Are you hot in the mountains? No problem. Cool off by discovering the water activities available in Savoie Mont Blanc!
Whitewater sports enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy in Savoie Mont Blanc, with exceptional sites such as the Vallée du Giffre. The diversity of this torrent, which combines calm, wise passages with fast, bubbling ones, is one of its greatest assets. The Giffre is accessible from Sixt, Samoëns and all the way to Morillon, a 10 km route. All you have to do is choose your favorite activity for a refreshing thrill. On the Tarentaise side of the valley, there’s no stopping your pleasure with the tumultuous rivers where rafting, white-water swimming, canyoning, kayak-raft…
Water sports, supervised by professionals, will refresh your spirit! Discover the 9 water activities to do in Savoie and Haute-Savoie!
1. Full moon paddle-yoga
Photo credit: Facebook – OM LAC YOGA
On the beach at Brison St Innocent, discover « by night paddle » outings where the paddles are illuminated by LED lights under the board. This activity is accessible to all levels. All you need is the ability to swim. If you’re coming with the family, this is one of the best water activities in Savoie.
2. Yoga Paddle and Pilates Paddle
Photo credit: Facebook – Nautic All Sports
A yoga session on a floating paddle on the shores of Lake Geneva combines the virtues of yoga with those of lake water! Connected to nature, you breathe pure air and work on flexibility and balance. All while soaking up vitamin D from the sun!
3. Step Paddle
Photo credit: Facebook – La Crique Lac d’Aiguebelette Plage
You’ve guessed it, water sports in Savoie Mont Blanc often rhyme with paddleboarding! This time, we’re heading for Lake Aiguebelette. Here, the paddle merges with the step for a session like no other! Particularly easy to access and stable, it’s the perfect combination for discovering Savoie and doing sport.
4. Family Canyon by night
Photo credit: Facebook k- Canyon ET Cascades
In the moonlight, equipped with head cameras, the experience of canyoning at night in Morillon takes on a whole new dimension. The senses are heightened and silence becomes almost audible. Laughter and shouts soon echo through the canyons, where natural slides, jumps and abseils alternate. The result of a skilful balance between the very best in aquatic activities and the adrenalin of the Savoie Mont Blanc landscape.
5. The Eco Stroll on the Dranse River
Photo credit: Facebook – Evolution 2 Aquarafting – Lac Léman
Let’s continue discovering Savoie’s adrenalin-filled water activities! This time, rafting awaits you! Original and fun, this rafting trip reveals the most beautiful faces of the Dranse valley. The scenery flies by at the speed of the current. You’ll be a spectator of an exceptional natural heritage, while learning about the history of the Pays d’Évian Vallée d’Abondance.
6. The lake shore
Photo credit: Facebook – FFRandonnée – Fédération Française de la Randonnée pédestre
In Savoie Mont Blanc, there’s no tide or ocean to contend with if you want to try your hand at longe-côte. What’s more, you’ll have the chance to discover one of Haute-Savoie’s finest water sports, with Lake Annecy – the purest in Europe – as your playground.
Accessible to all, this activity has real toning and regenerating effects. The movement in the water strengthens the cardiovascular system and muscles, without traumatizing the joints. The water is crystal-clear at an average temperature of 23°C. So, what’s stopping you?
7. The Ruisseling
Photo credit: Cordon Tourisme
Have you heard of Russeling? Russeling is the sport of walking up a stream with your feet in the water, jumping from stone to stone and over tree trunks. What’s more, this invigorating experience also lets you discover the flora and fauna of the river and its undergrowth. So you can experience two things at once: water activities in the mountains and the Savoy countryside.
8. Autonomous Wakeboarding
Photo credit: Facebook – Izyfoil – ex 666 Foil
0 noise, 0 waves, 0 pollution, that’s the motto of the 4 founders and inventors of IzyFoil. Highly innovative and accessible to all, eFoil is similar to surfing or wakeboarding. The electric propulsion is integrated into a board fitted with a foil, enabling you to surf and fly above the water without waves or wind. A wireless remote control is used to control speed.
9. The first aquatic orienteering course
Photo credit: Facebook – Pays du lac d’Aiguebelette – Savoie Mont Blanc
Let’s round off our overview of Savoie Mont Blanc’s aquatic activities with a brand-new course. Savoie Mont Blanc’s land (or rather water) is home to the very first aquatic orienteering course.
To « search for the lake’s hidden inhabitants », you’ll have to set off to discover the riches of the lake’s natural heritage, in an original and fun way, on the boat of your choice. Ten markers are to be found in the middle of the lake. To find them, you’ll need the support map, available free of charge from the Maison du Lac.
So which of Savoie’s 9 aquatic activities will be your choice?
Many thanks to Savoie Mont Blanc for their help with this article.