Lac de Ribou

Lac de Ribou is an artificial lake about 4 km southeast of Cholet, spanning the boundary of the Cholet, La Tessoualle, Maulévrier and Mazières-en-Mauges municipalities in the Maine-et-Loire department of western France. Formed on the Moine river and the Trézon stream by a dam built in La Tessoualle, it has become one of the main outdoor destinations for the Choletais area.

How did the lake come to exist?

The lake is not natural — it exists because of the Ribou dam (also known as the Moulin-Ribou dam), built between 1955 and 1957 to secure a drinking-water supply for Cholet. The reservoir basin was filled in 1958. Before that, the town relied on wells between Cholet and Puy-Saint-Bonnet that could no longer keep up with a growing population. The dam itself is 162 metres long and 15 metres high, built as an arch (vault-type) structure. It still serves its original purpose today, supplying drinking water to Cholet as well as to La Tessoualle, Le Puy-Saint-Bonnet and Saint-Christophe-du-Bois.

How big is Lac de Ribou?

The lake covers roughly 80 hectares and holds an estimated 3.2 million cubic metres of water. It is modest in scale compared with France's large natural lakes, but combined with the surrounding woods and meadows it forms a landscape that has turned into a genuine local attraction rather than just a piece of water infrastructure.

What can visitors do at the lake?

A year-round leisure complex has grown up around the shoreline. Water-sports fans can try windsurfing, sailing and canoeing, while on dry land there are tennis courts and an archery range. The site draws both Cholet residents looking for an afternoon out and travellers spending a longer stay in the region.

Where can you swim?

Supervised sandy beaches operate along the shore in summer, with dedicated swimming areas and play zones for children. Dogs are welcome on the site too, which sets Lac de Ribou apart from many other French bathing spots that restrict pets.

Is there a trail around the lake?

Since February 2020, an 11 km signposted footpath called "La Ribou'cle" has circled the entire lake. Walking the full loop takes about 2 hours and 50 minutes and gives a changing view of the water, from wooded stretches to the top of the dam itself.

Where can you stay nearby?

A campsite right on the lakeshore, Camping Lac de Ribou, offers tent pitches, mobile homes and gîtes alongside a heated pool complex with water slides. It makes a convenient base for families and for anyone wanting an extended stay by the water without commuting in from central Cholet.

Frequently asked questions

Is Lac de Ribou a natural lake? No — it is an artificial reservoir created after a dam was built on the Moine river between 1955 and 1957, with the basin filled by 1958.

What is the lake actually used for besides tourism? Its primary role is drinking-water supply for Cholet and the neighbouring municipalities of La Tessoualle, Le Puy-Saint-Bonnet and Saint-Christophe-du-Bois.

Can you swim in the lake? Yes, supervised beaches with swimming areas and a children's play zone operate during the summer season.

How long is the walking trail around the lake? The "La Ribou'cle" loop is 11 km long and takes roughly 2 hours 50 minutes on foot.

Is there accommodation close to the lake? Yes, a lakeside campsite offers pitches, mobile homes and gîtes, along with a heated swimming pool and water slides.