Gour de Tazenat
Lake Maars-formed volcanic lake in Auvergne region
A circular volcanic crater lake in Auvergne, Gour de Tazenat offers clear deep water, a steep rim, short walking trails and picnic spots that illustrate the region’s explosive volcanic history.
Gour de Tazenat is a circular volcanic crater lake (maar) located in the Auvergne region of central France. The feature is notable for its roughly circular shoreline and steep crater walls.
The lake occupies a volcanic explosion crater and is one of several small volcanic landforms in the Chaîne des Puys / Massif Central area. It is visited for its geological interest and local recreational use.
The crater formed during volcanic activity in the regional volcanic field; since formation it has filled with water to create the present lake. The site is part of the wider volcanic landscape of Auvergne.
Gour de Tazenat sits in the Puy-de-Dôme department of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in central France, within a rural volcanic district of the Massif Central.
- Volcanic origin: A volcanic maar - a circular crater lake formed by explosive volcanic activity
Tips for Visiting Gour de Tazenat #
- Go early in the morning to enjoy calm water reflections and to avoid the short but noticeable weekend crowds-the small parking area fills quickly on sunny days.
- Walk the full rim path around the maar for the best perspectives; the viewpoint from the rim gives a much better sense of the crater's shape and depth than the lakeshore alone, and interpretive signs near the car park explain the crater's volcanic origin.
- Visit on a weekday or outside peak summer hours if you prefer privacy-Gour de Tazenat is a compact site, so short visits can feel crowded when many people arrive at once.
Best Time to Visit Gour de Tazenat #
Visit late spring through summer for the warmest, most comfortable conditions to explore the volcanic lake and nearby trails.
Weather & Climate near Gour de Tazenat #
Gour de Tazenat's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (743 mm/year).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 7°C. The wettest month with 89 mm of rain.
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June
June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm).
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July
July is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm).
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August
August is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm).
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