Pleasant walk and opportunity to picnic by the lake. We are short of large stretches of water in this area and, other than the Rhone and Mormoiron (see separate), this is one of the few and can occasionally be busy.
Drive towards Caromb on the D21 but at the main road, the D933, turn left towards Le Barroux. Follow this road for about 2 kilometres and then, in a winding section, turn right on to the D13 – there is a sign to Lac du Paty. About one kilometre down there is another sign and a car park on your left. Park here if you want the (less than a kilometre/half an hour) walk up through the Ravin du Lauron. Alternatively follow the road up on your left to the car park at the lake.
Leave the lower car park in the direction of the road but then go right, past an information panel, on a grassy track. Follow this all the way up.
The lake is artificial, i.e. there as a dam at the end, but clear and blue. At the far end there is a snack bar (not always open naturally) and picnic tables etc. You cannot do the full circuit as walking across the dam at the near end is forbidden; though of course this is France and there will be people scrambling over the railings. The drop is unguarded and vertiginous so not for me….
Return to the car park by the same path.