10 best rivers & lakes for Wild swimming in South of France in 2026

3.) Wild swimming in Provence France - Gorges de Toulourenc

The Gorges de Toulourenc, is located below Mont Ventoux, close to the villages of Bèdoin and Malaucène in Provence. The small river that runs through the Gorges de Toulourenc provides really refreshing crystal clear water. This is an ideal place to go wild swimming in Provence - surrounded by beautiful scenery and lots of places where you can scramble up on the rocks and jump into the water.

The Gorges de Toulourenc is fed by the snow melt waters of Mont Ventoux and slowly meanders across thirty kilometres to the Ouvèze river. Some of the best places for swimming are located just north of the small hamlet of Veaux and close to the villages of Entrechaux and Saint-Léger-du-Ventoux. Also take a detour to the stunning villages of Brantes and Savoillans, both of which provide unobstructed views of the Mont Ventoux. 

4.) Best swimming lakes in South France - Lac du Salagou

Lake Salagou is like marmite, you either love it or you can't see what all the fuss is all about. Personally, I am in the latter category. I just don't get it. But lots of people adore Salagou, especially our French customers. People come and spend their holidays nearby. Indeed the teacher of my eldest son even wrote a song about Salgou! It is a good spot for windsurfing and sailing and there is a good half day cycle trail around the shore. It is also the scene of a lot of Triathalon competitions. I think that the best place to base yourself is on the Octon side of the lake (the opposite direction to Clermont l'Herault).

To me the Lac de Salagou is just a big reservoir. I think part of the issue for me with Salagou is it brings back the painful memories of being taken out by my cycling buddies for ". . . a short mountain bike trail around the lake . . . it is mainly flat . . .". 3.5 hours later and with no feeling left in my buttocks, I begged to differ. Hence, that was the last time my cycling mates saw me in Lycra.

There are also a couple of small beaches, which are ideal for swimming in the lake. The bright red rocks and the dark blue water of the lake makes for an amazing contrast.

You will find Lake Salagou close to the town of Clermont d'Herault, just off the A75. The best location on the lake is close to the village of Octon, on the Western edge.

5.) Swimming lakes in France - Pont du Diable

This is one of my favourite spots in South France. Just below the lovely village of St Guilhem le Desert, the river Herault has been partially dammed forming a small lake. When it is 40°C in the South of France, then the fresh water of Herault River is a welcome relief. We still go up to the Pont du Diable with the boys, even now they are all grown up. We have some very fond memories of the place. From the banks of the lake you can take out a canoe and paddle up the ravine under the Pont du Diable. You just need to be careful to avoid the crazy teenagers hurling themselves 30 foot down off the small road bridge into the river below. 

The bridge dates back over 900 years and originally was built by monks from the nearby monasteries at Aniane and St Guilhem le Desert.

In the last few years a lot of money has been spent developing the surrounding area, including providing a large car park, a lovely visitor centre (where you can grab a cool beer and ice cream) and a life guard look out post. We like to get to the lake for mid-afternoon and then head up to St Guilhem around 8.00pm for a Pizza in the square above the village. There tends to be less tourists around in the evening and it is nice and cool to stroll around the old streets - it really is an amazing spot.

The Pont du Diable is located 35kms north-west of Montpellier on the D27 between the villages of Aniane and St Guilhem le Desert. The nearest landmark is the Grotte de Clamouse underground cave centre.  

This is one of my favourite spots in South France and we still take friends and family here when they are over for a visit. This was another life-saver for us during our first year of renting in France. 

6.) River swimming South of France - St Jean du Gard

On the River Gardon in between the towns of St Jean du Gard and Anduze, close to the village of Mialet, you will find a wonderful stone bridge - which legend has it was designed by Gustave Eiffel (of the Paris Tower fame). Unfortunately, the actual truth is a bit less dramatic. The bridge was actually designed by François Bataille and took 2 years to construct and was completed in 1900. Bataille did have some dealings with Eiffel and he studied his work intensively (which is where the story about his involvement may have come about).

Even during the summer, the river never gets too busy and it is a great spot to cool down. The river is not too deep or fast flowing, so it is perfect for younger children. You will find a couple of river beaches where you can set up a picnic.

The Abarines bridge is located on the edge of the Lozere and Gard departments in South France. To reach the bridge, take the D50 road from Anduze (direction St Jean du Gard). About 5 kms after the village of Mialet, the road takes a sharp left turn over the River Gardon and here you will find the bridge.

There are some parking spots by the edge of the road on the far side of the bridge. The scramble down over the rocks is a bit tricky in places, but there is also a well worn path.  I would certainly advise you to wander back into Anduze after a day on the river. It is a very pretty town further down the Gardon River and there are plenty of places to grab something to eat. The fabulous Bamboo Gardens are located in Anduze (see Bambouseraie Bamboo Gardens). 

7.) Places for swimming South of France - Roquebrun, Languedoc

Roquebrun, Haut Languedoc National Park, Herault, South France [Photo courtesy of www.instagram.com/occitanietourisme]Roquebrun is one of the prettiest villages in Languedoc. Perched on the edge of the River Orb and framed by a giant rocky spur behind, Roquebrun is a great place to spend an afternoon. The river is slow-flowing and there is a little weir that you can slide down (our kids normally go down head first, but there again they are mad little buggers!!).

Roquebrun is located close to Saint Chinian, 25mins north-west of Beziers.

8.) Wild swimming in France - Vallon Pont d'Arc du Ardeche

The Vallon Pont d'Arc on the Ardeche river is an instantly recognizable landmark. This 30m high rocky arch which has been eroded out by the river from the rock provides an excellent base for canoeing, swimming and a river-side picnic. But be careful, the river is quite fast flowing and full of rocks.

When we visited the Pont d'Arc, our boys really wanted to canoe down the river and under the arch. But, we arrived too late to hire a canoe. And I tell you what, were we later glad that we didn't. Our boys were quite small back then, so we took them for an ice cream down by the beach near the Pont d'Arc. To say it was a scene of carnage is an understatement. It literally was like white water rafting. All you could see was paddles floating downstream, upturned canoes, people floating past with life jackets on or clinging to rocks. It certainly wasn't the quiet paddle down the river that we were hoping for. Still the adrenalin junkies will love it. 

Vallon Pont d'Arc is located 1 hour north-west of the small city of Orange in the Ardeche department, and close to the town of Vallon.

9.) Swimming in waterfalls France - Gorges d'Heric

Well I say waterfalls. You will only really find these active in the winter (when you would have to be deranged to consider swimming in the river). In the summer, the waterfalls give way to little rock pools that are perfect for swimming in. Some of the pools are deep enough for jumping in from the nearby rocks (although for diving please see comments in relation to swimming in the river in winter!!).

The Gorge is a great spot if you want to cool down in the summer and especially if you want to tire out your kids. After a day spent scrambling up and down rocks, they will sleep like Pandas on the way home.

The Gorges d'Heric is located in the heart of the Languedoc National Park, close to the town of Lamalou-les-Bains and in between the villages of Le Poujol sur Orb and Olargues on the D908. There is a car park at the bottom of the Gorge (near the village of Mons-la-Trivalle). 

10.) Wild swimming in Cote d'Azur France - Le Pont du Loup

Gorges du Loup South France [Photo courtesy of www.instagram.com/rodcharlot/]Le Pont du Loup is located close to the village of Le Bar sur Loup, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region close to the town of Grasse (the perfume capital of France). The river Loup is actually quite a long river. It flows down from the Montagne de l'Audibergue in the Alpes-Maritimes heads on down to the Mediterranean sea at Cagnes-sur-Mer, close to Nice. The Gorges de Loup is a very pretty part of the river. During the winter the water level is very high, but during July and August, the water recedes and offers plenty of places for swimming and jumping in off the rocks.

There was a famous Viaduct, which was built to enable trains to crosses the valley (hence the name Pont du Loup). But this was destroyed during Second World War. The medieval bridge still stands. 

Where to next . . . ?

If you are visiting the South of France this summer, then get the inside track on the best Places to see & visit in the South of France in 2026 (written by people who live in Southern France all year around). Read about the best restaurants to eat at, get local information on the best beaches to visit and discover the best tourist sites, markets and festivals to see during your stay.

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