Top 6 Lakes around Saint-Michel-De-Maurienne

For supervised swimming and recreational facilities, the Plan d'eau des Oudins in Villargondran and the Base de Loisirs du Lac Bleu in Saint-Rémy-de-Maurienne are excellent choices. Both offer monitored water quality and amenities during the summer season. While other mountain lakes like Lac du Lou, Lac des Cerces, and Lac de Bissorte are beautiful, their glacial origins mean the water is typically very cold for swimming.

Yes, several lakes are suitable for families. Lac Vert in Valmeinier is noted for its relatively easy access, even with young children, and offers panoramic views. The Plan d'eau des Oudins and Base de Loisirs du Lac Bleu also provide family-friendly environments with amenities like picnic areas, playgrounds, and supervised swimming.

The Maurienne Valley offers a variety of hiking trails around its lakes. For example, the hike to Lac du Lou from Lac des Bruyères provides magnificent views, and there's a refuge for a break. Lac Vert is accessible via a well-marked trail considered easy to medium. For more challenging routes, the path to Black Rock Lake requires some physical condition but is doable with older children. You can find more detailed hiking routes in the Running Trails around Saint-Michel-De-Maurienne guide, which includes trails like the 'Plan d'eau des Culées loop'.

Absolutely. The region around Saint-Michel-De-Maurienne and its lakes is popular for cycling. Lac de Bissorte, for instance, is a great spot for mountain biking with trails offering panoramic vistas. You can explore various routes in the MTB Trails around Saint-Michel-De-Maurienne guide and the Gravel biking around Saint-Michel-De-Maurienne guide, which feature routes like the 'Col du Télégraphe loop'.

The lakes offer diverse natural attractions. The Base de Loisirs du Lac Bleu features an impressive 30-meter high water jet, considered the largest natural water jet in Europe. Lac du Lou is a natural lake formed by a rockslide and is an exceptional nature spot with diverse flora and fauna, including newts, common frogs, and brown trout. Lac Vert is known for its captivating turquoise hues in summer and orange reflections in autumn, with colors attributed to algae.

Yes, several lakes in the Maurienne Valley are suitable for fishing. Lac des Cerces is a fishable lake known for its technical fishing opportunities. Lac de Bissorte permits fishing for brown trout, rainbow trout, and Arctic char. Additionally, Lac des Culées and Lake La Vieille are artificial lakes where fishing is possible.

The best time to visit depends on your desired activities. Summer (July and August) is ideal for swimming and water activities at recreational lakes like Plan d'eau des Oudins and Lac Bleu, where supervised swimming is available. For hiking and enjoying the alpine scenery, late spring to early autumn (June to September) offers pleasant weather. In autumn, lakes like Lac Vert display beautiful orange reflections. Some areas, like Lac du Lou, are also popular for winter activities.

Yes, some lakes offer amenities. The Plan d'eau des Oudins has a bar-restaurant and picnic tables. Lac du Lou features the Refuge du Lac du Lou, which provides accommodation, dining, and a warm welcome in both summer and winter. The Base de Loisirs du Lac Bleu also has picnic areas and paddle boat rentals during peak season.

Access varies by lake. Many lakes, especially the high-altitude ones, require hiking to reach. For example, Lac de Bissorte is accessible via a forest track, either by car to a car park followed by a walk, or by various marked hiking trails. The Plan d'eau des Oudins and Base de Loisirs du Lac Bleu are generally more accessible by car, with parking available. For Lake La Vieille and Lac des Jeux, access can be made via ski lifts during operational seasons.

Visitors frequently praise the stunning natural beauty and the diverse outdoor activities available. The panoramic views from lakes like Lac Vert and Lac des Cerces are highly appreciated. The tranquility and idyllic surroundings, as well as the opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and family outings, are often highlighted. The presence of refuges and amenities also adds to the positive experience for many.

Yes, the Maurienne Valley includes several artificial lakes. Lac de Bissorte is a notable artificial lake created by the Bissorte Dam, offering stunning mountain views. Other artificial lakes include Lac des Culées and Lake La Vieille, both of which are popular for fishing.