In this article:
- Major swimming lakes in Isère: Lake Paladru – The Laffrey Lakes
- Other lakes and bodies of water for swimming in Isère
- Leisure centres for family swimming
- Campsites near lakes and swimming spots in Isère
- Practical tips
Lake Paladru, a must-visit for swimming in Isère
Nicknamed the ‘blue lake’, Lake Paladru is one of the main swimming spots in Isère. It offers comfortable swimming with a water temperature of around 24° every year. It has several well-equipped beaches dotted around its shores, where swimming is supervised, allowing you to enjoy it in complete safety. Find out more about the beaches at Lake Paladru.
Charavines Beach
Charavines Beach is the only free beach on Lake Paladru, with lifeguards on duty on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays in July and August. Situated to the south of the lake, it offers a large, well-equipped swimming area with clear, shallow water. Very popular in summer, it has leisure facilities and shaded areas, making it one of the lake’s most popular access points.
Paladru Municipal Beach
Situated on the north-western shore, Paladru Municipal Beach is a developed beach that is lifeguard-supervised from early June to late August. There is an admission charge during supervised swimming hours. On site, you can enjoy water sports hire and a children’s play area. Next to the beach is the Paladru Lake Archaeological Museum.
Le Pin Beach
More secluded and smaller, Le Pin Plage offers a quieter setting on the western shore of the lake. Swimming is supervised here in summer (at weekends and on public holidays from 20 June, and every day in July and August) and there is an admission charge. It is a popular spot for its peaceful atmosphere and unspoilt natural surroundings, and is generally less crowded than the main beaches.
Montferrat Beach
Situated on the north-eastern shore of Lake Paladru, Montferrat Beach offers a large stretch of beach (including pebbles) and a gently sloping supervised swimming area, ideal for families. There is an entry charge during supervised swimming hours; the beach is closed at other times, except for residents of the campsite located at on the estate. The beach is open at weekends in June and then every day in July and August, subject to weather conditions.
Beau Rivage Beach in Charavines
Beau Rivage Beach is a private, unsupervised beach on Lake Paladru. There is an admission charge. It offers a more upmarket setting and unobstructed views of the lake, with facilities designed for relaxation.
The Laffrey Lakes: swimming and beaches in Matheysine
Situated on the Matheysine plateau, the lakes of Laffrey and Pétichet are among the main swimming spots in southern Isère. Surrounded by mountains, they offer several well-maintained beaches where you can enjoy water that is generally pleasant in summer, in a preserved natural setting. Swimming is permitted but unsupervised.
Bergogne Beach in Cholonge
Bergogne Beach is the main access point to Lake Laffrey from the south, set in pleasant natural surroundings. This small, narrow beach is adjacent to the water sports centre, which offers paddleboard, sailing boat and windsurf board hire. Swimming is permitted here, but the beach is unsupervised.
North Beach of Lake Laffrey
A few kilometres from the village of Laffrey, the North Beach offers a vast pebble beach on the shores of the lake’s deep blue waters. Very popular with families, it features leisure facilities, a canoe, kayak and rowing centre, and offers pedalos for hire. As at Bergogne , swimming here is unsupervised. Access to the beach is free, although there is a charge for parking during the season.
Miradou Beach, Lake Pétichet in Saint-Théoffrey
Situated on the shores of Lake Pétichet, Miradou Beach offers a pleasant spot to relax amongst pebbles and lawns in the heart of the Matheysine plateau. Swimming is permitted but unsupervised. Boats are prohibited, which helps to preserve the tranquillity of the area.
Other lakes and bodies of water for swimming in Isère
As well as the larger lakes, Isère also has several other lakes and bodies of water where swimming is permitted. Whether more secluded or more natural, these sites offer a variety of settings to cool off in summer, with varying levels of facilities and supervision depending on the location.
Lake Sautet in Corps
Situated on the border between Isère and the Hautes-Alpes, Lake Sautet offers one of the most beautiful swimming spots in the southern part of the department. This vast body of water is surrounded by mountains and forests, offering spectacular scenery. The main swimming area is at the beach by the Sautet water sports centre in Corps, where you can hire stand-up paddleboards, canoes and electric boats. Swimming is permitted and supervised in July and August only. Access to the beach is free.
Lake Roybon
Situated in the heart of the Chambaran Forest, Lake Roybon is a popular spot for its lush green surroundings and family-friendly atmosphere. A well-maintained beach offers a n swimming during the summer months. Access to the site is free and open all year round. Swimming is permitted but unsupervised.
Lake Mirande in Allevard-les-Bains
Situated in the Grésivaudan Valley, Lake Mirande is a lovely body of water, popular for its natural setting, family-friendly atmosphere and easy access. Covering an area of 17,000 m² and with a maximum depth of 1.70 metres, it charms visitors with its lush green surroundings and the magnificent fountain that stands proudly in the centre, adding to the site’s unique charm.
Swimming is permitted during the summer months, although the lake is not lifeguarded. The lake has a small sandy beach as well as landscaped banks ideal for relaxation. Its shaded banks are perfect for resting, picnicking and simply taking in the peaceful surroundings. Find out more.
Valbonnais Lake
Situated on the edge of the Écrins National Park, Valbonnais Lake offers a mountain setting perfect for relaxation and gentle water sports. It is surrounded by lawns and has a small sandy beach, ideal for children to play on. Swimming is permitted but unsupervised. The site also offers a range of water sports on the lake, including paddleboard, canoe and stand-up paddleboard hire.
Alpe du Grand Serre lake, in La Morte
Located in the commune of La Morte, in the heart of the Taillefer massif, the Alpe du Grand Serre lake is the coolest spot in the Matheysine region. It offers free access for swimming in summer amidst a mountain setting. On site, old windsurf boards are used as stand-up paddle s and are available free of charge so you can enjoy the water. The swimming area is unsupervised.
The site also features a shallow swimming area right next to the lake and the playground, ideal for younger children.
Lake of La Buissonnière in Les Deux Alpes
Located at the entrance to the resort, Lake La Buissonnière is a man-made mountain lake dedicated to leisure activities, such as the playground and the pétanque area. Swimming is supervised in July and August by qualified staff.
Leisure centres for family swimming
For a family day out by the water, Isère also boasts several leisure centres. These sites generally feature child-friendly facilities, relaxation areas and amenities designed to ensure you can enjoy a swim in the best possible conditions.
Bois Français Leisure Centre, in Saint-Ismier
Located about fifteen kilometres from Grenoble, the Bois Français leisure centre stretches around four lakes, each designed for specific uses. Open in the summer, the site attracts visitors with its shaded areas, leisure facilities and water sports. For swimming, head to Lake Taillefer, where the supervised swimming area is open from late May to late August, and then at weekends until mid-September. Free activities are available with no registration required once you’ve paid the entrance fee to the swimming area.
Marandan Leisure Centre, in Saint-Romans
Situated at the foot of the Vercors massif, the Marandan Leisure Centre is one of the main swimming spots in southern Isère. Its developed lake area offers supervised swimming in July and August in a pleasant natural setting. The site also features spacious relaxation areas and offers a range of water sports, including stand-up paddleboarding and canoeing and kayaking. There is an admission charge.
La Terrasse Inter-municipal Leisure Centre
Situated in La Terrasse, in the heart of the Grésivaudan Valley, at the foot of the Belledonne and Chartreuse mountain ranges, the La Terrasse Leisure Centre is an ideal place to cool off and enjoy a day out with the family. Its leafy setting, fine sandy beach and the recognised quality of its water make it one of the most popular swimming spots in the region.
Swimming is supervised in summer, with opening hours gradually increasing from June onwards, then daily in July and August. Visitors can also enjoy a wide range of water activities that are very popular with children and teenagers. There is an admission charge. Find out more.
Vénérieu Swimming Lake
Situated in the Balcons du Dauphiné, Vénérieu Swimming Lake is a developed body of water open in July and August. This 4-metre-deep lake features a fine sandy beach and a 3,000 m² supervised swimming area during the summer season. Visitors can also try their hand at stand-up paddleboarding thanks to an on-site hire service. There is an admission charge.
Pont-en-Royans Leisure Centre
On the banks of the Bourne, discover the Pont-en-Royans leisure area, an idyllic spot perfect for relaxation, offering breathtaking views of the village’s iconic hanging houses. Enjoy a swim (unsupervised) in the carved-out pools, complete with a waterfall to cool you off.
Campsites near lakes and swimming spots in Isère
Several campsites in Isère allow you to stay right next to the department’s main swimming spots. Around Lake Paladru, in the Grésivaudan Valley or in Matheysine, they make a great base from which to enjoy the beaches, lakes and leisure centres featured in this article. Here is a selection:
The Détente et Clapotis**** campsite is an ideal base for enjoying Lake Paladru. The campsite is situated right on the lakeshore and manages Montferrat Beach, one of the main organised beaches in the area. Holidaymakers thus enjoy privileged (and free) access to the lake’s water sports and swimming areas.
Lake Mirande is easily accessible from several campsites in Allevard. Idéal Camping*** is situated around 800 metres from the lake, whilst the Clair Matin*** campsite is nearly 3 kilometres away. Both campsites offer quick access to this popular swimming spot, renowned for its small sandy beach and natural setting at the foot of the Belledonne massif.
Located in Saint-Laurent-en-Beaumont, the Belvédère de l’Obiou**** campsite is a great base from which to explore several swimming spots in the Matheysine region. The Laffrey Lakes are about fifteen kilometres away, whilst the Valbonnais and Alpe du Grand Serre lakes are less than half an hour’s drive away.
The Lac*** campsite in Roybon offers easy access to swimming in the lake.
Practical tips for swimming in Isère
Swimming spots in Isère are very varied, ranging from developed lakes and leisure centres to more natural areas. Before heading out, it is important to check the swimming conditions and, where available, whether there are supervised areas. Supervision is essential, particularly for children, who must remain under adult supervision, even in supervised areas. Outside supervised areas, extra vigilance is required when swimming.
It is also advisable to check the water quality before swimming, particularly following severe weather events that may cause a temporary deterioration in conditions.
Finally, as these sites are natural or developed areas that are very popular in summer, it is essential to respect the environment: do not leave rubbish behind, take care of the riverbanks and use the designated swimming areas.