lake feeding a power plant by underground pipes that connect it to reservoirs on the Loire, sees its level drop. In summer, its maximum depth is 138 m.
Outside the Romanesque-Gothic village church, built in the 11th century and with a porch with two towers, it is essentially the natural heritage of the town and its Exceptional landscapes that concentrate the activities and leisure offered to visitors and tourists.
To enjoy the pure waters of the lake and a pleasant climate in summer, we combine lazing and swimming at the beach, monitored in July and August. Free access. The practice of pedalo, canoe and paddle is also possible. Information on +33 (0) 4 66 46 17 69.
Sport side, you can play tennis all year except on Monday: contact the +33 4 66 46 20 06. Alternatively, climbing on a natural site on Vertical walls 6 to 35 m high. Information on +33 (0) 4 66 46 17 69.
But it is obviously the lovers of hikes who are at the party. For walkers, the simple tour of the lake is accessible via a path of 5 km, in the undergrowth, and allows way to pick strawberries from the woods, raspberries and mushrooms...
Other routes sometimes more demanding, But also marked, lead to discover the amazing troglodyte dwellings dug in the rock and now highlighted, or to reach the summit of the volcano Cherchemuse (1,300 m) to enjoy a sumptuous panorama and admire the basaltic flows descending towards the Valley... Brochures and information on +33 4 66 46 17 69.
Not less than seven circuits for mountain bike tours have also been designed, of variable length and difficulty. Inquire at +33 4 66 46 17 69. Note that the rental of ATV with electric assistance is provided at +33 4 66 46 20 70.
In the middle of June, the festival of spring in the village and the village hall, over two days, offers theatrical evening, flower market, market of producers and craftsmen, and street shows.
On the evening of July 14, on the occasion of the national holiday, fireworks shot over the lake.
In the last week of July, from Tuesday to Saturday, the Champ des Muses is a festival featuring musical shows, plays and screenings of evening and outdoor films, and in the afternoon, artistic workshops Pottery, sculpture), animations and games in a convivial atmosphere. Information on +33 4 66 46 21 83.
The first weekend of August, the village celebrates its votive festival. Numerous activities, ball and fireworks on Sunday evening.
Lastly, from mid-July to the end of August, every Tuesday from 10.30 am, a welcome drink is offered by the Tourist Office, with the discovery of local gourmet treasures, cheeses, wines). Same possibility, on Tuesday evenings, in July and August, from 5 pm on the village square, where a friendly and colorful local producers market is held.
