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Savoie · Haute-Savoie

Lakes of the Northern French Alps

Large lowland lakes and a high-altitude reservoir: for each one, how to get there, where to park or get off the train, what to do, the rules to know and hikes with a view of the water. Each guide opens with the lake’s webcams and weather forecast.

5 lakes

The lakes on the map

  • Lake
  1. Lake

    Lake Annecy

    A lake of exceptionally clean water between the Semnoz and the Tournette, with grassy beaches, a cycle loop and mountain viewpoints.

  2. Lake

    Lac du Bourget

    The largest natural lake of glacial origin lying entirely in France, between the Dent du Chat and Mont Revard, with Hautecombe Abbey on its wild shore.

  3. Lake

    Lake Geneva

    The largest Alpine lake, shared with Switzerland: on its French shore, Évian, Thonon, the medieval village of Yvoire and the sandy beach of Excenevex.

  4. Lake

    Lac d’Aiguebelette

    A private, protected freshwater lake with no combustion-engine boats, with its beaches, two islands and the cliffs of the Épine.

  5. Lake

    Lac de Roselend

    A reservoir lake at 1,557 m below the Rocher du Vent, on the Cormet road: reachable only from late spring to autumn.

How these guides are made

Every figure (altitude, area, depth, distance, ascent) comes from a source cited in the guide, preferably official: lake authorities, tourist offices, operators, local councils. Most of these sources are in French. The texts are written for AlpeSnow. A webcam or a forecast cannot tell you whether a beach has lifeguards, a boat is running or a road is open: each guide links to the official source for that. Guides last reviewed on .

Sources and methodology

AlpeSnow · Observe, understand, prepare.