Top 7 Wild Swimming Spots in the Hérault Department

Here are my top 7 wild swimming spots – which means unsupervised swimming spots - in the Hérault department

Summers in the South of France are warm and sunny with endless blue skies pretty much all the time. So, you definitely need a place where you can cool down. Of course, there is the 'grand bleu', as the French call the Mediterranean Sea. But inland, you will also find many gorgeous natural swimming spots. Rivers, rock pools, lakes, Languedoc-Roussillon has it all! Before I share my secret hideaways, a few words of advice: wild means natural and beautiful, so please respect these places and take your litter with you. Also, most of these spots are unsupervised, so swimming is at your own risk and responsibility. And now: here are my top 7 wild swimming spots in the Hérault department.

1. Gorges d'Héric

The classified site of the Gorges d'Héric in the 'Parc Naturel Régional du Haut-Languedoc' is always well worth a visit. In summer, it's perfect for a dip in the Orb River and the naturally formed rock pools. Only for the brave though, because the water is cold as ice, even when the weather is hot! If you would like to visit this magical place, drive in the direction of Mons-la-Trivalle. Follow the signs to the Gorges d'Héric to find a parking lot (3.50 euros between mid-April and mid-September) from where you can reach the gorges (the only way is up). In the parking lot, you will also find a 'buvette' – La Cabane d'Héric - where you can have a drink or buy snacks, and they even organise concerts. La Cabane d'Héric closes in low season; please keep this in mind as there is nothing to buy after this point.

2. Gorges de Colombières

These beautiful gorges are not very far from the more famous Gorges d'Héric, as mentioned above. However, somehow the Gorges de Colombières are less frequented, which is weird because this is an equally gorgeous spot with stunning landscapes. Despite the name of the village- Colombières-sur-Orb- it is actually the Arles streamlet that flows through the Gorges de Colombières. The terrain is also rougher than the Gorges d'Héric, which might explain why fewer people visit it. You can park your car for free behind the Mairie of Colombières-sur-Orb. From here, you can access several hikes as well as the Gorges de Colombières and the nearby bar (up the path). Climbing the larger rocks behind this bar will lead you to the gorge. The incredible naturally formed pools with crystal clear water are perfect for swimming. In some places, the water even has a sparkling emerald green colour!

3. Lac du Salagou

If you want to wind down in a stunning landscape, the Lac du Salagou is where you should go. This artificial water reservoir was built in the sixties to irrigate the surrounding agricultural fields. Because of the red earth around the lake, the landscape is often compared to the Arizona desert in the USA. In France! The scenic surroundings of the lake invite you to marvel at this surreal environment. Peacefully, with a simple stroll or picnic on the shore, or more actively by practicing one of a wide range of sports. Swimming of course, but also hiking, cycling, sailing, canoeing, and surfing, to name just a few. At the 'Base de Plein Air' just outside of the village of Liausson, you will find all the rental equipment you need and a small restaurant with snacks. For safety reasons, avoid swimming at the barrage (dam) and the La Sure area!

4. Roquebrun

Picture this: taking a dip in the refreshing Orb River with the scenic picture-postcard view of Roquebrun in the background. The family and I love to go here to escape the crowds on the beach. When the kids were small, Chéri and I relaxed while they caught our evening meal. Not really, the fish were very tiny, but it kept the kids busy for ages, together with building dams with the many rocks. Do bring your water shoes to protect your feet from all the stones. When arriving from Cessenon-sur-Orb, you can reach the pebbled beach by turning right just before the bridge to Roquebrun. Parking your car here costs a few euros during the high season, and you can buy an ice cream and some drinks. On the left side of the bridge, at Canoe Roquebrun, you can rent out canoes and stand-up paddleboards (sups).

5. Pont du Diable

Near one of the oldest bridges of France, you will also find a really cool swimming place. The Pont du Diable- built in 1031- crosses one of the most important rivers in the Massif Central and Languedoc region: the Hérault. On one side of the bridge, you will have a breathtaking view of the Gorges d'Hérault. The other side has a natural pool with a pebbled beach, so bring your water shoes. Be careful when swimming into the gorge, as the young and reckless tend to jump off the old bridge and even the higher new bridge next to it (which is mortally dangerous). From April to October, you can park your car for 4 to 8 euros at the Maison du Grand Site at the Pont du Diable. From there, it is a short walk to the beach at the lake.

6. Lac de la Raviège

The beautiful and serene Lac de la Raviège spreads out over the two departments of Hérault and Tarn and is the biggest lake in the Haut Languedoc with a surface area of 410 hectares. The Lac de la Raviège was created in the 1950s as a hydroelectric power reservoir. However, you would never guess that it's an artificial lake, as today it fits in perfectly with the landscape of surrounding pine trees. I thought the frame of evergreens even had a Norwegian feel to it. Lac de la Raviège is about 12 kilometres long, and its main nautical base is at Plage de Bouldouïres near the village of La Salvetat-sur-Agoût. It's a very inviting place to practice all kinds of water sports, like stand-up paddling, sailing boats, surfboards, pedalos, water skis and kayaks. We rented a small motorboat to cruise the lake, which was great fun too.

7. Lac de Jouarres

Right on the border of the Aude and Hérault departments lies the pleasant Lac de Jouarres. The lake is officially part of the community of Homps in the Hérault, but the most important part of this lake is in the Aude. It doesn't matter though, as you will find refreshment in the cool water regardless of which department you're in! The pebbled beach and grassy shore invite you to spread your towel and cool down by this delightful lake. The Lac de Jouarres is a reasonably sized lake, neither too big nor too small. A walk around the lake is only 5 kilometres long. Alternatively, you can rent a boat, stand-up paddleboard, windsurfing board, pedalo, or canoe at the Club Nautique to enhance your water enjoyment. During July and August, a lifeguard monitors swimming in the lake, and there is also a small restaurant.

Good to Know

There are many wild swimming spots in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, I only share the ones we love the most. Unfortunately, some people don't respect these special hideaways, causing nuisance and using the shores as their private waste disposal. I'm sure that my dear readers are not part of this group of nitwits and will love and respect them like we do. Please keep in mind that most of these swimming spots are not supervised, so swimming is at your own risk. If there are lifeguard monitors, they are only present during the high season. As most of the beaches have rough pebbles, water shoes are a must. Also, it is advisable to bring your own picnic and sufficient water to drink, along with sun protection.