Lac de St Cassien Provence-Beyond (Beyond the French Riviera) ® Length: 7 km N-S; 3 km E-W Var (83) Altitude: 145 m Nearby: [ Fayence | Saint Cézaire | Malpasset Dam (barrage) | Tanneron | Massif de l'Esterel ] Photos: Larger photo of the lake (15k) Sailboats moored in the mist (14k) Misty morning lake scene (14k) This beautiful, wild lake is about 7 km long north-south, with an east-west section another 3 km long. With its southern tip adjacent to the autoroute, only 12 km west of Cannes, the Lac de St. Cassien is easy to get to, but remains natural in a natural environment. The lake is bordered almost completely by forested hills, and the shoreline is undeveloped, leaving its beauty for all to enjoy. The D37 road from the autoroute (exit Les Adrets) goes north along the eastern shore of the lake, and then crosses over to northwest to join the D562 Grasse-Draguignan road just east of Fayence. There are some places along the road with ample parking and easy access to the shore, with beaches for swimming, picnic tables, and boat, sailboard and canoe rental. The majority of the shoreline, however, is isolated and accessible only (if at all) by small trails through the scrub oak and juniper to tiny coves and clear spots suitable for picnicking and swimming. Fishing The lake apparently contains huge carp, as well as pike and other predator fish. Carp fishing is open year-round, but please, if you catch one of these noble creatures, release it back into the lake. There is a season for the other fish; ask at Chez Pierre's or one of the other cafes on the lake. To help maintain the sport of fishing, you should release anything that you catch. Thanks to reader Simon Moxley (MCSE), DEC Europe, for providing the fishing information. Sports Boat, canoe and sailboard rental is available along the eastern shore of the lower lake (conveniently beside the road) and northwestern end of the Pont de Prè Claou bridge that crosses the lake. Hiking. Maps: IGN 3543 est (1:25,000); Didier Richard #26 (1:50,000). Hiking trails go completely around the lake, although they follow roads for part of the journey. To the east of the lake, the Bois de Callian goes up over the hills towards the village of Tanneron, where the oak forests merge into the many mimosa forests. To the west, the hills and forests are wilder and steeper.