Do you enjoy swimming in rivers, but prefer the soothing calm of lakes? Then this article will point you in the direction of the most beautiful lakes to swim in France!
When you explore our beautiful hexagon, you can’t help but be captivated by its magnificent sights. With its thousand-year-old mountains, verdant landscapes and numerous waterways, France is a most exceptional country. But our country stands out all the more for the multitude of lakes it shelters.
In summer, when the mercury rises a little too high, it’s always nice to take a dip in a lake. Far from the hustle and bustle of a river, a dip in a lake is as refreshing as it is soothing. That’s why we’ve put together a small selection of the most beautiful lakes to swim in France. Between dreamy landscapes and relaxing bubbles, let yourself be charmed by these most unusual places!
1. Vouglans lake, Jura
Photo credit: Shutterstock – awcapPhoto
To kick off our tour of the most beautiful lakes for swimming in France, let’s head for the Jura. This is where you’ll find Lac de Vouglans. This is one of the Jura Massif’s dam lakes, and France’s third-largest man-made lake. It was built in the 1970s and is almost thirty-five kilometers long.
Being a mountain lake, its waters are clear, almost turquoise, with a heavenly allure. The surrounding landscape is entirely natural, and the flora of the Jura is most fascinating. If you take a boat trip around this watering hole, you might even come across a few ashes or pike. Lac de Vouglans also offers a wide range of family activities in addition to swimming. It’s the perfect place to spend a summer afternoon!
2. Lac du Bourget, Savoie
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Pierre Jean Durieu
We’re moving away from the Jura to Savoie and its magnificent Lac du Bourget. This is the largest natural lake of glacial origin to be found entirely in France. In fact, it dates back to the last glacial period in the Alps, over 19,000 years ago.
Today, Lac du Bourget is one of the jewels in the region’s crown. In addition to its many beaches and leisure resorts, it’s also home to the superb Hautecombe Abbey. Still in use today, this superb Gothic structure was built in the 12th century.
But the best part is the scenery. The lake’s turquoise waters are truly magnificent, and its surroundings are breathtaking! It certainly deserves a place on our list of the most beautiful lakes to swim in France.
3. Lake Annecy, Haute-Savoie
Photo Credit: Shutterstock – Samuel Borges Photography
Head for Haute-Savoie, to discover the famous Lake Annecy. This unique lake is located in the French Alps, at an altitude of almost five hundred meters. The wildlife on this magnificent lake is exceptionally varied. Pike, carp, trout, molluscs, snakes, ducks, voles and much more can be seen on site.
As a result, you’re likely to come across many visitors if you take a boat to visit the lake. As for the scenery around it, it’s sure to take your breath away! The lake offers a unique view of the French Alps. In particular, the Tournette summit and the Bauges massif.
Lake Annecy is also reputed to be the cleanest urbanized lake in Europe. Its waters are incredibly clear. So, needless to say, it’s one of the most beautiful lakes to swim in France! It has also inspired many painters throughout history, including Jean-Francis Auburtin and Paul Cézanne.
4. Lake Saint-Cassien, Var
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Juergen Wackenhut
Lac de Saint-Cassien is located in Provence, in the Var department. It is a dam lake, impounded in the 1970s. The water is particularly turbid and lacks oxygen.
As a result, there is very little flora and fauna beyond a depth of ten meters. Nevertheless, it abounds in fish, molluscs and sedentary birds. In fact, it’s a favorite spot for carp fishing. Thanks to its particular shape, the forests that border it are home to a flora as varied as it is interesting.
Although it’s one of the most beautiful lakes in France, swimming in Saint-Cassien is not supervised. Despite this, you’ll be able to enjoy a multitude of other water sports. You can sail the Saint-Cassien for a stroll, or try your hand at rowing on its splendid waters. You can even fish on the lake, provided, of course, you have a valid fishing permit!
5. Lake Pareloup, Aveyron
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Père Igor
This reservoir was created following the construction of a dam in the 1950s. Pareloup lies on the Lévézou plateau, between the towns of Rodez and Millau, at an altitude of almost eight hundred meters. The lake’s special feature is its many small islands. In summer, it’s a favorite with anglers looking for big catches like pike.
The lake is surrounded by natural landscapes and fascinating wildlife! It’s a most attractive spot for swimmers, offering them a moment of relaxation in the middle of nature. Which makes it one of the eight most beautiful lakes in France. So don’t hesitate to take a stroll or enjoy a picnic with family and friends.
6. Salagou lake, Hérault
Photo credit: Shutterstock – ybasDigiPhoto
Le Salagou is the reservoir of the eponymous dam. It lies in the heart of the Hérault department. The reservoir is a tourist attraction easily accessible from Béziers, Montpellier or Sète. Its distinguishing feature is the island at its center, at an altitude of over one hundred meters.
The region’s magnificent mountains and plateaus also border this watering hole. In particular, from its heavenly beaches, you can admire Carels to the west and Mont Liausson to the south. What’s more, this reservoir is unique in that its soil is made up of « ruffe ». This is a kind of bright red clay. Salagou is also home to numerous volcanic rocks. These bear witness to the region’s intense volcanic activity several million years ago.
Today, Lac du Salagou offers a wide range of water sports. These include swimming, boat trips and windsurfing. Popular with tourists, this one-of-a-kind spot is one of France’s most beautiful bathing lakes! It’s sure to offer you an unusual experience in a splendid landscape.
7. Lac d’Oô, Pyrenees
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Evgeniia Podbeltseva
Most of France’s most beautiful lakes are located in our mountain ranges. They therefore have the advantage of being cut off from the world and offering a unique bathing experience. The downside, however, is that they’re not so easy to get to. And among the most beautiful lakes to swim in France, Oô is no exception.
In fact, you’ll have to walk almost six kilometers to reach this lake. The lake nestles at an altitude of almost 1,500 metres. It offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains and the lush greenery of the Pyrenees. Needless to say, it’s a real paradise, and you’re sure to be captivated by this unusual lake!
8. Lac d’Hourtin-Carcans, Gironde
Photo credit: Shutterstock – sylv1rob1
This lake is located in the heart of the Landes region and is one of the largest natural lakes in France. It lies between its two namesake towns, Hourtin and Carcans. To the north, it’s known as Lac d’Hourtin, while to the south it’s called Lac de Carcans. It stretches for over eighteen kilometers, parallel to the Atlantic Ocean, and is almost five kilometers wide.
But Lac d’Hourtin-Carcans doesn’t just stand out for its immensity. Indeed, it has the advantage of having preserved its natural environment almost in its entirety. Its white sand dunes, surrounding forests and wild marshes give it an undeniable charm. This makes it one of the most beautiful lakes to swim in France! In summer, you can also enjoy a wide range of water sports on this unusual watering hole.
So, are you ready to take advantage of France’s most beautiful lakes for swimming?