Lac d'Aydat

The Lac d'Aydat is the largest natural lake in Auvergne. It was created by a volcanic dam: the lava flow from the Puy de la Vache and the Puy de Lassolas, the 15-kilometre-long Cheire d'Aydat, blocked the Veyre valley and held back its waters, forming the Lac d'Aydat and the small Lac de la Cassière.

Near the northern shore, an island is named Saint-Sidoine, after Bishop Sidonius Apollinaris, who owned a Roman villa on the lakeside. In a wooded setting, a 5.5-kilometre path runs around it. In summer the lake offers a beach with supervised swimming, a water sports centre for sailing, canoeing and rowing, and pedalo hire. Fishing is regulated, and trout, pike-perch and pike are common.

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