Lac du Bourget

Aix les Bains and Lac du Bourget!

Lac du Bourget, in the heart of Savoie

Your first impression as you stroll along the shores of Lac du Bourget near the port of Aix-les-Bains is of being in a fjord. A breeze sweeps along the shores, the sun shines on the ripples, and in front of you the imposing mass of the steep mountain that occupies the western shore of the lake forces you to look north... and there you realize the impressive size of France's largest lake. Unlike Lake Annecyit's actually its length and position between two mountains that give it that fjord-like feel. Especially in winter, when the distant horizon is transformed into a misty shoreline that appears even further away than it is.

In summer, you can bathe in waters approaching 25 degrees on the Bourget du Lac side, admiring the sunny shores of Aix les Bains, and watch the sun set over the peaks of the BelledonneAlternatively, you can pedal along the cycle path on the other side of the lake to the small seaside resort of Brison Saint Innocent.

The Châtillon site, topped by a castle, is home to a small marina and a beautiful south-facing beach, ideal for a sunset aperitif or the last few days of swimming in late September.

For history buffs, Hautecombe Abbey tells the story of the House of Savoy in a strategic, remote location, while old stone enthusiasts can stop off at the village of Chanaz downstream from the lake, on the Savière canal which flows into the Rhône.

Aix les Bains, Riviera des Alpes

Of course, Aix-les-Bains, both a seaside and spa town, awaits you for a stroll through the narrow streets of the town center, in its park, or along a long promenade between the small and large harbors. Benches in the shade of tall trees offer contemplative breaks from the summer heat: the proximity of the lake provides coolness, and the lake's reflections encourage you to close your eyes and take a rest.

Water sports are very much in evidence all around the lake, and at the Aix les Bains water sports center you can try your hand at everything from paddleboarding and sailing to kayaking, kitesurfing and diving! It's not for nothing that the shores of Aix are known as the Riviera des Alpes.

Panoramic views of Lac du Bourget

A lake can also be viewed from above, and if paragliding isn't your cup of tea, you can always admire the scenery from the viewpoints at La Chambotte and La Dent du Chat.

On the Col de la Chambotte, a restaurant opens its bays and terrace overlooking the lake: the sunsets are majestic and romantic.

Above Aix les Bains, the belvedere footbridge at Le Revard suspends you over the lake, which lies more than a thousand meters below. Interestingly, Le Revard is part of the Savoie Grand Revard mountain resort, whose cross-country ski trails join the forests and plateaus of La Féclaz. These two resorts also offer downhill skiing on a few slopes suitable for beginners, and magnificent snowshoeing when the snow covers the dense forests of these first foothills of the Bauges massif.

In summer, dozens of kilometers of panoramic trails, hidden away in the forest, offer a nearby alternative to lazy days by the lake. In just a few kilometers, you can go from a seaside atmosphere to a truly mountainous one!

Lac du Bourget is the beach at Chambéry, the Riviera at Aix les Bains, the playground for water sports enthusiasts, the workplace for fishermen, cyclists and mountain hikers... but don't worry, it's so big that there's room for everyone!

Discover this region by reading the following articles from the AlpAddict blog!

Discover Lac du Bourget on video

The best webcams around Lac du Bourget

(click on the village name)

• Belvédère de la Chambotte :how can you not marvel at the view!
• Aix-les-BainsA view of the port and the blue waters of the lake.
• Le Bourget du LacLe Bourget du Lac: you'll discover the full extent of the lake: from the north, to Le Revard above Aix les Bains, and all the way to the snow-capped peaks of Belledonne.
• Châtillon-ChindrieuxChâtillon-Chindrieux: opposite Bourget du Lac, a south-facing view for this webcam.
• Revardand of course the region's must-see Belvedere, the Revard!
• Revard resortRevard: on one side there's the lake, but on the other, it's a ski resort. Discover the snow, the forests and the view of Mont Blanc.

Activities not to be missed around Lac du Bourget