Lake Saint-Cassien

One thing to know upfront

There's no lake or river you can swim in right next to Cavalaire-sur-Mer — the nearest watercourses don't allow swimming. Lake Saint-Cassien is the most realistic freshwater option in the area, but it's about an hour's drive away, and one rule applies everywhere: swimming a dog in the lake is banned, by prefectural order, because the lake supplies drinking water to part of the Alpes-Maritimes via the Société du Canal de Provence, as well as protecting wildlife (carp, pike, pikeperch, nesting birds).

The vibe

A large reservoir lake, 7 km by 3.5 km, between Montauroux, Callian, Tanneron and Les Adrets-de-l'Estérel, in the Var right next to the Alpes-Maritimes. Dogs are allowed all year round, on a leash, on the shores and paths around the lake — but strictly banned from the supervised beach at the Maison du Lac.

What to know before you go

The area most often mentioned for a dog-friendly walk outside the supervised sectors is Plage de l'Américain, chemin du Gabinet in Montauroux (Plage du Pré Claou, just before the bridge, is another option). Pine woods line some areas, offering welcome shade in summer. Parking is free in the designated areas around the lake. Remember to bring water for your dog separately — even though the lake is visible and within sight, there's no question of letting your companion paddle in it.

Nearby

The Pays de Fayence, just above the lake, has other waterways where dog swimming is possible, such as the Gorges du Blavet or the Pont de Mons on the Siagnole. Towards Tanneron, the Gorges de la Siagne round out a trip in this area between the Var and the Alpes-Maritimes.