Lake Payolle

What does Lac de Payolle have in store for visitors?

Greenery and aquatics are the two main attractions of Lac de Payolle, located in the communes of Campan and Arreau. Created in 1970, this man-made lake provides visitors with a multitude of activities. Accessible by car, all you have to do is drive through the Adour valley from Bagnères-de-Bigorre. You arrive at this Payolle lake by choosing another route through the Aure valley. This route takes you over the mythical Col d’Aspin.

You’ll have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of water sports. The Hautes-Pyrénées Arriou campsite is the ideal place for canoeing, kayaking and pedal-boating at Lac de Payolle. In the vicinity of this generous natural setting on the Col d’Aspin, you’ll find hiking, forest trails, picnics and other outdoor activities.

Camping with friends, family outings, seeking new adventures in the Midi-Pyrénées, the Payolle lake and its vegetation welcome you just for fun and discovery. The village of Payolle is known as “Little Canada” thanks to its beech forests and the possibility of tobogganing, Nordic or downhill skiing and dog-sledding.

Lac de Payolle and its exceptional surroundings

12 m deep, the surface of Lac Payolle takes on the color of the clouds and landscapes that shade and illuminate it in all its beauty. Its natural waters come from the Sarraoute and Morère streams. The north shore of the lake is made up of tourist residences from which the Arbizon massif, Arcouade and Pic du Midi provide superb views.

From the forest near Lac Payolle, you can take beautiful photos while peacefully feeling the coolness of the climate. Cani-rando and cani-trotinette are available during your stay at the Lac Payolle Arriou campsite. Mountain-boarding and devalkarting enthusiasts will also find much to their liking.

You’re likely to forget the notion of time on the lakeshore, because from near or far, the surroundings are bewitching. If you take the road up to the Col d’Aspin, you’ll witness a unique spectacle played out by the lake seen from above, the Pic du Midi and the neighboring peaks. The myth of the Col d’Aspin has been discovered by the Tour de France. Every bend in this beautiful landscape promises an exceptional legend for the riders.

Lac de Payolle: the place to be for all kinds of entertainment

For a family picnic, a lakeside snack in an idyllic setting is a shared joy. It’s also an opportunity to teach the little ones how to hike and use a fishing rod. And why not savor the specialties of the nearby Arriou camping restaurant. Your taste buds will be surprised by the menus presented by the restaurant’s chef. And in winter, Lake Payolle is an incomparable destination for cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and dog sledding. In winter, events revolve around winter sports such as ice skating, dog sledding, cross-country skiing or orienteering at Lac de Payolle. Camping Arriou caters for the needs of visitors to the locality, and provides a full range of useful accessories for both summer and winter activities, with rental prices remaining low.

Cycling is very popular at Lac de Payolle every year. This exceptional place is part of the history of the Tour de France. In 2016, the lake was chosen as a stage finish. Many famous riders such as Dany Navarro, Paul Martens, Jasper Stuyven and Pierre-Luc Périchon were present. This stage was marked by various attacks from riders.

The artificial lake at Payolle offers visitors to Camping Arriou the chance to enjoy canoeing, kayaking and pedal-boating. Plan to spend a day admiring the beautiful view from the edge of the Payolle lake and climbing all the surrounding areas of this aquatic environment rich in vegetation. After a day of discovery, you can relax in the campsite’s heated swimming pool.

Rental near Payolle lake

Dreaming of a vacation as close as possible to Lake Payolle? Discover our campsite in Beaudéan, just 17 km from the lake !

We offer 3 types of accommodation: mobile homes, camping pitches and tent lodges. Our mobile homes can accommodate up to 6 people. They include 2 bedrooms (master bedroom and children’s bedroom), a bathroom, a fully-equipped kitchen, a dining area and a terrace overlooking the park.

If you prefer a more unusual type of accommodation, book our lodge tent (sleeps 2) or our Coco Sweet (sleeps 4). These cosy, charming rentals offer rudimentary comfort (no toilet or bathroom). Do you prefer traditional camping and spending the night in a tent or camper van? Set off on a camping pitch surrounded by nature.

In the vicinity of your rental near the Payolle lake, you’ll find our quality infrastructures and services: heated swimming pool, bowling green, children’s playground, table tennis, table soccer, laundry, bar…

Would you like to book your rental near Payolle lake or do you need more information about our campsite? Book your stay of a week or more on our website or contact us on 05 62 91 74 04.

Enjoy a vacation near the Lac de Payolle and enjoy outdoor activities in this beautiful part of France!