Salagou Lake: Africa just 1 hour from Montpellier

Having seen it with our own eyes, Salagou Lake is one of those incredible natural sites in France that takes us on a trip around the world, without the need to take a plane. Like us, you'll be stunned by the extraordinary palette of colours that make up this lake surrounded by red rocks, immediately reminding us of Africa and its wild lands.

This vast artificial reservoir was created some fifty years ago by the Regional Council, with the aim of creating a dam to irrigate the surrounding crops and regulate the flooding of the Salagou river, which flows into the Hérault. With a depth of around 50 metres and a surface area of 7 square kilometres, and a water level at an altitude of 139 m, the Salagou Lake has been classified as a Natura 2000 site, and in just a few years has become a picturesque tourist attraction, one of the most popular in the département.

It's true that the first time you go to Salagou, you don't expect to come across this extraordinary scenery! We already knew about the Ochres de Rustrel, the Colorado of Provence, and now we've fallen under the spell of this little piece of Africa in the south of France.

The fantastic colours of these hills are the result of a combination of geological phenomena. First of all, there are the "ruffes", the clayey rock containing iron oxide that gives the hills their red colour. Then there's basalt, a volcanic rock that gives the black colour a perfect match for the blue of the lake and sky.

It's no secret that the weather in the South of France is fine all year round. So it was under a blazing sun that we were able to try out some outdoor activities in the heart of a setting that is unique in France. The programme for an afternoon on the shores of Lac de Salagou included hiking along the trails around the lake, quad biking and mountain biking on 17 signposted circuits, as well as horse riding and paragliding for thrill-seekers!

Orienteering races with fun riddles and treasure hunts are also organised by the Lac du Salagou leisure centre. As well as authorised swimming, you can try your hand at a range of water sports on the lake, including canoeing, sailing, paddle-boarding, pedal-boating, catamaran trips and the ultimate relaxing activity, fishing from a boat.

⭐ Camping Salagou lac

Covering 750 hectares, Lac du Salagou stretches across the communes of Clermont l'Hérault, Liausson, Celles and Octon. The ideal place to stay is on the shores of the lake, at Mas de Riri or Camping Salagou lac. Situated directly on the banks of the Salagou, the latter offers bungalows with terraces offering uninterrupted views over the lake.