Swimming spots

The village of Castelnau-Magnoac may be world-renowned for its rugby, but the locals know it best for its particularly well-developed lake. Kayaks, paddles and pedalos can be hired from the water sports centre. In the afternoons, lifeguards sit on their chairs to supervise the only lake in the Pyrenees where swimming is permitted. A wide sandy beach, picnic tables, barbecues and a fitness trail round off the facilities. The site ticks all the boxes for enjoying a sunny day out, with the added bonus of a panoramic view of the Pyrenees.

In the heart of a green setting, 800m2 have been laid out for bathing in water filtered naturally by plants, without chlorine or chemicals. Three levels of depth, from 25cm to 2m, make the pool suitable for all the family, including people with reduced mobility, who have access to the pool via a special ramp. Around the pool, there are large areas for sunbathing or shading under a parasol, picnic areas, a children’s play area and a beach volleyball court. To liven up the site, the Ôcybelles organise aquagym classes and pool parties on Sunday afternoons with a DJ, bar and tapas.

As soon as the sun starts to warm up, the sound of children’s laughter and cries can be heard on the shores of Lake Génos-Loudenvielle. Ludéo welcomes families to a world of water games with a view of the peaks. Toddlers can splash around in the paddling pool with its dedicated slide, while older children can slide down a 70m slide or race down one of the five lanes of the pentagliss, a kind of straight slide that encourages speed. Parents can relax in the spa, before the whole family meets up for lunch on the snack bar terrace or at the picnic area.

Overlooking the summits of the Gavarnie valleys, the Lau Folies centre in Lau-Balagnas combines aquatic activities, sport and fitness. While the indoor pool offers aquabike, aquagym, aquajogging and aquakids sessions in water heated to 30°C, outside there are four slides for children to enjoy, including the Kamikaze, an 8-metre-high vertical slide. Two other pools complete the site, one for swimming with its five lanes and the other with water games and a paddling pool for the little ones. There are sun loungers, a chip shack and picnic tables where you can take a meal break and enjoy the site all day long. And the more sporty can get their exercise on one of the four padel courts.