Find out more in this article:
- Lake Annecy
- Lake Geneva
- Lakes and family-friendly leisure centres
- River swimming in Haute-Savoie
- Campsites near swimming spots
- Practical advice
Large lakes with supervised beaches
Lake Annecy and its beaches
Lake Annecy, renowned for the purity of its waters, offers several beaches with facilities and lifeguards in summer.
In Annecy-le-Vieux, Albigny beach attracts families with its large lawn and designated swimming area. The town also has the grassy Marquisats Beach and the Impérial Beach, which charges an entry fee.
In Saint-Jorioz, the supervised beach has a gently sloping area suitable for children and a pleasant setting facing the mountains. The neighbouring town of Sevrier also has a beach with facilities, including sand and grassy areas.
In Duingt, the municipal beach offers a pleasant setting with its lawn by the lake. In Menthon-Saint-Bernard, the municipal beach is a grassy beach where an entry fee applies in summer.
In Talloires-Montmin, there are several options to choose from, including Talloires municipal beach, Angon beach and Les Cassines beach.
At the southern end of the lake, , Doussard offers a quieter atmosphere with a well-equipped beach and water sports such as paddleboarding and canoeing.
On the eastern shore, in Veyrier-du-Lac, La Brune beach – which is lifeguarded in July and August – complements the swimming options offered by Le Plant beach, which is unlifeguarded.
Discover all the beaches on Lake Annecy.
Beaches of Lake Leman/Geneva between Évian, Thonon and the surrounding area
The French coastline of Lake Geneva has several well-equipped beaches. These are mainly pebble beaches bordered by lawns.
In Thonon-les-Bains, the supervised municipal beach offers suitable swimming areas and a large green space. Less well-known but much loved, the beaches at Saint-Disdille (also in Thonon-les-Bains) and Corzent, in Anthy-sur-Léman, offer peaceful settings with lifeguards on duty during the summer season.
In Évian-les-Bains, the water sports centre offers supervised swimming, either in the lake or in one of its two pools. The beaches at Parc Dolfus and Les Mouettes also allow you to enjoy Lake Geneva, though they are unsupervised.
In Publier, the Amphion municipal beach also offers a well-maintained access point to the lake. Further east, Saint-Gingolph has a municipal beach on the shores of Lake Geneva.
In Sciez, the beach with facilities combines grass and pebbles, with supervised swimming in summer. In Excenevex, the large beach of fine sand is another unmissable spot for enjoying Lake Geneva. The La Pinède**** campsite allows you to make the most of this beach.
Discover more beaches on Lake Geneva.
Lakes and family leisure centres
The Lac Bleu in Morillon
Close to the village, the Morillon’s Lac Bleu welcomes holidaymakers in a safe environment. The sandy beach is supervised in July and August, and there are several facilities (play areas, trails, equipment hire) to complete the offer. It is a very family-friendly site.
Lake aux Dames in Samoëns
In Samoëns, Lake aux Dames forms part of a large leisure complex built around two swimming lakes, just a few minutes’ walk from the village. Swimming is permitted in the larger of the two lakes during the summer, with a designated swimming area during the summer school holidays. Its wide, easily accessible banks allow you to enter the water gradually, against the backdrop of Mount Criou and the Haut-Giffre peaks.
The Combloux biotope lake
This ecological basin is naturally filtered, without chemical treatment. Open for swimming in summer, it offers a well-maintained setting with a solarium, lawns and panoramic views of the Alps. The water is generally warmer than in other mountain lakes. Find out more
Passy Lake Leisure Centre facing Mont Blanc
In the Mont Blanc valley, Lake Passy is home to a well-known leisure centre. The sandy beach is supervised in July and August. Holidaymakers can also enjoy water sports, a trail around the lake and exceptional views of the surrounding peaks. Access is easy for families thanks to car parks and picnic areas.
The Ilettes lakes in Sallanches
At the entrance to the Arve Valley, the three Ilettes lakes welcome visitors. The second lake is equipped for swimming, with lifeguards in high season, a grassy beach and toilets. The site is quiet and accessible, with subtle views of Mont Blanc.
Montriond lake
In the heart of the Aulps Valley, Lake Montriond offers a spectacular setting nestled between cliffs and forests. A designated area provides supervised swimming in summer, in naturally cool water. The site also offers water sports, and a footpath allows you to walk all the way round the lake.
Lake Pontet in Les Contamines-Montjoie
In Les Contamines-Montjoie, Lake Pontet is a small mountain lake equipped as a swimming lake. Situated at an altitude of nearly 1,200 metres, it offers a pleasant setting with views of the surrounding peaks. Swimming is supervised in summer and there is a beach where you can enjoy the water and the scenery.
The swimming lake in the resort of Praz-sur-Arly
In Praz-sur-Arly, the Belles swimming lake, situated in the resort, offers a pleasant setting with views of Mont Charvin. Open from June to September, it features a grassy beach and a wooden deck serving as a sunbathing area, bordering a shallow, gently sloping designated swimming area. Swimming is supervised on Wednesdays and at weekends in June and September, and every day in July and August from 11.00 am. The site also includes an area dedicated to water sports, featuring a water park and the option to hire stand-up paddleboards.
The Lacs du Nanty Leisure Centre in Thyez
In the heart of the Arve Valley, the Thyez Leisure Centre, renovated in 2026, is set in lush green surroundings around two lakes, one of which is reserved for fishing and the other for swimming. The swimming area is supervised by lifeguards in July and August, from 12 noon to 7 pm. Outside these months and times, swimming is prohibited. A beach with facilities allows visitors to enjoy the lake during the summer months.
Les Écoles lake in Les Gets
At an altitude of 1,240 metres, Lac des Écoles, overlooking the village of Les Gets, is set in lush green surroundings. Its designated swimming area, suitable for young children, is supervised by lifeguards in the afternoons from the last week of June until the end of August. Large grassy beaches provide a place to relax by the water’s edge, where the temperature averages 22 °C in July and August. A slide plunging into the lake and the Wibit, an inflatable water park featuring floating obstacles, round off the activities on offer.
Where can you swim in rivers in Haute-Savoie?
Swimming in the Giffre in Morillon and Samoëns
The Giffre, a mountain river, offers several popular swimming areas. In Morillon, the Lac Bleu leisure centre offers supervised swimming in a natural environment, with a sandy beach and shaded lawns. Upstream, there are occasional access points to the river, but swimming outside the centre should be done with caution.
The natural pools of the Dranses
In the heart of the Chablais region, the Dranse forms several refreshing natural pools, particularly between Bioge and its mouth at Lake Geneva. Although swimming is not supervised along the entire length of the river, certain areas are regularly visited in summer, such as the Pont de la Douceur bridge and the banks upstream from Thonon-les-Bains.
The Dranse Delta Nature Reserve, accessible via marked trails, is a great place to take a break by the water. However, swimming is prohibited there, as it is further downstream on the Dranse, at Publier.
Where to camp near swimming spots in Haute-Savoie
You’ll find over a hundred campsites in Haute-Savoie.
Go camping around Lake Annecy
The campsites in Sévrier, Saint-Jorioz and Doussard offer easy access to the supervised beaches of Lake Annecy. Some are located less than a 10-minute walk from the swimming areas. See all campsites near Lake Annecy, including Le Lanfonnet and the La Chapelle Sainte-Claude***, which offer direct access to Talloires-Montmint beach, or La Nublière**** with its direct access to Doussard beach.
Campsites in the shores of Lake Geneva
Évian-les-Bains, Thonon and the towns of Chablais offer a wide range of campsites close to the shores of Lake Geneva. Some sites are within walking distance of swimming spots. In Thonon-les-Bains, we particularly recommend the Saint-Disdille*** campsite, situated 200 metres from the beach of the same name, and its neighbour, the La Dranse*** campsite. In Sciez, choose the Le Châtelet*** campsite, located 300 metres from the beach.
In the Mont Blanc valley
In Passy, several campsites are within walking distance of the beaches of Lake Passy. This is an ideal option for those who want to alternate between swimming and hiking. We particularly recommend the Les Îles*** campsite, located 150 metres from the lake.
Practical tips for safe swimming
To make the most of Haute-Savoie's natural sites, choose areas supervised by lifeguards. Check the signs for water quality, weather conditions and specific rules for each location.
Swimming in rivers can be dangerous outside designated areas due to currents, unstable riverbeds and low temperatures. Follow local recommendations and don't hesitate to ask the tourist offices for advice.
Finally, respect the environment: do not leave any rubbish behind, avoid fragile riverbanks and keep your pets on a leash when required. These simple gestures will enable everyone to enjoy these exceptional sites for years to come.