Walk around Lake Rioutard in Saint-Paul-en-Forêt

Lac du Rioutard is a hillside reservoir dating back to 1974. During this hike, discover an exceptional natural setting and a botanical trail created in 2007 by the Respire association, where you can learn about Mediterranean plant species. The dam covers an area of 5.8 hectares and has a capacity of 200,000 m³ of water. The dam is 14 metres high. Fishing enthusiasts can try their hand at catching tench, carp or perch. The botanical trail is marked by around thirty botanical panels highlighting Mediterranean plant species: stone pine, maritime pine, cork oak, holm oak, Montpellier rockrose, arbutus, juniper, tree heath, cade, mastic tree, thorny broom, thyme, etc.

Details

n°88379358

Creation:
19 Nov 2025

Last update:
29 Jan 2026

Last review:
–

Activity: Walking
Distance: 2.76 km
Average duration: 0h 55
Difficulty: Easy
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 56 m
Descent: - 55 m
Highest point: 311 m
Lowest point: 255 m

Country: France
City: Saint-Paul-en-Forêt (83440)
Start/End: N 43.559923° / E 6.68991°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3543ET, 3543OT
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Description of the walk

Access: from Saint-Paul-en-Forêt, follow the D4 towards Bagnols. At the village exit, take the "Vigne de Maure" road downhill to the right and continue until you reach Chemin de la Tyre, where you turn right to find the dirt car park at the starting point. GPS coordinates of the starting point: 43.559986, 6.68999

(S/E) From the car park, go to the information board at the start of the trail and follow this path downhill until you reach Lac Rioutard and the weir.

(1) From the lake shore, cross the weir and complete the full circuit by following the signposted botanical trail.

(2) Then continue straight ahead to the opposite bank, approaching the trail you took on the way there. Turn right, then right again onto the trail and return to the car park via the same route you took on the way there (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 310 m - Car park Chemin de la Tyre
1 : km 0.61 - alt. 258 m - Weir
2 : km 0.91 - alt. 258 m - Signposted botanical trail
S/E : km 2.76 - alt. 311 m - Car park Chemin de la Tyre

Notes

Please note: fishing is regulated in the lake and swimming is prohibited.

Additional information

Opening period: all year round, subject to favourable weather conditions.

Contact

Telephone: 04 94 76 01 02

Email: contact@paysdefayence.com

Website: https://www.paysdefayence.com

Tips and suggestions

Surrounded by pine and oak trees
- An idyllic and rejuvenating setting
- Ideal for walking and hiking
- Picnic table by the lake

Terrain type:

Pebbles
Earth

Worth a visit

Surroundings:

In the forest
Lake view

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Author

Pays de Fayence Tourisme
15 Walks

Tourist office

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Website:https://www.paysdefayence.com/

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