Lac du Bourget
France's largest natural lake, 18 km long, where you can take boat trips, swim, or cycle around the shore against a backdrop of mountains and water.
Lac du Bourget lies west of Aix-les-Bains. Steep cliffs, such as the Dent du Chat, drop straight into the water on the western shore. The eastern shore has the spa town and lakeside beaches. The poet Lamartine set his famous poem “Le Lac” here. The main activities are boat trips from the Aix-les-Bains harbour: about an hour to Hautecombe Abbey, or a half-day trip to Chanaz through the Savières Canal. You can also rent stand-up paddleboards and kayaks on the shore. In summer, several public beaches open for swimming. The lakeside cycle route is about 50 km, and there is a greenway on the east shore. The Belvédère de Chambotte and the Dent du Chat are the best places to view the whole lake.
Opening hours
All day; boat rides approx. Apr–Oct
Nearby sights
- Grand Port & Lakeside, Aix-les-Bains
- Hautecombe Abbey
- Belvédère de la Chambotte
- Gorges du Sierroz
- Musée Faure
- Casino Grand-Cercle
- Thermes Nationaux & Arch of Campanus
- Dent du Chat