Lac de Puydarrieux

Lac de Puydarrieux is a man-made reservoir in the north-eastern part of the Hautes-Pyrénées department in southwestern France, straddling the communes of Puydarrieux and Campuzan, roughly fifteen kilometres north of Lannemezan. Built in 1987 on land once covered by an oak forest, it spans around 220 hectares and holds up to 14 million cubic metres of water. The lake is part of the Neste hydraulic system and was originally designed for irrigation, river flow support during dry spells, and drinking-water supply. Over time it has become known above all as one of France's premier birdwatching sites.

Why is this lake so important for birds?

Calm water, abundant food, and surrounding farmland have turned Lac de Puydarrieux into a major stopover on migratory routes. Close to 240 bird species have been recorded here, placing it among France's top ornithological sites, ranked third for migratory bird passage behind Lac du Der in Champagne and the Arjuzanx reserve in the Landes. Since 1989 the lake has held official status as a hunting and wildlife reserve under a ministerial decree, and in 2006 it was added to the European Natura 2000 network under the Birds Directive. Rare visitors recorded at the site include the white-tailed eagle, pink-footed goose, sociable lapwing, and golden eagle.

What birds can you see in winter?

The lake's best-known residents are its wintering common cranes. The first cranes settled on the shores of Puydarrieux in 1989, and the wintering population has grown steadily ever since. Each winter, from November to February, between roughly two and three thousand cranes arriving from Scandinavia stop here. Alongside them, visitors can spot great cormorants, gulls, lapwings, wild geese, ducks, and red kites circling overhead. Daily bird counts are carried out by the Hautes-Pyrénées departmental council's monitoring team, and the site takes part in the national crane-tracking network coordinated by the LPO (Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux).

How can you explore the lake?

Five observation points have been set up around the reservoir, including covered hides that keep visitors out of the birds' sight so wildlife behaves naturally. Along the southern shore, an interpretive trail features information panels covering local bird species, the history of the lake's creation, how the Neste water system works, and how the surrounding landscape has changed over time. A hardened 850-metre section with regular benches is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility. Four car parks and shaded picnic spots are available on site.

When is the best time to visit?

Crane-watching season runs from October to mid-February. During this period, guided ornithological walks are organised by prior booking, and every Friday afternoon from 3:30 pm until dusk a free observation session is open to everyone without reservation. Outside the winter season, guided walks can still be arranged by appointment.

Frequently asked questions

Is Lac de Puydarrieux a natural lake? No, it is an artificial reservoir created in 1987 for irrigation, river-flow support, and drinking-water supply.

How many cranes winter at the lake? Roughly two to three thousand common cranes stop here each winter, between November and February.

Is there an entrance fee? The Friday afternoon observation sessions are free and open without booking; themed ornithological walks require advance registration.

Is the trail wheelchair accessible? Yes, an 850-metre hardened path along the southern shore is designed for visitors with reduced mobility.

What protected status does the lake have? It has been a hunting and wildlife reserve since 1989, and since 2006 it has formed part of the Natura 2000 network as a Birds Directive protected area.