Lac de l'Aréna

Lac de l'Aréna is a man-made lake in the commune of Roquebrune-sur-Argens, in the Var department, sitting at the foot of the Rocher de Roquebrune between Fréjus and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Once a working gravel quarry, it has become one of the region's most popular outdoor destinations, valued equally for its wildlife and its watersports.

Where did the lake come from?

The site was quarried for sand and gravel by the Perrin family business, which began operations there in 1962. Aggregate dredged from the nearby Basses Roques pit was shipped downriver, and dozens of workers handled extraction, sifting and washing of the material, using both open-pit methods and a dredger working underwater. The quarry closed in the late 1980s, after which the abandoned pit filled with water from the Argens river, forming the roughly 30-hectare lake seen today.

What is there to see and do around the lake?

The lake now serves two purposes at once: nature reserve and recreation ground. Its western shore, lined with reed beds, gives shelter to nesting waterbirds and provides spawning grounds for fish, while the sandy banks are used by European bee-eaters to dig their nesting burrows. These features have earned the site Natura 2000 protected status.

From May to September, a watersports base operates on the lake, with room for up to 1,500 visitors at a time. It includes a 3,000-square-metre floating inflatable park with more than 250 structures, an XXL slide and an obstacle course graded for different skill levels. Visitors can also try water-skiing, windsurfing and pedal boating.

Can you walk around the lake?

A 3.5-kilometre footpath circles the lake, taking around an hour and a quarter to complete. The full loop opened in 2023, once the last stretch of the trail was finished. The path is flat and smooth enough to be covered with an all-terrain stroller, making it a straightforward outing for families.

Does the lake host events?

In summer the lake doubles as a concert venue: a temporary floating stage is set up on the water for evening shows mixing French chanson, pop and electronic music.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Lac de l'Aréna? In the commune of Roquebrune-sur-Argens, Var department, at the foot of the Rocher de Roquebrune, between Fréjus and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.

Is the lake natural? No — it is an artificial lake created when the Argens river flooded a former gravel quarry that operated from 1962 until the late 1980s.

How big is the lake? Around 30 hectares.

Can you swim and do watersports there? Yes, a supervised watersports base runs from May to September, with an inflatable park and rental equipment for water-skiing, windsurfing, kayaking and pedal boats.

Is there a walking trail around the lake? Yes, a 3.5-km loop (about 1 hour 15 minutes) fully opened in 2023 and suitable for all-terrain strollers.