Lake Aiguebelette: A Paradisiacal Setting In Savoie
Lake Aiguebelette has turquoise waters worthy of a Polynesian lagoon. And yet, there is no need to travel to the other side of the planet to enjoy this paradisiacal scenery. I invite you to discover this astonishing lake located... in Savoie!
Where is Lake Aiguebelette?
Lake Aiguebelette is one of the jewels of the French Alps. Nestled in the hollow of the Épine mountain, in the Savoyard foreland, it is the smallest of the four lakes of Savoie Mont-Blanc.
It is located about twenty kilometers west of Chambéry in the Savoie department. It is about an hour's drive from Grenoble via the A41 or the departmental road D921.
Why is it nicknamed the Tahiti of the Alps?
Like a precious gem set in a mountain case, this triangular-shaped lake surprises visitors with its emerald or turquoise waters. On its shores, fine sandy beaches give swimmers the impression of being in Polynesia in Tahiti...
The illusion is all the more perfect because Lake Aiguebelette is one of the warmest natural lakes in Europe. The water temperature can reach 28°C in summer. Its calm waters are particularly conducive to swimming as the lake is sheltered from the wind by the Épine mountain. But be careful: swimming is only allowed on supervised beaches!
Where does the color of Lake Aiguebelette come from?
Faced with the incredible color of Lake Aiguebelette in Savoie, many visitors wonder about the origin of this unusual shade of green. Even though this color may be intriguing, don't worry! This hue is perfectly natural.
When the lake's water warms up, plankton develops, and that's what gives the lake its emerald color. Analyses have shown the presence of 93 different species of phytoplankton in this lake. This natural phenomenon is all the more visible because it is one of the purest lakes in Europe.
To protect this remarkable ecosystem, the lake has been classified as a Natura 2000 site, and a regional nature reserve covering more than 800 hectares was created in 2015.
What activities are possible at Lake Aiguebelette?
Lake Aiguebelette is a protected area. In particular, motorized navigation is prohibited. However, you can use Polynesian canoes to move on its waters!
This magnificent site is also suitable for swimming as beaches have been developed in the five municipalities around the lake: Nances, Novalaise, Saint-Alban-de-Montbel, Lépin-le-Lac, and Aiguebelette-le-Lac.
The absence of wind makes it difficult to practice sailing sports. But you can console yourself by practicing rowing or stand-up paddleboarding... Cycling enthusiasts can enjoy the bike path developed around the lake.
If you want to discover this paradisiacal setting from an even more spectacular angle, you can also fly over the lake in a paraglider! Paragliders usually take off from the crest of L'Épine to enjoy the landscape before landing near the lake, at the Marais.
For more information about the activities and tourist attractions offered around the lake and its surroundings, I invite you to visit the Savoie Mont-Blanc Tourist Office website (see the link below).
