Lakes and swimming spots in the mountains of Savoie
Lakes and leisure centres in the valleys of Savoie
Campsites in Savoie to enjoy the swimming spots
The most beautiful beaches on Lake Bourget
As France’s largest natural lake, Lake Bourget boasts numerous beaches, particularly around Aix-les-Bains. Most sites offer supervised swimming in summer, with varying levels of facilities depending on the area, whilst some swimming spots are more unspoilt.
Aqualac Municipal Beach – Aix-les-Bains
The municipal beach at Aix-les-Bains is one of the main bathing spots on Lake Bourget, with a wide range of facilities, floating water games and supervised swimming in summer.
Mémard Beach – Aix-les-Bains
Close to the harbours, Mémard Beach offers a well-equipped bathing area with sand and grass, jetties and views of the mountains, and is supervised in summer. Enjoy the water sports on offer nearby.
Rowing Beach – Aix-les-Bains
Rowing Beach offers a well-equipped bathing area close to the town centre, with lifeguards on duty in July and August. Why not hire pedalos, catamarans or canoes?
Lido Beach – Tresserve
Lido Beach in Tresserve, refurbished in spring 2026, offers a bathing area with sand and grass and easy access to the water. Lifeguards are on duty in summer.
Les Mottets Beach – Viviers-du-Lac
Les Mottets Beach offers accessible swimming in a pleasant lakeside setting, with lifeguards on duty in July and August (subject to a charge in summer).
Bourget-du-Lac municipal beach
Bourget-du-Lac Beach offers a family-friendly swimming experience, with a sandy beach, grassy areas and a large wooden sunbathing area. The beach is lifeguarded from mid-June to the end of August, but there is a charge during this period.
Pointe de l’Ardre Beach – Brison-Saint-Innocent
Pointe de l’Ardre beach offers a more natural access to Lake Bourget, bordering a large shaded lawn in a peaceful setting.
Châtillon Beach – Chindrieux
Châtillon Beach, a south-facing pebble beach, offers a designated and supervised swimming area in summer. It offers a beautiful view of Châtillon Castle, perched on the heights overlooking the northern bay of Lake Bourget.
La Chatière Beach – Conjux
La Chatière beach in Conjux offers a more secluded access to Lake Bourget, with supervised swimming in summer.
Other, wilder and more secluded spots allow you to swim in Lake Bourget; please note that these beaches are unsupervised:
Coquillages Beach – Terre Nue
Coquillages Beach in Terre Nue offers the atmosphere of a small hamlet by the water’s edge, with secluded access to the lake and unspoilt swimming in a very peaceful setting.
Charpignat Beach
Charpignat Beach, located near the harbour, offers a small, secluded pebble cove on the shores of Lake Bourget, ideal for a more peaceful swim.
Lamartine Beach – Bourdeau
Lamartine Beach, situated in front of the cave of the same name, offers a wilder and more secluded access to the lake (you’ll need to take a path from Bourdeau harbour), appreciated for its tranquillity and natural surroundings.
Meuniers Beach on the wild coast – La Chapelle-du-Mont-du-Chat
Meuniers Beach offers a wild access point to Lake Bourget from the west coast, in an idyllic setting at the foot of the cliffs. However, it is only accessible by boat or canoe, if you’re up for the challenge.
Cap des Séselets – Tresserve / Viviers-du-Lac
The Cap des Séselets area, between Tresserve and Viviers-du-Lac, offers small, natural access points to the shores of Lake Bourget, nestled between pebble banks and jetties, in a quieter setting.
Swimming at Lake Aiguebelette
Renowned for the exceptional colour of its water and its unspoilt environment, Lake Aiguebelette is one of the most beautiful swimming spots in Savoie. Here, the beaches are developed and regulated, with controlled visitor numbers and lifeguards on duty in summer. Note: all beaches on Lake Aiguebelette charge an entry fee from mid-June to the end of August. Pets are not allowed.
Aiguebelette-le-Lac Beach
Aiguebelette-le-Lac Beach is a small, quiet beach on the southern side of the lake, situated near a harbour and a jetty. You can hire electric boats, pedalos, stand-up paddleboards, canoes or kayaks to make the most of the water. You can also make use of the grassy barbecue area (the only one around the lake).
Bon Vent Beach – Novalaise
To the north of the lake, Bon Vent beach in Novalaise offers a designated swimming area with a strip of sand and large shaded lawns, ideal for relaxing with the family.
Le Repaire du Pré Argent Beach – Novalaise
Le Pré Argent Beach offers a pleasant, family-friendly space for swimming, leisure facilities, water games and the option to hire equipment such as floating mats.
La Crique Beach – Nances
A small, cosy beach to the north of the lake, La Crique beach in Nances offers panoramic views of Lake Aiguebelette.
Sougey Leisure Centre – Saint-Alban-de-Montbel
The Sougey Leisure Centre offers a comprehensive facility with a well-equipped beach and water sports (pedal boat, canoe, kayak and stand-up paddleboard hire).
Sunset Plage – Lépin-le-Lac
Sunset Plage in Lépin-le-Lac offers easy access to Lake Aiguebelette in a friendly, family-friendly atmosphere, with a mix of sandy beach and lawns, children’s play areas, and hire of stand-up paddleboards, pedalos and kayaks.
Lakes and swimming in the mountains of Savoie
In Savoie, numerous lakes offer swimming opportunities at high altitude or in mountain villages. Less crowded than the major lakes, these sites provide a quieter alternative, with spectacular alpine scenery and a more natural atmosphere.
La Norma Leisure Centre
The La Norma water sports centre, situated in the heart of the mountain resort of the same name, offers a supervised swimming area in summer that is particularly popular, set amongst wooden and grassy beaches. Children will enjoy the water slide with views of the Maurienne mountains.
Ludi’lacs – Bessans
The Ludi’lacs site in Bessans offers a swimming and leisure area at altitude, in the heart of the Haute Maurienne. This developed lake allows visitors to cool off in summer in a mountain setting. Children will particularly enjoy the inflatable water play structures. Supervised swimming in July/August.
Lake Praz – Courchevel
Lake Praz in Courchevel is open for swimming in July and August only, close to this prestigious mountain resort. Enjoy the beach and the jetty. Swimming is supervised. Surrounded by forests and peaks, this lake is an iconic site in the Tarentaise.
Bozel Lake
Bozel Lake offers a designated, supervised swimming area in July and August, with a large lawn and unobstructed views of the Tarentaise peaks. This family-friendly spot is much loved for its easy access and alpine setting.
Flumet Lake
Flumet Lake offers supervised swimming in July and August in the heart of the Val d’Arly, in a typical mountain village setting. Surrounded by greenery and hills, it makes for a pleasant, refreshing stop in summer.
Les Léchères Lake - Albiez-le-Jeune
The Albiez-le-Jeune lake offers the chance to enjoy a swim in a small village in the Maurienne, in the heart of a shaded, peaceful and unspoilt setting typical of the Savoy Alps.
Col du Mollard lake – Albiez-Montrond
The Col du Mollard lake, located in Albiez-Montrond, offers high-altitude swimming in clean, cool water (23.5°C at the height of summer) with a panoramic view of Mont Emy and the Aiguilles d’Arves. Enjoy two supervised swimming areas during the summer season, one of which is limited to a depth of 1.5m. The atmosphere here is distinctly mountain-like.
Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves lake
The 1,800 m² Saint-Sorlin lake offers swimming in a preserved alpine setting, in the heart of the Sybelles massif. It is a site appreciated for its tranquillity and mountain scenery. In summer, enjoy an inflatable water feature. Swimming is supervised in July and August.
Les Oudins Lake – Villargondran
The Oudins lake in Villargondran is open all year round and swimming is supervised during the summer holidays. It offers a chance to cool off at a small local spot in the Arvan Valley, popular for its tranquillity and natural setting.
Lakes and leisure centres in the valleys of Savoie
Alongside its major lakes and mountain resorts, Savoie also offers numerous lakes and leisure centres located in the valleys. These sites, often developed or natural, are perfect for family outings or refreshing breaks close to the villages.
Beach at the Saint-Jean-de-Chevelu lake
The lake at Saint-Jean-de-Chevelu offers a natural swimming spot in a peaceful setting, at the foot of the Mont du Chat massif, next to the campsite. This secluded beach allows you to enjoy pleasant water in a preserved valley environment. Supervised beach with paid access (except for campsite residents) in July and August.
Motz Leisure Centre Beach
Motz Beach, located in the Savoyard Rhône region, offers a supervised swimming area in summer, within the leisure centre. It is a popular spot for its natural setting and tranquillity, ideal for a refreshing break.
Serrières-en-Chautagne Beach
Covered in fine gravel and pebbles, Serrières-en-Chautagne beach offers a swimming area in a 7,000 m² artificial lake, surrounded by shaded lawns. This site offers a peaceful, natural atmosphere, perfect for summer relaxation, at the foot of the village.
Versants d’Aime Leisure Centre – Le Gothard, La Plagne-Tarentaise
The Versants d’Aime Leisure Centre, situated between Aime and Bourg-Saint-Maurice, features a 1.3-hectare lakeside area set in lush green surroundings. A sandy beach offers supervised swimming in July and August, alongside the popular greenway , frequented by cyclists and walkers. You can also enjoy a range of sports and leisure activities here.
Hurtières lake – Saint-Alban-d’Hurtières
Saint-Alban-d’Hurtières lake offers a natural swimming spot in the heart of the Maurienne Valley. Surrounded by greenery, this lake offers supervised swimming in summer.
Lake Carouge – Saint-Pierre-d’Albigny
Lake Carouge in Saint-Pierre-d’Albigny offers a designated swimming area in the heart of the Combe de Savoie valley. Surrounded by lush green landscapes, it is a popular spot for relaxation and family swimming. Open and supervised from 1 July to 31 August, admission fee applies.
Sainte-Hélène-sur-Isère lake
© Pays d'Albertville
The Sainte-Hélène-sur-Isère lake is a natural swimming spot in the Tarentaise Valley. It’s ideal for a refreshing break and is supervised in summer.
Les Glières Lake - Grignon
The Grignon lake is a natural swimming spot in the Tarentaise Valley. Surrounded by greenery, it offers a simple and pleasant setting for summer swimming, appreciated for its tranquillity and accessibility. Open and supervised from 1 June to 31 August.
Grésy-sur-Isère lake
© Pays d'Albertville
The Grésy-sur-Isère lake is a natural swimming spot in the Tarentaise Valley. It offers a pleasant setting, with a river and green surroundings perfect for relaxation. Swimming is permitted and supervised only in July and August.
Saint-Colomban-des-Villards lake
Open from 4 July to 30 August, the Saint-Colomban-des-Villards lake offers a more secluded supervised swimming area in a valley of the Maurienne that has remained very authentic and uncrowded. Make the most of the Perrière leisure area.
Lake Bleu – Saint-Rémy-de-Maurienne
Lac Bleu in Saint-Rémy-de-Maurienne offers a designated swimming area in the heart of the Maurienne Valley, supervised in summer. This lake has a family-friendly atmosphere appreciated by locals and holidaymakers alike.
Challes-les-Eaux lake
Located at the foot of Mont Saint-Michel and close to the town centre, the Challes-les-Eaux lake offers a swimming area in its southern section, open all year round but unsupervised. It is an ideal spot for a family day out near Chambéry.
Îles du Chéran Leisure Centre – Lescheraines
The Îles du Chéran Leisure Centre in Lescheraines offers a designated swimming area in the heart of the Bauges massif, open and supervised from 29 June to 29 August. This very family-friendly site combines a beach, swimming areas and outdoor activities in a preserved natural environment.
Campsites in Savoie to enjoy the swimming spots
With over 90 campsites in Savoie, the department offers a wide choice of accommodation for holidays by the water. Some campsites even enjoy a prime location right next to major lakes, water bodies or leisure centres, making it easy to enjoy the region’s most beautiful swimming spots.
The Huttopia Lac d’Aiguebelette**** campsite in Saint-Alban-de-Montbel enjoys direct access to Lake Aiguebelette, at the beach of the Sougey leisure centre.
Among the ten or so campsites near Lake Bourget, the camping international de l’île aux Cygnes*** in Le Bourget-du-Lac enjoys an exceptional location on the shores of the lake: It offers direct access to a gently sloping private beach stretching for around 150 metres, which is lifeguarded in summer. The campsite is also close to the municipal beach at Le Bourget-du-Lac.
The Huttopia Bozel en Vanoise** campsite is located around 300 metres from Bozel Lake, a designated swimming area that is supervised in July and August and is much loved for its alpine setting. Just 5 km from the lake, you’ll find the Huttopia Vanoise** campsite, situated in Champagny-en-Vanoise.
The Versants d’Aime leisure centre is easily accessible from the L’Eden de la Vanoise*** campsite in Landry (6 minutes), Huttopia Bourg-Saint-Maurice**** (15 minutes), and the Le Reclus*** municipal campsite in Séez (20 minutes).
Practical advice on swimming in Savoie
Swimming in Savoie is only supervised in July and August at certain sites: it is therefore advisable to check the times and days of supervision before setting off. It is important to keep a constant eye on children, even on supervised beaches or in shallow water.
Before swimming, it is advisable to check the water quality and any restrictions in force.
Finally, as these natural areas are fragile and very busy in summer, please respect the environment and leave the area clean after your visit.