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Lac de la Cavayère is an artificial lake in the Languedoc-Roussillon région of France, close to the mediaeval town of Carcassonne.

The lake, also known as Carcassonne Plage (in English, Carcassonne Beach), was created by the building of a 23 metre high dam in 1988 after severe forest fires affected the area in 1985. The surface area of the lake, which is fed by the creeks of Montirat, Bazalac and Mitgé, is 180,000 m² and it is 1.5 million cubic metres in volume.

It is a short distance from the town of Carcassonne and has been made into a popular recreation area. The lake has good beaches and quiet inlets. Ducks and wildfowl are common and the 400,000 m² surrounding area is notable for a diversity of habitats, flora and fauna.

The beaches slope gently and there are well supervised bathing areas. Boats are available for rent and there are picnic areas and a crazy golf course as well as a nearby chateau.

Located near the Medieval City's sensitive boundaries, in a natural environment, the lake shelters an abundance of

mediterranean vegetation spread over 40 hectares and fills the vales of three waterways (the creeks of Bazalac, Mitgé,

Montirat), hence its distinctive configuration.

A place for outdoor activities - Forestry Adventure Park, mountain biking, rowing, orienteering, hiking, miniature golf.

A place for walks - A foot path takes you around the Lake.

If you walk all the way around the lake (in about an hour) you'll discover a wide variety of landscapes and environmental conditions, from freshness to aridity, from woods to wastelands, from shadow to full light. You'll notice this region's three dominating hues: blue, green and ochre. In the middle of the lake, you'll see a bird's island used for the nesting of ducks and other aquatic species.

The lake of la Cavayère is not just for taking a stroll. It is also a health resort, an amusement park, a place where adults and children can have fun, a special place where you can relax within a stone's throw from Carcassonne.

A place for sunbathing - 3 beaches with supervised swimming. With its picnic areas, children's games, water sports, sandy beaches and grassy edges, fishing, and the ideal place for walking, this lake is a true haven of peace, freshness and delight.