Lac de Montbel
Encyclopedia
The Lac de Montbel is a reservoir 5 minutes from Chalabre
, which is a popular location for watersports and swimming. It is located at Sainte-Colombe-sur-l'Hers
on the border between the Ariège
and Aude
départements of southwestern France
.
The flooded hillsides are still evident when the water level drops, revealing tree stumps and the thick sticky clay (marl
) so typical of the Ariège. On quiet hot summer days the water takes on a beautiful turquoise colour which is very photogenic.
The area is relatively undeveloped and quiet and privacy are a great attraction. The mountains of the Pyrenees
are visible in the background.
Other lakes for swimming near Montbel include Lac de la Cavayère
and a smaller one at Pradelles-Cabardès
.
The dam which created the reservoir was built between 1982 and 1985.
Chalabre
Chalabre is a commune in the Aude department in southern France.The capital of the Kercorb is a relatively unspoilt bastide with shady streets and quiet alleyways....
, which is a popular location for watersports and swimming. It is located at Sainte-Colombe-sur-l'Hers
Sainte-Colombe-sur-l'Hers
Sainte-Colombe-sur-l'Hers is a commune in the Aude department in southern France.-Population:-References:*...
on the border between the Ariège
Ariège
Ariège is a department in southwestern France named after the Ariège River.- History :Ariège is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on 4 March 1790. It was created from the counties of Foix and Couserans....
and Aude
Aude
Aude is a department in south-central France named after the river Aude. The local council also calls the department "Cathar Country".Aude is also a frequent feminine French given name in Francophone countries, deriving initially from Aude or Oda, a wife of Bertrand, Duke of Aquitaine, and mother...
départements of southwestern France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
The flooded hillsides are still evident when the water level drops, revealing tree stumps and the thick sticky clay (marl
Marl
Marl or marlstone is a calcium carbonate or lime-rich mud or mudstone which contains variable amounts of clays and aragonite. Marl was originally an old term loosely applied to a variety of materials, most of which occur as loose, earthy deposits consisting chiefly of an intimate mixture of clay...
) so typical of the Ariège. On quiet hot summer days the water takes on a beautiful turquoise colour which is very photogenic.
The area is relatively undeveloped and quiet and privacy are a great attraction. The mountains of the Pyrenees
Pyrenees
The Pyrenees is a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain...
are visible in the background.
Other lakes for swimming near Montbel include Lac de la Cavayère
Lac de la Cavayère
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 , was created by the building of a 23 metre high dam in 1988 after severe forest fires affected the area in 1985...
and a smaller one at Pradelles-Cabardès
Pradelles-Cabardès
Pradelles-Cabardès is a commune in the Aude department in southern France.-Geography:It lies at the foot of the Pic de Nore.There is a small reservoir, called Lac de Pradelles.-Population:-Economy:...
.
The dam which created the reservoir was built between 1982 and 1985.