Conditions
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The Chambaud water body stretches across the southern Ardèche region in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, in close proximity to Le Cheylard, a small plateau town located at an altitude of about 600 meters. This lake reservoir is set against a backdrop of medium mountains with wooded slopes, characteristic of the southern Central Massif. The surrounding banks offer a mix of meadows and deciduous forests, typical of this transitional area between the Alps and the Cévennes. Chambaud Beach features a sandy surface that contrasts with the rocky banks of its nearby neighbors — Beach Le Cheylard 1, just 300 meters away, and Beach Mariac 1, located 4.4 kilometers distant. The site exudes a local swimming atmosphere, far from the summer crowds of the alpine lakes. The water, fed by underground and rainfall typical of the Ardèche plateau, displays a moderate temperature in summer. The sandy shore allows for a gradual entry into the water, appreciated by regular bathers who frequent this discreet area. The water body has lifeguard supervision during the summer season, ensuring safety for swimmers. No specialized infrastructure (parking, showers, dining) is mentioned in the available data. Wheelchair access is not facilitated. The Blue Flag status has not been awarded to this site, which remains primarily a regional swimming destination rather than a tourist hotspot.
Chambaud derives its name from the Old French "chamb" (field) and "aud" (old), referring to the cultivated lands of the plateau. The water body, created in the 20th century through damming, transformed a wet valley into a water reserve intended for agricultural irrigation and flow regulation. Today, this reservoir remains little known to tourists from outside the region, retaining the character of a community swimming spot where Ardèche families gather during the hot summers of the plateau. Geologists observe traces of the ancient volcanic activity of the Central Massif here, visible in the basaltic rocks that outcrop in the surroundings.
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