Lac de Vassivière

Lac de Vassivière is an artificial reservoir in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France, straddling parts of the Creuse and Haute-Vienne departments. It was created in the mid-20th century and is notable for its size within the Limousin area.

The lake offers sandy beaches, sailing, canoeing and cycling routes around its shoreline. A prominent feature is the large island in the lake, which hosts a contemporary art centre and an outdoor sculpture park that attract cultural as well as outdoor visitors.

Construction of the reservoir took place in the 1950s to regulate flows and support regional water and power needs; the lake has since been developed for tourism and recreation.

The lake sits on the Plateau de Millevaches in the Massif Central area of central France, within the broader Limousin region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

• Scale: The lake covers roughly ten square kilometres and is one of the largest artificial lakes in metropolitan France.

What to See #

• Dam and reservoir: A low dam and reservoir infrastructure created in the mid-20th century to regulate rivers and support local water management and power generation; the dam forms the lake that visitors use for recreation.
• Île de Vassivière: A large island on the lake that hosts a centre for contemporary art and an outdoor sculpture trail, serving as a cultural focal point for visitors.