Lac de Servières

Orcival

The Lac de Servières is a maar lake, in the commune of Orcival, at 1,200 m above sea level (1,202 m according to Wikipedia). It covers 15.5 ha and reaches 26 m in depth. A maar is a crater dug by an explosion when magma meets surface water, according to the tourist office. The Département du Puy-de-Dôme acquired it in 2019 and gave it the Espace naturel sensible label. Fishing, regulated with the fishing federation, opens on the first Saturday in April, with fly and lures only; swimming, boating and fires are forbidden, and an area is provided for watering horses. Allow about an hour to walk around it. Access is from the D983, 8 km from Orcival. The sources consulted contain neither legend nor ancient history of the lake: the entry rests on geology, protection status and present uses.

Getting there: 8 km from Orcival by the D983 towards the col de Guéry; free car park of about 200 spaces; about 1 h to walk around it (Auvergne Volcans Sancy). Mountain hike, check the weather. Coordinates: Nominatim; Wikipedia EN gives 45.65; 2.867 (rounded).

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

Ambient sound