Lake Pavin

The Lac Pavin is a Lac French of volcanic origin located in the chain of the Monts Gilds in the Massif Central, more precisely in the area Auvergne, in the department of the Puy-de-Dôme, close to the commune of Besse-and-Saint-Anastaise commonly called Besse-in-Chandesse .

Located at an altitude of 1 197 m, it were formed in the crater of old a Volcan, it is what one calls a Maar . Of form almost perfectly circular, it has a depth of more than 90 m (96 m to be precise), which makes some deepest of Auvergne, and a surface of approximately 44 ha.

It is of very recent origin contrary to the solid mass of the Monts Gilds. It seems that it was formed at the end of the volcanic working life which created the Chaîne of Puys, that is to say approximately 6 000 years ago. The explosion which formed it was very violent: traces of this event were found until in the sediments of the Lac Léman.

In clear weather, the blue sky being reflected in water, it is almost blue-night, with the pastures and the forests which surround it, that gives a splendid landscape. On the other hand, per stormy weather, its deep water appears very dark and worrying, which undoubtedly was worth to him its name of Pavin (of the Latin paveus = terrible . It always fascinated the men and of many legends surround it.

The lake Pavin shows a characteristic unique in France: it is a lake Méromictique. The mixture of water, annual or bi-annual, is carried out only on the first 60 meters. Water of the bottom of the lake is thus confined and took care dissolved in cash, especially out of gas such as carbon dioxide, methane and the hydrogen sulfide which confers a nauseous odor to them; the content these gases is the subject of a monitoring because an increase could involve risks of gas eruption.

One can canoe there with leisure and fish there Truite S and ombles knights.