Lac d'Estaing et la fée du lac

Estaing

In the val d'Azun, the lac d'Estaing occupies a hollow left by a glacier of the Quaternary era, which came down to the plain of Argelès-Gazost. Its name comes from the Occitan ‘estang’, an expanse of water. On its shore, a village founded, it is said, by younger sons without inheritance: the inhabitants are nicknamed ‘eths pescadous’, the fishermen. According to oral tradition, fairies, once women, live at the bottom of the lake under a spell. A man fasting who heard their song could free them by asking them in marriage. Abadie de Sireix, returning from Spain, is said thus to have married one of them. She brought him wealth and many children, on one condition: never to call her mad. One stormy day, she brought in the harvest before the rain; her husband, thinking her mad, accused her wrongly. She returned to the lake, but promised to watch over her descendants. The legend adds that King Bernadotte of Sweden came from this family. Today the lake is gradually filling in, and an easy loop goes around it.

Getting there: One can park at the water's edge (several car parks, quickly full in July–August); the tour of the lake is an easy loop. In July and August a shuttle links Argelès-Gazost to the lake (€2 one way, €4 return, no reservation). In winter the road may be closed because of avalanche risk. Coordinates of the lake from OpenStreetMap.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound