Discover the Tarn: top places to visit and things to do around the campsite
What if your vacation was also an opportunity to fall in love with a region? Exploring the Tarn from our campsite opposite Lac du Laouzas means being surprised at every turn. Mountain lakes, hilltop villages, wild gorges, exceptional historical heritage… Tourism in the Tarn offers a rare palette of experiences, between authenticity, preserved nature and generous gastronomy. From Nages and Lac du Laouzas, you’re ideally placed to discover the region, at the crossroads of the Tarn, Hérault and Aveyron.
The most beautiful towns and villages in the Tarn
Visiting the Tarn is all about letting yourself be carried from village to village, along cobbled streets and lively markets. Just a few kilometers from the campsite, Lacaune is a must-see: the charcuterie capital of the Midi-Pyrénées, it is home to the famous Maison Oberti, whose workshop is open to visitors, as well as a craft brewery in Nages. Further afield, La Salvetat-sur-Agout, famous for its sparkling water, and Olargues, one of France’s most beautiful villages, will seduce you with their unspoilt charm. Nages, on the shores of Lac du Laouzas, has its own tourist office just a 10-minute walk from the campsite.
For lovers of great history, Albi and its Episcopal city, a Unesco World Heritage site, Castres and its colorful facades on the banks of the Agout, or Minerve and Cordes-sur-Ciel, a medieval city perched in the clouds, are well worth a visit. We also recommend a visit to Mazamet and the Montagne Noire, while the vineyards of Gaillac and its sun-drenched terraces complete this portrait of a Tarn as diverse as it is endearing. A shuttle service to Lacaune is available from the campsite in July and August.
Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park
Classified and protected, the Parc naturel régional du Haut-Languedoc covers more than 260,000 hectares between the Tarn and Hérault regions. It’s one of the largest regional nature parks in southern France, and Les Rives du Lac campsite lies at the heart of this exceptional territory. Beech and fir forests, high moors, crystal-clear rivers, unspoilt peat bogs: the biodiversity is remarkable, and the landscapes change with the seasons.
The park offers an ideal setting for discovering the Tarn in a different way, away from the beaten track. The Monts de Lacaune, which extend the Sidobre plateau, are an integral part of this territory. Numerous signposted hiking trails allow you to explore this forested environment, dotted with astonishing granite boulders, some of which can weigh several hundred tonnes. Local tourist offices will be happy to guide you and tell you all about the legends and traditions that mark these lands. To find out more, visit the Tarn Tourisme website.
Must-see sites to explore
The area around Lac du Laouzas abounds in natural and heritage sites not to be missed. Among the must-sees, the Sidobre and its improbably shaped granite rocks fascinate young and old alike, a geological spectacle unique in Europe. The wild Héric gorges offer a spectacular hike along a torrent in the heart of the Caroux massif. Lac de la Raviège, the neighboring lake to Laouzas, and the other lakes in the Parc naturel régional du Haut-Languedoc complete this picture of open, unspoilt landscapes.
A stone’s throw to the east, the Tarn gorges offer one of the most breathtaking panoramas in the Massif Central, while the famous Roquefort caves, less than an hour’s drive away, invite you to discover the secrets behind the making of the king of cheeses. Two excursions you’ll want to add to your holiday itinerary in and around the Tarn.
For history buffs, the Musée de la Vie Paysanne and the Musée de Payrac in Nages plunge you into the region’s rural and artisan roots. Medieval remains, Romanesque churches and picturesque villages dot the roads of the Haut-Languedoc.
Things to do in the Tarn around the campsite
Between lake, mountains and wilderness, there’s no shortage of activities around Les Rives du Lac. Here’s a glimpse of what’s waiting for you to discover the Tarn to the full, according to your desires.
Swimming pool and water sports activities just a stone’s throw from the campsite
The Lac du Laouzas leisure park is a 10-minute walk from the campsite. In high season, it offers paddle, canoe, kayak, pedal boat and no-licence boats, as well as a free heated swimming pool 400 m away. A sailing school is just 300 m away. The supervised beach offers safe swimming in an unspoilt natural setting.
Ideal campsite for fishing in the Tarn
Lac du Laouzas is a well-known spot for predator fishing (pike, perch, pike-perch…), available from May to January. The campsite has fishing facilities, and you can bring your own tackle. A boat launch is available on site. The Lacaune mountains are also criss-crossed with fish-filled streams, ideal for lovers of whitewater fishing and absolute peace and quiet.
The Monts de Lacaune, a hiker’s paradise
The Monts de Lacaune are an ideal destination for nature lovers and hikers eager to explore the wilderness. They offer a dense network of marked trails accessible to all levels, starting from the campsite.
Highlights include a hike around Lac du Laouzas, the Belpespré peninsula and a climb up Montalet.
In autumn, our outings are tinged with color and fragrance: mushroom picking, chestnuts, blueberries and elderberries punctuate our forest walks. The Monts de Lacaune are described as a genuine mountain-biking area by Tarn Tourisme.
Finally, hiking in the Monts de Lacaune is an ideal way to discover local gastronomy and crafts. The know-how of the people, their history and their terroir are expressed through a wide range of products: hams, sausages, melsat, bougnette, boudin…
Other sports and outdoor activities near the campsite
The area around Lac du Laouzas is full of sporting activities to suit all tastes. Mountain biking on the Monts de Lacaune trails, horseback riding with the region’s riding schools, climbing and hiking (cani-rando, rando trottinette) are all accessible from the campsite. Local guides and partners are available to organize your outings. For sporting and cultural events, check thecalendar of events at the tourist office.
Find out more about our lakeside campsite