Discover Villedieu Lake
Villedieu Lake is a French carp fishing lake surrounded by mature forests and farmland. It’s a wonderfully tranquil and peaceful setting, with little to disturb you apart from the sound of the birds.
We first stocked the lake in early 2022 with over 200 carp, the largest weighing 55lb. Since that original stocking, we have completed three further stockings. Today, Villedieu Lake is home to over 400 carp, with fish now reaching over 62lb.
Conveniently located just eight minutes from Junction 42 of the A20 in South West France, the lake is easy to reach while still feeling wonderfully secluded once you arrive.
Fishing at Our French Carp Fishing Lake
There are 11 swims positioned around the lake, including both single, doubles and a Paval’s Point with 4 swims. We currently welcome a maximum of just six anglers at any one time, giving everyone plenty of water and space to fish.
At its deepest point, the lake is approximately four metres deep. We have also created an island at the shallower end, providing another interesting feature for anglers to explore.
The lake bed has the character of an old estate lake, with areas of silt, sand and gravel. You’ll also find old tree stumps and three original stream beds running through different parts of the lake.
Small areas of weed, bullrushes and overhanging trees provide additional features. Combined with the natural contours of the lake, there are plenty of opportunities to find those all-important carp-holding spots.
Whichever swim you choose, you’ll have beautiful French countryside around you.
Carp Fishing at Villedieu Lake – Over 400 Carp to 60lb+
Our carp are at the heart of Villedieu Lake.
Following several stockings since 2022, the lake now holds over 400 carp. With fish exceeding 60lb and plenty more coming through, there is always the possibility of a very special catch.
Whether you visit as part of a group or come as an individual angler, numbers on the lake are deliberately limited. A maximum of six anglers helps maintain the peaceful fishing experience we want Villedieu Lake to offer.
Lake Map
Our lake map shows the layout of Villedieu Lake, including the position of the swims and key features around the water.
With 11 swims spread around the lake, anglers can choose from single and double options depending on availability and their group.
The History of Villedieu Lake
L’Étang de la Villedieu was once part of the neighbouring Château de la Villedieu. The lake was later sold separately from the château and, fortunately for us, eventually became ours.
The name L’Étang de la Villedieu roughly translates as “The Pond of the City of God.” Its history is connected to the château, which was once used as a stopping point for pilgrims travelling between Limoges and Brive.
There is another, rather more colourful, piece of local history too. We understand that the château was originally built for the mistress of a lawyer from Limoges!
The lake appears on France’s historic Cassini maps, showing that a body of water existed here as far back as the 1700s.
During the 1960s, we understand that the lake flooded and its dam wall failed. The resulting flood washed away the Moulin de Rouffignac – the Rouffignac mill – within the commune where the lake is situated.
The dam wall was subsequently rebuilt, and a modern system is now in place to manage the lake and protect the surrounding watercourse.
A Naturally Fed French Lake
Villedieu Lake is fed by two main water sources as well as at least two natural springs.
Its water ultimately feeds into La Boucheuse, a river which begins in the commune of Magnac-Bourg in Haute-Vienne. From there, it travels through Corrèze before eventually flowing into the Auvézère near Payzac in the Dordogne.
It’s this combination of history, natural water sources and beautiful countryside that gives our French carp fishing lake so much of its unique character.