Pets allowed:
Chiens tenus en laisse
The Lac de Vioreau is a protected area that has become a popular venue for outdoor physical activities, water sports, swimming, hiking and fishing. It’s the place to be in fine weather!
Situated in Joué-sur-Erdre, at the heart of a designated protected natural area, Lake Vioreau is a unique natural site in Loire-Atlantique. The lake, the largest navigable inland body of water in the department, is one of the tourist attractions of the Pays d’Ancenis. This must-visit spot on sunny days is ideal for relaxation as well as leisure activities. With swimming, games, walks and picnics in the shade, the leisure centre invites you to spend an afternoon or a day unwinding.
Lined with shaded picnic tables, the Vioreau site is the perfect spot for an al fresco lunch in refreshing surroundings. The well-maintained site offers a picnic area, toilets, showers and a snack bar for refreshments throughout the day. In summer, it’s also lovely to cool off by the water’s edge or enjoy a swim as soon as the fine weather arrives. The free beach at Lac de Vioreau is lifeguard-supervised from 7 July until the end of August, Tuesday to Sunday from 12.30 pm to 6.30 pm.
/!\ Swimming may sometimes be prohibited even during the summer, depending on the results of water quality tests. Before heading there to swim, check whether swimming is permitted on the town hall’s website or by calling the town hall.
New this summer: a swimming pool has been set up near the beach at Lake Vioreau! With a 12 x 6-metre pool 1.50 metres deep, swimmers can enjoy this new facility on sunny summer days in a stunning setting. Swimming lessons for children and adults are provided at the pool by three swimming instructors from Nantes Natation (registration at Joué-sur-Erdre Town Hall).
Situated on the edge of the forest, you can round off your day with a walk around the lake. The 10.5 km loop runs alongside the barges in a peaceful and picturesque setting. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover all the different aspects of this site: the beach, the natural areas, the charming houses and the vast Vioreau Forest.
Lake Vioreau is therefore an ideal playground for swimming, water sports (dinghy sailing, catamaran sailing, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing) and land-based activities (archery, mountain biking, rock climbing, orienteering), as well as taking part in workshops to raise awareness of and explore the natural environment.
The site is also a favourite spot for anglers. As the largest reservoir in the department, Lake Vioreau is home to a healthy population of predatory fish, predominantly zander and perch, as well as a good population of common and mirror carp. Fishing licences are available from the Amical des Pêcheurs de Vioreau at the Coccimarket grocery and tobacconist’s (322 Rue du Bocage). The fishing facilities are accessible to people with reduced mobility (there is a disabled-access jetty). Calling all fishing enthusiasts!
Practical information:
– Supervised swimming from 7 July to 31 August, every day of the week from 2 pm to 6 pm.
– From Joué-sur-Edre via the D24, follow signs for the water sports centre.
Pictures
Equipment
- Picnic area
- Bar
- Toilets
Location
