• Around the lakes

Four great lakes: exhilarating nature

Where else can you find four large lakes at the foot of the mountains? An exceptional landscape that offers myriad ways of exploring everything lakes have to offer, whether you’re sporty or contemplative, a sailor or a dreamer.  

Open water

Set sail for Savoie Mont Blanc’s four great lakes

Mountain seas 

Lakes Aiguebelette, Annecy, Bourget and Geneva combine the delights of open water with outdoor activities. 

The most discreet 

Lake Aiguebelette

Nestled at the foot of the Montagne de l'Epine, Aiguebelette, which means “beautiful little waters”, is the gateway to the Avant-Pays Savoyard. The smallest of Savoie Mont Blanc’s four great lakes is a regional nature reserve, unspoilt but extremely welcoming. As one of France’s warmest natural lakes (up to 28°C in summer), it is a paradise for water sports, notably paddle boarding. 

Discover lake Aiguebelette

The wildest 

Lake Bourget

Not far from Aiguebelette, to the north of Chambéry but still in Savoie, lies France’s largest natural lake. Lake Bourget is the treasure of Aix-les-Bains, the Riviera des Alpes, whose facilities and services have earned it a three-star France Nautique rating. Although the Mont-du-Chat shore, opposite Aix-les-Bains, is only accessible by boat, the rest of the lake has a dozen beaches that are perfect for swimming and other water sports.

Discover lake Bourget

Couché de soleil depuis le belvédère de la Chambotte
Coucher de soleil sur Annecy depuis le Mont-Veyrier
The most famous 

Lake Annecy

Head east and you come to Lake Annecy, snuggled between the Bauges Mountains and the Aravis Range, one of the most beautiful gateways to Haute-Savoie. 
Following the cycleway around the lake is a great way to appreciate this magnificent gem and its breathtaking mountain setting.  

Discover lake Annecy

The largest 

Lake Geneva

Western Europe’s largest lake laps against the northern edge of the Chablais mountains, in Haute-Savoie.  
Lying on the border between France and Switzerland, it is a veritable inland sea and a paradise for anglers and yachtsmen. It also boasts an amazing variety of family beaches, ranging from Excenevex, Lake Geneva’s only naturally sandy beach, to Nernier’s tiny pebble strand and the beaches of Thonon-les-Bains, a four-star France Nautique resort.  

Discover lake Geneva

Vue aérienne du lac Léman

Our lakes are jewels with unique landscapes and a true connection with nature, now so essential

Stéphane Tourreau

Free-diving champion

Lakes, a paradise for activities 

There are innumerable ways of exploring these superb lakes and enjoying their magnificent surroundings. Whether onshore or on the water, non-motorised activities are the best ways to enjoy the unspoilt environment: rambling, relaxing, cycling, hiking, rowing, canoeing, paddle boarding, boating, fishing, diving, swimming, paragliding, etc.

All lake activities

Swim or relax 

The great lake's most beautiful beaches 

Are you more sand or pebbles? Or do you prefer soft grass? More than 50 beaches offering swimming and water sports dot the shores of the four great lakes. 

Find a beach

Enjoy the lakes 365 days of the year 

Activities all year round 

Everywhere in Savoie Mont Blanc, it’s well-being that counts, whatever the season, not just in summer. In winter, when the mountains are draped in snow, lake cruises, paraglider flights and, for something a little different, paddle-board trips take on another form of magic. And then there’s spring, when nature comes back to life, and autumn, when the mountains are ablaze with colour, and when, more than ever, there is the space to dream, far from the bustle of summer. Tempted? Why not give it a try?

Gems to visit

Jewels in the crown

The royal abbey of Hautecombe, perched on its rocky promontory, watches over Lake Bourget. All four great lakes are surrounded by castles, museums, fishing harbours and floral villages, reminders of Savoie’s exceptional history. Amble through narrow streets, step inside historic buildings and discover Savoie Mont Blanc’s cultural riches. 

Discover Savoie Mont Blanc’s cultural heritage

Rooms and terrasses with a view

Restaurants and accommodation

Gourmet tables

Lake fish take pride of place on the menus of our lakeside restaurants. From open-air cafés to Michelin-starred restaurants, on the water’s edge or with panoramic views, meals are a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. 

Lakeside restaurants

Singular accommodation for extraordinary nights 

In the heart of an abbey, in a castle or, even more romantic, overlooking a lake, spend one or more unforgettable nights in these unique places.  

All accommodation

Lakeside events

Major events

Sporting and cultural events bring thrills and spectacle to the four great lakes throughout the year. In this unspoilt, open-air setting, each season’s changing colours enrich the backdrop to further inspire artists and athletes. 

All the events