The best fishing holiday I've ever been on. 94 carp in a week. And one new lake to watch for 2027.

Belle Fosse is a five-acre former gravel quarry in the Loiret, south of Paris, around four hours from Calais and three hours and ten minutes from Caen. The lake was an established fishery before its current owners took over, which means there were already large carp in the water when the new stock programmes began. The result is a population that is difficult to estimate precisely but runs to around 160 fish between 18 and 65lb, with an average of 30lb and a difficulty rating of 5/10 that reflects what sessions on the lake actually look like in practice: fish that are catchable, fight well, and tend to keep things busy.

Ninety-four carp in a week on two rods. The phrase "fish after fish" is not an exaggeration, and it sits alongside what other anglers have been reporting across the 2026 season. In July, one group of three landed 82 fish in a week including 8 over 40lb, a 49lb common and a 48lb mirror. In June, another session produced 47 carp with 15 over 30lb. The lake has mirrors, commons, grass carp and albino catfish, and the variety means the sessions rarely go quiet once the fish decide to feed.

The accommodation is a 30m² chalet right at the water's edge: two double bedrooms, a living room with sofa bed, fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning, a terrace, and a direct view onto the rods from the living area. Suzy, who manages the lake, is mentioned in review after review for being helpful, welcoming and on hand whenever something is needed without making herself intrusive. Two rowing boats, two slings and two unhooking mats are included. Bait is available to pre-order on site. Four anglers maximum, exclusive hire.

What makes Champagne Lake stand apart from almost everything else in the Majestic Carp portfolio is the floating chalet. It is moored in the centre of the six-acre quarry, 26m² of living space on a 16m² terrace, so that anglers in this swim fish open water in every direction and have the entire lake available from a single position. Water lilies on the right create a consistent holding spot for fish throughout the season. The bank cabin, renovated in 2023, gives the second pair of anglers a more conventional but equally comfortable base with a full kitchen, microwave, shower and a large window overlooking the water. Electricity at both positions, boat included.

The family review above is from August 2026: three generations fishing together, grandfather, father and son, landing 48 carp in a week up to 50lb. The week after, Tom Sloan and a companion landed 88 carp between two anglers with 10 over 40lb to 49lb 12oz. These are not exceptional sessions for this lake: a 4/10 difficulty rating reflects a water that is genuinely accessible while still producing serious fish regularly.

The stock is the work of Florian, who runs the lake with his father and is consistently praised by anglers for being helpful, approachable, bilingual and present when needed without hovering. Fish farmer expertise is visible in the quality of the carp: mirrors make up the majority, alongside grass carp, silver carp (5 of them, running to 55 to 110lb), and commons. All were selected and introduced with care. The water is three hours from Calais, near Jâlons in the Marne, with Champagne vineyards in the background and a decent supermarket in Epernay ten minutes away.

La Métairie does not open until 2027, which means there are no reviews to read yet. What there is: an 11-acre former gravel pit with around 280 carp ranging from 18 to approaching 60lb, an average weight of 30lb that is actively improving, and a stock that includes both original fish and carefully selected additions from the owner's own professional fish-farming operation. Commons, mirrors, and an attractive proportion of fully scaled mirrors among them.

The lake has a central peninsula from which anglers can cover a substantial portion of the water while staying within easy reach of each other. The layout is well suited to a group of four: fish together from the peninsula or split into two pairs and approach the lake from different angles. The lakebed is varied enough to reward proper time with a marker rod: large areas of firm sand and gravel alongside softer patches and natural weed, with depth reaching 2.8 metres at the deepest point. The shallower bay towards the western and north-western bank is noted in the venue description as particularly worth watching when fish begin showing in warmer conditions.

This is not designed as a runs water. Medium difficulty means observation, accurate location and good presentation are what produce results. With very few nuisance fish in the lake, sessions are almost entirely focused on carp. The fish are fed a regular diet of quality pellets and particles year-round, including through winter, which means the stock arrives at each season in condition rather than needing to recover from it.

The accommodation is a lakeside lodge sleeping four: one double bedroom, one twin room, a spacious living area, a fully equipped kitchen and a private bathroom. Outside, a large covered veranda that gives a proper view of the lake, electric heating included for cooler months. The entire venue is privately reserved for your group throughout the stay. No shared swims, no neighbours, no compromise on the private water experience.