Discover Pierrefitte

When planning a stay in Pierrefitte on Lac de Vassivière, there are several themes to consider: the protected peninsula, the lakeside beach, a public marina, and water-based and mountain biking activities. Art on Île de Vassivière offers a distinct cultural point of interest. These differences can help you decide whether the main focus of your stay will be the landscape and lakeshore, a particular activity, or art and architecture.

Landscape and lakeshore

The Presqu'île de Pierrefitte has been listed as a protected site since January 10, 1964. Plage de Pierrefitte lies on a strip of land that extends into the waters of Lac de Vassivière. These are two distinct points of reference for the lakeshore landscape: the protected status applies to the peninsula, while the description of the beach refers to its location on the strip of land extending into the water.

Marina and water activities

Pierrefitte is one of six public marinas on Lac de Vassivière. This makes the marina one of several public options on the same lake. Services and access arrangements at the marina may change. Pierrefitte is also a possible place to launch a boat on Lac de Vassivière for fishing; conditions may vary depending on the state of the lake and local regulations. If you’re planning to visit the marina and launch a boat, check access to the marina and the boat-launch conditions in advance.

The Ski Club Vassivière can accommodate groups for water skiing or inflatable tube rides. For group planning, this offers a specific choice between water skiing and a tube ride: these are different activities, even though both take place on the water.

Art, island and cycling

The Centre International d’Art et du Paysage, an institution dedicated to contemporary art, is located on Île de Vassivière. Since 2018, the Centre has held the French Ministry of Culture’s “national interest” designation. Île de Vassivière is a pedestrian island. You can reach it via a footbridge, by a walk of about 20 minutes, or by shuttle boat during the season. The difference is useful for planning your time: the walk takes about 20 minutes, while shuttle boats provide another option during the season.

The “Lac de Vassivière – Grand tour par les tourbières” mountain bike trail starts on the Presqu'île de Pierrefitte. A GPS survey of the trail dates from July 23, 2021. Check trail conditions before riding.

More cultural highlights

The host village of Beaumont-du-Lac has a Romanesque church. This offers those interested in art and architecture another cultural point of reference alongside contemporary art on Île de Vassivière: the church is Romanesque, while the Centre International d’Art et du Paysage is dedicated to contemporary art.

At the beach

There is a snack bar at Plage de Pierrefitte. The service is seasonal and may change. If you’re planning to stop there for a break, check availability before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Sauviat-sur-Vige, Aureil, Maisonnais-Sur-Tardoire, Nouic, Saint-Sylvestre, Couzeix, Coussac Bonneval, Folles.

For the overview of the wider region: Haute-Vienne.