Les Ô Kiri in lac de Baudreix : A day of sport & relaxation with the family !

Today, we suggest a day of sport and beach activities in Lac de Baudreix, located only 15 minutes away from Pau. Les Ô Kiri, is a Leisure Activity centre with everything you need for family fun : a cable skiing (from 6 years old), a waterjump base, slides, playgrounds and a beautiful forest park with hiking paths, cycling paths, picnic tables and an educational trail… For the hungry, there is a delicious restaurant with view over the lake, and there is also the possibility to rent chalets offering everything you need for holidays. Are you joining us ?

>>>>>>>>>> Click here to see our video on the Baudreix Lake

20 years of leisure activities for all !

Les Ô Kiri leisure activity centre has been open more than 20 years. It started with an ambitious project by Annie Birou to convert a gravel pit ! For 10 years, the nature site was developed to welcome locals seeking coolness and a place to swim, and also for holidaymakers, who enjoy a beautiful view over the Pyrenees Mountains and the proximity of the Pau River.

Slowly, the site developed and blended in with the surrounding landscape : a white sandy beach, slides and water slides, and then a surprising concept of a « cable park » (cable skiing) was developed on the other sides of the river. Four years ago, the waterjump opened and seduced thrill-seekers and those looking for fun. The natural forest park located just next to the Gave de Pau River was enhanced by a hiking path and a cycling path.

Les Ô Kiri also offers a very good restaurant with view over the Pyrenees, overlooking the lake, you can savour delicious dishes and local recipes on the large wooden terrace before of after swimming. And if you are seduced by the surroundings, you can stay in one of the charming wooden chalet, gites, mobile homes or at the 4* campsite, welcoming holiday-makers. Yes, really there is everything you need !

The turquoise lake water and in the background, the restaurant and its panoramic terrace

The view on the Pyrenees mountains, not bad, don’t you think ?

The Ô Kiri cable skiing

We arrived in the morning and we could not wait to try the cable skiing. Available from 6 years old (depending on the day, children can be picked up by boat on the lake for more fun and less strain), it is a closed trail on the lake, supported by pylons, which work like an alpine « drag-lift ».

Beginners use a « knee board », it is a board on which you can kneel. Equipped with a helmet and a life jacket, you take place on the run and after few advice, you catch a rope which is going to haul you on the whole trail, in a loop. For stopping ? Just let the rope goes and head to the shore. You are falling ? Just reach the pontoon, then the river shore ! Up to 8 people can surf simultaneously on the circuit ; this is an exciting activity !! You need a bit of practice to start, but after 1 or 2 attempts, it slides away !

The cable skiing nautical base, with stands to observe, a snack-bar and sun-loungers

Start by kneeling on the board, you are then hauled all around the lake by cable while holding a rope

You can ski or surf, and on some days, there are launch pads open to the more experienced ones

The Waterjump, slide and jump on the launch pads

The Waterjump is located on the other side of the cable skiing, on the opposite river bank. We head there after a picnic in the forest park. The weather is a bit overcast ; therefore the site is quieter (good for us !), this does not spoil the day. It is a family activity (from 6 years old), equipped with a helmet and a life jacket if necessary ; you have several runs at your disposal :

The runs with pins mat, to take with a buoy, we slide and let go the buoy on arrival during the jump, you then need to head towards the closest pontoon. On the large mat, we can slide at many on large buoys : it is really fun !!
The blue runs : they can be used without equipment, we lay on it, on the back or on the tummy, we slide and jump thanks to the launch pad, we then fall into the water.
The beige runs : they be can used with a board (bodyboard type), we slide laying down on the tummy and we can go veryyyyyy far !

The easy runs at the entrance of the Waterjump are for practicing and for the children. You access the park by 2 hours sessions, it is funny because more the time goes by and the more you dare to try the highest launch pad ! It is not difficult or dangerous (when you follow the instructions of the lifeguards), just impressive.

A good picnic in the park, or a meal in the delicious restaurant !

The Waterjump facing the Pyrenees Mountains, what a beautiful setting !

We can jump very high !

The beginners’ runs

Children of all ages love it and adults can have fun with them

On the « Drop In » we can slide at many persons

The beach, the toboggans and the turquoise colour water

After all these emotions, it is now time to relax on the beach. The children spotted a water slide and carry on with the fun, while the youngest one plays in the playground with the slides ending in the sand and everybody meets again in the water. The water of the lake is fed by groundwater, which was put to use during the gravel pit period. It is of an emerald blue or turquoise colour (depending on the weather), clear, transparent… With the white sand, it feels like being on a far away island !

It is an ideal place to put your beach towel, swim (the water is hot and very clean) and play with the stones. The athletes can enjoy external services such as Stand Up Paddle, Canoës, Kayak rentals… or a surprising floating BBQ for 8 persons…

At the end of the day, you can wander in the park by bike, or do like us and go and have an ice-cream at the restaurant. Enjoy !

The beach, which is usually a bit busier, but it was overcast on that day !

Enjoying the turquoise blue water

Pleasant swim !

Children enjoying the water slide

Having fun in the large play ground

Bike ride at the end of the day

Go via the lovely bridge above the Gave de Pau River

Further information

The nautical base and activities are open (depending on the year, it is more or less always the same date), from 25th May to 30th September.
The restaurant is open all year but at different dates depending on the academic holidays, check the dedicated page
Check the Ô Kiri website for prices, dates and safety information for each activity
Check the page of the nautical base Guide du Béarn

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