Key points of the article:
- A holiday between the mountains and the lakes gives you a beautiful blend of landscapes and a choice of different activities, both in summer and winter.
- The whole family can enjoy a variety of activities: hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, swimming, sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and picnicking with exceptional views.
- The Alps and the Pyrenees are full of spectacular lakes such as Lake Annecy, Lake Bourget, and Lake dโOรด โ perfect for swimming and water activities.
- Renting a chalet near a mountain lake allows you to combine comfort and privacy with a choice of activities.
A getaway between mountains and lakes promises a truly unique experience โ where the grandeur of the peaks meets the tranquil beauty of crystal-clear waters. Whether youโre planning a summer escape or a winter retreat, this perfect blend invites you to embrace the outdoors and create unforgettable memories with family or friends.
Find your dream chalet
Why spend your holiday between lakes and mountains?
A perfect balance between unspoiled nature and relaxation by the water
The mountain ranges of the Alps, the Vosges, and the Pyrenees are home to countless natural lakes โ true havens of peace. Often high in the mountains, they form unique and vital ecosystems while offering an idyllic setting to unwind and reconnect with nature.
Whether youโre taking a refreshing swim, enjoying a leisurely pedal boat ride or simply sharing a lakeside picnic with family as you admire the view, a lakeside resort is the perfect place to relax, sheltered by the majestic mountain peaks.
Activities for all ages, at any time of year
Between mountains and lakes, thereโs no end to the adventure, with activities for all ages in every season.
In summer, families can set out on scenic hikes on foot or horseback, dive into crystal-clear waters or enjoy water sports such as kayaking, sailing, and paddleboarding.
When winter arrives, these same destinations are transformed into snowy playgrounds โ perfect for skiing in all its forms, snowshoeing through peaceful landscapes or embarking on a husky sled ride straight from the resort.
The most beautiful mountain lakes in the Alps
Lake Annecy: the pearl of the Alps
This lake in Haute-Savoie is said to be the purest in Europe. It certainly captivates visitors with its turquoise waters and magical scenery.
Surrounded by majestic mountains that seem close enough to touch, the landscaped beaches of Lake Annecy are perfect for swimming and family picnics. Water activities are also an option here, with opportunities for sailing, pedal boating, diving, and kayaking โ all amid one of the most breathtaking alpine settings in France.
Our partner chalets near Annecy
Lac du Bourget: Franceโs largest natural lake
Lac du Bourget, in Savoie, is the largest natural lake in France. With its deep blue waters and lush green shores, itโs the perfect setting for both relaxation and outdoor sports such as rowing, sailing, canoeing, fishing, and diving.
Nearby, the charming towns of Aix-les-Bains and Chambรฉry provide excellent facilities for visitors, including a renowned thermal spa complex.
Lac dโAiguebelette: swimming in warm, turquoise waters
Another Savoyard gem not far from Lake Bourget, Lac dโAiguebelette is known for its remarkably warm waters, which can reach up to 26ยฐC in summer. Surrounded by wooded hills, this peaceful lake is ideal for swimming, pedal boating, paddleboarding, and family picnics on the shore.
Its tranquil atmosphere makes it an ideal destination for those seeking calm and serenity, and itโs easily accessible from Chambรฉry โ perfect for a relaxing day with your toes in the water.
Lac Blanc in Chamonix: a breathtaking Alpine panorama
Accessible from the famous resort of Chamonix, Lac Blanc offers one of the most spectacular views of the Mont-Blanc massif. Sitting at an impressive altitude of 2,352m, itโs the starting point for several iconic hikes, including the one passing Lakes Chรฉserys, Blanc, and Persรฉvรฉrance.
In winter, its snow-covered banks invite visitors to explore on snowshoes or try their hand at mountaineering, all while admiring the dazzling peaks of the Aiguilles Rouges range.
Lac de Serre-Ponรงon: a water sports paradise
Straddling the border between the Hautes-Alpes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, at the southern edge of the รcrins National Park, Lac de Serre-Ponรงon is a vast artificial lake at an altitude of 780m.
Its turquoise waters and mountain backdrop make it a hotspot for sailing, water skiing, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding. In summer, floating inflatable playgrounds add a touch of fun for families and adventure seekers.
Lacs aux Dames: fun and adventure for the whole family
Two beautiful lakes on the Giffre river make up the Lacs aux Dames, which are easily accessible from the villages of Samoรซns and Morillon โ where youโll also find a wide selection of cosy rental chalets.
Surrounded by forests and meadows, the lakes offer family-friendly walking trails and picnic spots. In summer, a nearby leisure park provides tennis, basketball, and football facilities along with a large playground, an adventure course, an outdoor pool, and even a pรฉtanque court.
Our partner chalets near Samoรซns
Other Alpine lakes
The Alps are dotted with countless high-altitude lakes that thrill hikers and nature lovers. Some of the most beautiful are:
- Lac du Mont-Cenis, in Savoie, just a stoneโs throw from the Italian border, near the Mont-Cenis Pass and the Giaset Lakes Pass;
- Lac de GrandโMaison, straddling Savoie and Isรจre, and close to the villages of Saint-Sorlin-dโArves and Saint-Colomban-des-Villards, in the Sybelles area;
- Lac Bleu, near the Cheval Noir Pass, accessible during a hike in the Alps starting from Saint-Franรงois-Longchamp;
- and finally, the enchanting and almost perfectly circular Lac de Saint-Front, in the Auvergne-Rhรดne-Alpes region, near Puy-en-Velay.
The Pyrenean lakes you wonโt want to miss
Lac dโOรด: a magical waterfall in a wild setting
Lac dโOรด, in the Hautes-Pyrรฉnรฉes, is a secluded mountain gem, reachable after about an hour and a half of hiking. This glacial lake is known for its spectacular 275-meter-high waterfall that plunges into a natural basin.
With no road access and surrounded by mountains, itโs hard to believe this wild and unspoilt setting is less than 5km from the Spanish border.
Lacs dโAyous: superb views of the Pic du Midi dโOssau
The Lacs dโAyous form a chain of six mountain lakes within the protected Pyrenees National Park. Youโll need to hike to this area, but youโll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the tooth-shaped Pic du Midi dโOssau.
Donโt forget your camera, as itโs a paradise for photographers and nature lovers. Itโs home to marmots, vultures and bearded vultures, as well as herds of cows and horses grazing in summer meadows.
Lac de Gaube: a picture-perfect Pyrenean scene
Also in the Hautes-Pyrรฉnรฉes, the Lac de Gaube is a glacial jewel framed by forested slopes and snow-capped peaks, dominated by the towering Vignemale.
You can reach it on foot in about an hour and a half, or take the cable car from the Pont dโEspagne. With its mirror-like surface reflecting the mountains, this idyllic lake has inspired countless artists and romantics.
Other mountain lakes to discover in France
Lac de Gรฉrardmer in the Vosges
Lake Gรฉrardmer is the largest natural lake in the Vosges, covering an area of 116 hectares. Hugging the town to the east and surrounded by hills and forests on three sides, it offers activities such as sailing, pedal-boating, and swimming.
In winter, itโs sometimes possible to go ice skating if the lake freezes over. About 40km of cross-country ski trails wind through the surrounding forests for skiing enthusiasts.
Lac de Vouglans in the Jura
Lac de Vouglans, which snakes its way between the Jura Mountains for 35kms, is an artificial lake at an altitude of 429m. It is located on the edge of the magnificent Haut-Jura Regional Park.
Thanks to its developed shores, such as the Mercantine Beach, its emerald waters are ideal for swimming, as well as for kayaking, canoeing, fishing, pedal-boating, or even paddleboarding.
Lac dโAllos, near the Mercantour national park
Lac dโAllos, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, is the largest natural high-altitude lake in Europe. It sits at an altitude of 2,200m not far from Saint-รtienne-de-Tinรฉe, a village in the Alpes-Maritimes at the gateway to the Mercantour National Park.
Surrounded by mountains, this lake offers many opportunities for hiking in the Alps and observing wildlife such as the golden eagle, the Alpine ibex and the magnificent ermine.
What to do around a mountain lake?
Hiking and extraordinary views
Mountain lakes are often the destination of hiking trails starting from the resort, allowing visitors to discover the beautiful mountain landscapes. There are many such hiking options around Lake Annecy.
Please check your route at the local tourist office before you set off to make sure you are aware of any difficult terrain.
Swimming and man-made beaches
Many mountain lakes have developed beaches for swimming, which are generally supervised during the summer months. Some of the larger beaches also have restaurants and equipment hire for activities such as paddleboarding and kayaking.
The waters are very pure, making them perfect for a unique swimming experience in the heart of nature. However, please check before you enter the water as not all mountain lakes are open for swimming.
Water sports: sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding and more
A holiday by a lake is the ideal opportunity to try some water sports. Many mountain lakes are developed to allow visitors to enjoy canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, or even windsurfing.
Some lakes also offer the possibility to enroll in sailing, scuba diving, or jet ski courses. In fact, there are many activities available on Lake Annecy.
Cycling alone or with the family
Mountain lakes at low altitude are very often bordered by a cycle path, allowing cyclists to make a leisurely journey around the turquoise waters.
The path around Lake Annecy is probably the most popular of these lakeside routes. Nearly 42 kilometers long, it allows families to discover nature and the villages that dot the shores of the purest lake in Europe.
Relax with a picnic by the water
If you need a relaxing day between mountain excursions, the lake shores are the perfect places to relax and unwind. There are plenty of picnic areas along the shores, on sand or grassy areas, allowing you to enjoy a picnic surrounded by nature and the gentle lapping of the water.
Stay in a chalet between the lake and mountains
Why rent a chalet near a mountain lake?
Renting a chalet near a mountain lake allows you to enjoy the varied natural settings in the Alps. Whether youโre visiting for a ski weekend, a family chalet holiday, or a remote-working stay, a private chalet offers comfort and privacy while remaining close to the mountain resorts.
The best chalets in the Alps
Thereโs a huge choice of high-end chalets in Savoie and Haute-Savoie, offering breathtaking views of the mountain ranges and lakes. You will find many chalet rentals in the Alps, such as in Chamonix, Manigod or Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, which offer a wide range of accommodations, suited to all budgets and all needs.
Our favourites in the Pyrenees
In the Pyrenees, destinations like Cauterets, Saint-Lary-Soulan, or Font-Romeu offer superb chalets combining modern comfort with traditional charm. These resorts allow visitors to enjoy the surrounding lakes while benefiting from quality facilities and a varied Franco-Spanish culture.
FAQs on holidays between mountains and lakes
Which mountain lakes are open for swimming?
You can swim in many mountain lakes, which are often equipped with man-made beaches. Be careful, however: not all mountain lakes are open for swimming.
Which mountain lakes are the most well-known?
The most well-known Alpine lakes include Lake Annecy, Lake Bourget, Lake Aiguebelette, and Lake Serre-Ponรงon, all popular for their scenery and the activities they offer.
When is the best time to visit a mountain lake?
The best time to visit a mountain lake is throughout the summer, from June to September, when water and air temperatures are ideal for outdoor activities. Discovering a mountain lake during the winter months, however, also has its charm.
Can you practice water sports in all mountain lakes?
No, not all mountain lakes allow water activities. Check local regulations and safety on site, as some lakes are protected or strictly reserved for swimming.
