Where can you swim in Haute-Marne?
From the sandy beaches of Lac du Der to the crystal-clear waters of Lac de la Liez, discover places to lay down your towel for a successful holiday by the water. Whether you're a fan of relaxation or water sports, these havens of freshness promise unforgettable moments, just a stone's throw from your campsite.
The beaches of Lac du Der
The six beaches around Lac du Der offer safe and varied swimming spots. The water sports centre at Giffaumont-Champaubert is popular for its lively atmosphere and modern facilities, although it may be temporarily closed if cyanobacteria are detected. For a quieter spot, the Cornée du Der offers a natural beach surrounded by forest, appreciated for its peaceful setting. It is open all year round, but swimming is only supervised until mid-August.
On the Larzicourt peninsula, a vast beach lined with pine trees welcomes you for quiet afternoons with the family, with shallow waters and lifeguards on duty in summer.
A true aquatic paradise for a refreshing weekend in the heart of the Der region.
Lac de la Liez: swimming and water sports
Glide across the sparkling waters of Lac de la Liez on water skis or challenge the waves on a wakeboard from the modern water sports centre. This 290-hectare blue expanse offers a supervised beach throughout the summer, from 1.30pm to 7pm, with facilities suitable for all. Families particularly enjoy the floating water park with its inflatable structures and slides, while sports enthusiasts can try their hand at paddleboarding or canoeing.
For a relaxing break, the fine sandy beach welcomes swimmers in a secure area. The site, laid out in natural terraces, offers breathtaking views of the ramparts of Langres.
Lake Vingeanne and its leisure areas
Lac de la Vingeanne (also known as Réservoir de la Vingeanne or Lac de Villegusien) is a 199-hectare artificial lake: an ideal place to combine relaxation, nature and water sports.
The water sports centre offers a dynamic summer programme with e-foiling, wing foiling and paddleboarding. On the long sandy beach, swimming is supervised every afternoon from 1.30pm to 7pm from 5 July to 1 September, when the green flag is flying.
Lac de Charmes and its supervised beach
Nestled in lush greenery, the Lac de Charmes beach has a charming family atmosphere. Its clear water, swimming area supervised every afternoon in summer and Handiplage-approved facilities make it a pleasant site suitable for everyone, especially people with reduced mobility.
The Juchère pond: swimming in a supervised lake
Located in a peaceful natural setting, the Juchère pond in Villars-Montroyer offers a swimming area that is equipped and supervised every summer, from 14 July to 21 August, in the afternoons from 1.30pm to 7pm, when the green flag is raised. This family-friendly site also offers play areas, picnic shelters and barbecues, perfect for a relaxing day by the water. Swimming takes place in a marked area, ensuring safety and peace of mind for visitors.
For a break in nature: Lac de la Mouche
More unspoilt, Lac de la Mouche is not equipped for swimming but offers an ideal setting for walks, fishing and scuba diving.
Where to camp near swimming spots?
There are around twenty campsites located near lakes and rivers in Haute-Marne.
To make the most of Haute-Marne's water sports, several campsites welcome you just a stone's throw from the beaches. The Yelloh! Village en Champagne***** campsite offers direct access to the shores of Lac du Der from its shaded site.
Near Langres, the Liez***** campsite offers breathtaking views of the lake of the same name. A footpath leads to the beach in just a few minutes, where you can enjoy supervised swimming in summer.
Water quality in Haute-Marne
Water quality in Haute-Marne is regularly monitored by the Regional Health Agency, with mostly excellent results at the sites monitored. These analyses guarantee safe swimming throughout the summer season, so you can enjoy the department's lakes and beaches with complete peace of mind.
Practical tips for a successful swim
These tips will help you make the most of your swimming and relaxation time by the water in Haute-Marne:
- Wait 2 hours after eating before swimming
- Go to the beach early in the morning for a quieter experience
- Use eco-friendly sunscreen and a reusable water bottle
- Follow the rules and respect local wildlife, stay on the paths
- Take your rubbish with you and sort it into the bins provided