Lake Charpal, like a taste of Canada…

Lake Charpal, a haven of beauty in winter and summer. Midi Libre – Lola Pesquié

Park, leave the car and the phone, and simply enjoy. Take the time to breathe, contemplate and hear the sound of the snow under your feet. Midi Libre – Lola Pesquié

Walking in the snow is a sport! So, put on your best pair of snowshoes and set off to conquer the tour of the lake and explore its every nook and cranny. An activity that is tiring for the body but relaxing for the mind. In summer, children have fun all around the lake, by bike, scooter or even on foot. In winter, do as you would on skis and drag them along on a sled! Guaranteed laughter. Midi Libre – Lola Pesquié

Lake Charpal changes its appearance in winter. It is adorned with its most beautiful white coat to amaze young and old.

Who has ever been to Lozère without hearing about Lake Charpal ? This spot straight out of a postcard is a must for a beautiful walk, and is sure to make everyone who goes around it fall in love. It is located at the foot of the Fortunio thing, on the Plateau du Roy, at an altitude of over 1,300 meters.

At the end of the First World War, the lake was used to store gunpowder confiscated from the Germans, as well as the French surplus, along with other munitions. In 1925, work began on the construction of the Charpal dam. Today, this dam supplies a third of the Lozère department with drinking water. This site is therefore full of history, and has not always been as peaceful as it seems.

The lake, very often completely frozen during the winter period, will amaze you. The lake is impressive, thanks to its 190 hectares of surface area. A real giant ice rink. Midi Libre – Lola Pesquié

We often think of recommending it when the good weather arrives, but in winter too, the setting is grandiose and offers different possibilities. Indeed, the tour of the lake has been developed and it is possible to go around it, almost nine kilometers long (8.7 kilometers exactly).

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In winter, once the snow has been braved (because the place is sometimes difficult to access by car), you feel privileged. Quieter than in summer, you feel cut off from the world, it's quickly a change of scenery and above all, very soothing.

What makes the charm of the place, among other things, is that it is not visible to everyone from the road. It is a little hidden and is not easily distinguished, especially in winter.

After the effort, the comfort! Stop at Cyril Raynal, in O’Minéola, to enjoy a four-in-one plate. Choose a dish, four sides will come with it. Currently on the menu: gratin dauphinois, forest tart and aligot croquette! Midi Libre – Lola Pesquié

O’Minéola, build up your strength before the walk to the lake

The O’Minéola hotel-restaurant is located in Rieutort-de-Randon. It is one of the only ones in the area. Thus, the welcoming owners of the house, with their four employees, put visitors in touch with local forces to allow everyone to have a pleasant stay in Lozérien.

In 2019, Cyril Raynal, a pure Loz&eacuterien, bought the old three-star hotel built in 1963 to carry out work and completely restore it. His hotel-restaurant pizzeria opened in 2020. A "prideé&quot according to him.

The establishment has 17 rooms and 42 beds in total. Overlooking the Roy plateau, it is ideal for spending a weekend in all simplicity in the heart of the beautiful Margeride, to breathe the fresh mountain air and recharge your batteries, for example near the Charpal lake… Moreover, Cyril Raynal knows this place particularly well. Between 2011 and 2015, he owned a snack bar at the Charpal lake, his first business. Then, he opened a pizzeria at Rieutort in 2015, before buying the hotel which was then called the Plateau du Roy.

He is carrying out this latest project with Anastasie Kouao, his partner. Originally from the Ivory Coast, she allows the business to be at the image of the couple: “half-rural, half-exotic.” Ivorian dishes are sometimes on the menu, not far from the pan-fried aligot, an invention of Cyril Raynal himself.

The restaurateur, after serving you, will surely direct you to Lake Charpal for a beautiful digestive walk which will allow you at the same time to discover one of the most wonderful places in Lozère, the one he loves so much.