The lake in figures
- About 150 hectares of water and nearly 12 km of shoreline, surrounded by the forests of the Ardennes Regional Nature Park.
- A man-made lake created from a former pond and enlarged in 1949.
- About 420,000 visitors a year, making it one of the busiest leisure sites in the Ardennes department.
- A beach of about 5,000 m², lifeguarded in summer.
- A hiking loop of about 11 km around the lake.
Sources: Ardennes Tourism Development Agency (area, shoreline, history). The Ardennes Department provides the visitor figure: 420,000 visitors a year (2023).
What to do at Lac des Vieilles-Forges?
Treetop adventure at Le Corsaire Volant
A life-size pirate galleon, 9 courses including the Tour Infernale climbing wall, 70 challenges from 1 to 15 m high and 9 zip lines. From age 6. Discover Le Corsaire Volant.
Elfy Park family fun park
5 hectares of play in the forest, themed around elves and Ardennes legends, with a summer toboggan run, giant nets, zip lines and Valdemar, Thomas Dambo’s giant troll. From age 2. Discover Elfy Park.
Wisplash water park
Inflatable modules on the water for jumping, sliding and climbing. wisplash.fr.
Swimming, water sports and fishing
Lifeguarded beach in summer, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, pedal boats and sailing. The lake is also renowned for fishing, especially for carp.
Hiking and cycling
You can walk or mountain-bike around the lake, a loop of about 11 km: allow 2 to 2½ hours on foot on an almost flat path. The surrounding forests and the Meuse valley, with the Trans-Ardennes greenway, offer many more outings.
Where to eat at Lac des Vieilles-Forges
A new lakeside café is due to replace the former snack bar; its opening will be announced here. In season, food trucks set up near the beach: chips, ice cream, fresh juices. For a proper meal, La Ferme du Pont des Aulnes (RD988, Les Mazures) serves lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, and Sunday lunch. Picnic areas are set out around the lake.
For guidance only, based on the official lake website: please check before you go.
Where to stay by the lake
The Lac des Vieilles-Forges campsite lies on the shore, in the forest, with pitches and holiday cottages for 6 people.
Prices: is the lake free?
Yes. Access to the lake, the lakeside trail and the car parks is free. Only the activities are paid: Elfy Park €16 (€8 for ages 2-4 and 60+), Le Corsaire Volant €18 for ages 6-13 and €25 from 14, or the Pass-Partout for both parks on the same day (€27 instead of €34, €32 instead of €41). Wisplash prices are on wisplash.fr.
Weather at the lake
Deep in the Ardennes forest, it can be cooler than in town. Check the Météo-France forecast for Les Mazures before you set off.
An EDF lake, producing energy since 1949
Lac des Vieilles-Forges is an artificial reservoir, created in 1949 and operated under concession by EDF, the French power company. It holds about 5 million m³ of water. It supplied a hydroelectric plant until 1975; today it serves as a reserve for the Revin pumped-storage power station, one of the most powerful in France (800 MW), to which it is linked by the river Faux. Since an agreement signed in 1978 with the Ardennes county council, the lake has also been open to water sports. It is even used as a water pick-up point for firefighting aircraft. Source: EDF, Revin hydroelectric schemes (in French).
Why does the water level sometimes drop?
EDF may lower the lake for power generation or maintenance work. These drawdowns are announced at short notice, often 15 to 20 days ahead, and usually take place after the summer season. This happened from 31 August 2026: after the summer drought, EDF lowered the level by at least two metres to rebuild the Revin station’s reserves, and water sports were suspended (Ardennes Actus, in French). That operation is now over; after each drawdown, the lake refills gradually from natural inflows. Elfy Park and Le Corsaire Volant, set in the forest, are not affected.
Getting to Lac des Vieilles-Forges
Address of the parks: 6 rue du Lac, 08500 Les Mazures, France. Coming from Renwez, the parks are on the right, after the leisure centre and before the sailing club. GPS coordinates: 49.8754, 4.5976.
| From | Distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|
| Charleville-Mézières | approx. 20 km | approx. 20-25 min |
| Revin / Rocroi | approx. 15-20 km | approx. 20 min |
| Sedan | approx. 45 km | approx. 40 min |
| Reims | approx. 110 km | approx. 1 h 15 |
| Couvin / Chimay (Belgium) | approx. 40-50 km | approx. 30-40 min |
| Charleroi (Belgium) | approx. 90 km | approx. 1 h 10 |
| Namur (Belgium) | approx. 100 km | approx. 1 h 30 |
| Brussels | approx. 150 km | approx. 2 h |
| Luxembourg | approx. 170 km | approx. 2 h |
| Lille | approx. 200 km | approx. 2 h |
| Paris | approx. 240 km | approx. 2 h 45 |
Approximate driving times, excluding traffic. From Belgium, you arrive via Couvin and Rocroi or via Givet and the Meuse valley.
Frequently asked questions about the lake
Where is Lac des Vieilles-Forges?
In the French Ardennes (Grand Est region), in the municipality of Les Mazures, between Charleville-Mézières (20 min) and Revin, about 40 minutes from the Belgian border.
Can you swim in Lac des Vieilles-Forges?
Yes. A designated beach is lifeguarded during the summer season. Outside lifeguard hours, you swim at your own risk.
What is there to do with children at Lac des Vieilles-Forges?
Elfy Park (from age 2), Le Corsaire Volant treetop adventure (from age 6), the Wisplash water park, the beach, playgrounds and a walk or bike ride around the lake. The Pass-Partout combines Elfy Park and Le Corsaire Volant on the same day.
Is Lac des Vieilles-Forges far from Belgium?
No: about 30 to 40 minutes from Couvin and Chimay, 1 h 10 from Charleroi, 1 h 30 from Namur and 2 h from Brussels.
Do you have to pay for parking?
No, parking by the lake is free.
Who owns Lac des Vieilles-Forges?
It is an artificial lake created in 1949 and operated under concession by EDF, which uses it as a reserve for the Revin pumped-storage station. Water sports have been allowed since a 1978 agreement with the Ardennes county council.
Why is the lake level sometimes low?
EDF may lower the level for its needs, in particular to rebuild the reserves of the Revin pumped-storage station. These drawdowns, announced 15 to 20 days ahead, mostly happen after the summer. Most recently, from 31 August 2026 the level was lowered by at least two metres; that operation is now over. Elfy Park and Le Corsaire Volant are not affected.
Is Lac des Vieilles-Forges free?
Yes: access to the lake, the trail and the car parks is free. Only the activities are paid, such as Elfy Park (from €8), Le Corsaire Volant (from €18) or Wisplash.
Where can you eat at Lac des Vieilles-Forges?
In season, food trucks (chips, ice cream) set up by the lake, where a new café is due to open. La Ferme du Pont des Aulnes, in Les Mazures, is a restaurant open from Tuesday to Sunday lunchtime. Picnic areas are available.
How long does it take to walk around the lake?
About 2 to 2½ hours on foot for the 11 km loop, almost without climbs. By mountain bike, allow under an hour.
Can you stay overnight by the lake?
Yes, the Lac des Vieilles-Forges campsite is on the shore, with pitches and holiday cottages.
When are the lake’s parks open?
Elfy Park opens daily during the autumn half-term, from 17 to 31 October 2026, 1pm to 6pm. Both parks reopen on 28 March 2027. Details on the practical information pages of Elfy Park and Le Corsaire Volant.