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From Lake Geneva to the Pyrenees, five experiences to cool off on the great lakes of France

2020-08-15T06:22:35.445Z


The blue expanses nestled at the foot of the peaks offer nautical activities and aquatic pleasures. Here are five ideas for summer, and beyond.


Canoeing on Lake Bourget (Savoie)

Bordered by the Bauges massif and the last foothills of the Jura, the largest natural lake in France deploys its shades of blue over 18 kilometers long and 3.5 wide. From the top of its 1390 meters of altitude, La Dent du Chat falls steeply there to offer a wild and steep west shore whose small coves can be reached only by water.

From the Lac du Bourget, we embark in a canoe to enjoy the water level of this place that had inspired the romantic Lamartine his famous poem: The Lake . We dock on these small wild coves of pebbles, for a shady break and a refreshing swim; the fittest will row to the famous Hautecombe Abbey with its Gothic architecture.

Chambéry Le Bourget Canoë-Kayak, 223 chemin du Pailleret, 73370 Le-Bourget-du-Lac. Phone. : 06 52 91 33 13. 20 € for a half-day rental.

OR SLEEP ?

The Lost Turquoise

A perched guest room that offers a view of the lake and peaks as well as direct access to a small private beach. The whole of this house with contemporary lines runs on renewable energies… even the jacuzzi on the terrace. Night from 150 € for two people.

La Turquoise Égarée, 2900 route du Lac, 73370 Bourdeau. Phone. : 06 50 91 04 96.

To read also: The Incomparable hotel in Aix-les-Bains, on the Bourget lake: the expert opinion of Le Figaro

GETTING THERE

By direct TGV Paris-Aix-les-Bains (3 hours). One hour by car from Lyon via the A43 or from Geneva via the A41.

Kite-surfing on Lake Serre-Ponçon (Hautes-Alpes)

On the Serre-Ponçon lake a steady west / southwest wind favors kitesurfing. The Naturographer

At the foot of the Ecrins National Park and just two hours from Marseille, the high-alpine lake fed by the powerful rivers Durance and Ubaye, has many assets. There are of course the 300 days of sunshine per year, as well as water at 20 ° and finally the mountains which, in addition to their beauty, create thermal breezes ideal for navigation. This steady west / southwest wind, which can reach 25 knots in summer, makes France's largest water reservoir a paradise for kitesurfers.

The historic school is at the freshwater beach, wide enough to accommodate the sails on the ground and enjoy the show. A second school opened last summer in Fisherman's Bay, a more confidential and wilder spot, with a view of the Pic de Morgon. From 130 € the group lesson (3 pers. Maximum) of 3 hours for Altitude Kite and 160 € for Kite Legend.

OR SLEEP ?

Peaks

In Les Orres, in one of the most beautiful valleys of the Serre-Ponçon country, this charming guest house with modern and minimalist decor offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding valleys and peaks. From 130 € per night.

Cimes, 26 rue des Villandrins, 05200 Les Orres. Phone. : 06 64 54 89 38.

GETTING THERE

Direct trains from Paris and Marseille to Chorges and Embrun station. By car from Grenoble via the Napoleon road then RN 85.

Izyfoil on Lake Annecy (Haute-Savoie)

Four locals have invented a new way of surfing on Lake Annecy, in Haute-Savoie. David Malacrida lifestyle / Lac tournette sailboat

We no longer present this lake of glacial origin with turquoise waters reaching 25 ° in summer, a stone's throw from Mont-Blanc. All around, a summer effervescence reigns from the old town with bridges and canals to its 13th century castle, through its ten supervised beaches. To experience the joys of skiing without adding noise, four local inventors have developed an electrically powered surfboard. Offered to the general public for the first time this summer on Angon beach, this homemade device allows you to enjoy the sensations of surfing or wakeboarding (towed by a boat), while preserving the purest lake in Europe. . Ideal in the early morning when the lake water is perfectly smooth or in the early evening, when the sun sets the peaks ablaze.

Izyfoil, 23 Faubourg Sainte-Claire, 74000 Annecy. Phone. : 04 50 45 60 61. From 149 € / hour, possibility of shooting with two or three people. On reservation.

Read also: Around Lake Annecy, between the castle, beaches and cycling

OR SLEEP ?

Beau Site Talloires

A well-named hotel on the eastern shore of the Lake, right on the water with an exceptional view, wooded park and private pontoon. Le Beau Site has so much charm that it was taken over in 2015 by clients who had fallen in love with it. From 160 €.

Beau Site Talloires, 118 rue André-Theuriet, BP4 74 290 Talloires. Phone. : 04 50 27 00 65.

GETTING THERE

By TGV (3h40 from Paris). By car (1h30 from Lyon) on the A43.

Fishing on the shores of Lake Génos-Loudenvielle ( Hautes-Pyrénées)

In addition to its accessible banks, the Génos-Loudenvielle lake has built 3 platforms on stilts for fishermen. Elephant eye

At an altitude of 960 meters, the lake stretches a 32 hectare mirror over the peaks of the Pyrenean valley of Louron and its beautiful little hilltop villages. The shores are widely decorated for a family audience: from walks to water sports through the famous Balnéa thermo-ludic center a few hundred meters away. But Génos-Loudenvielle is also a fisherman's paradise. In addition to its accessible banks, this lake is specifically designed for activity with three platforms on stilts accessible to people with reduced mobility. Armed with your license and local fishing card, you can quietly tease arctic char, brown trout and brook salmon.

Local fishing card € 8 / day. Fishing gear and bait for sale at local sporting goods stores. Guides offer the activity with material provided; also in the high-altitude lakes: Caillaouas and Pouchergues at a 3h30 walk. Info on lagaulelouronnaise.fr.

OR SLEEP ?

House Seignou

The view of the peaks of the Aure valley from the Nordic bath in the guest room. Maison Seignou / Press photo

By taking a little height, the setting becomes wild and this nicely revisited farmhouse has the raw charm of old stones and the warmth of a family home. The view of the peaks of the Aure valley can be admired from the bedrooms and the Nordic bath. Bed and breakfast from € 115 or chalet for 10 people at € 2,200 / week.

Maison Seignou, 65 170 Azet. Phone. : 05 62 39 19 03.

GETTING THERE

By train then bus via Luchon station located 17 km away. Two hours from Toulouse and 1h30 from Pau by car.

Sailboat on Lake Geneva (Haute-Savoie)

Lake Geneva, the largest alpine lake in Europe, brings together many sailing enthusiasts. Boat Savoy

A Franco-Swiss aquatic link, Lake Geneva may well be dominated by the Alps, but it offers Riviera-like landscapes with a temperate climate and southern vegetation. Its length (72 kilometers), its varied winds and its 200 kilometers of shores make it a major place for navigation. The largest alpine lake in Europe brings together many sailing enthusiasts, all disciplines combined. On the French shores, the town of Thonon-les-Bains, labeled France Station Nautique 4-star, is a beautiful invitation to take to the sea aboard a catamaran or a dinghy rented from the local club. For a cruise back in time from Évian les Bains, board the elegant La Savoie, a replica of the largest Latin sail boat in the world. A cruise in the world of the boatmen of the end of the 19th century who ensured the trade and the lake life.

Société Nautique du Léman Français, Port de Rives, 74200 Thonon-les-Bains. Phone. : 04 50 71 07 29. Catamaran rental from € 39 for 1h30.

Barque La Savoie, 1 place du Port de commerce, 74 500 Évian-les-Bains. Phone. : 06 48 50 52 70. One hour cruise departing from Evian: € 13 / adult and € 8 / child.

OR SLEEP ?

Hotel des Princes

The establishment, built in 1806, is also accessible by boat. Hôtel des Princes / Press photo

On the shores of Lake Geneva in the town of Publier, this beautiful building built in 1806, completely renovated in 2017, is also accessible by boat! The view over the crystal clear waters of the lake, the Jura and the Swiss shore gives this elegant family hotel a special status. From 100 € per night.

Hôtel des Princes, 2121 avenue de la Rive 74500 Publish. Phone. : 04 50 75 02 94.

GETTING THERE

By direct TGV train Paris-Évian (4h15) and new Léman Express network: Genève-Évian (1h06).

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2020-08-15

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