Around twenty beaches line the shores of Lac du Bourget — France’s largest natural lake, set between Chambéry and the spa town of Aix-les-Bains in the heart of the Savoie Alps. From mid-June to mid-September, water temperatures regularly reach 20–25°C, and water quality has improved steadily in recent years thanks to concerted environmental efforts by the surrounding municipalities. Whether you are after a lively sandy beach, a peaceful wild cove or a family-friendly spot with full facilities, Lac du Bourget has it all. Here is our complete guide to the 18 best swimming beaches on the lake.
In this guide:
- A detailed, illustrated guide to all 18 swimming beaches on Lac du Bourget.
- A map of the beaches.
- Our selection by beach style — family, natural, urban, exclusive and dog-friendly.
Contents:
Beaches on Lac du Bourget by Style
Most Exclusive
Plage du Lido at Tresserve — a private setting with sun loungers, parasols and a gastronomic restaurant. For a chic and refined atmosphere, this is the one. Plage de Brison-Saint-Innocent also has sun loungers available.
Best Sandy Beach
Plage d’Aix-les-Bains is the largest on the lake, with a long sandy strip and floating water games in summer. For a quieter alternative with similar features, try Plage du Rowing.
Most Urban
Aix-les-Bains has two city beaches: Plage du Rowing at the northern end and Plage de Mémard, close to the main marina. A genuine seaside resort atmosphere — without the sea.
Most Dog-Friendly
For a swim with your dog, head to the unofficial spots: the little beach at Charpignat, the shell beach at Terre Nue, the pebble bank between Terre Nue and Le Lido, or Plage de Lamartine. There is also a dedicated dog beach next to Plage de Mémard in Aix-les-Bains.
Best for Families
Plage du Bourget-du-Lac ticks every box: shallow water, jetties, children’s play equipment, a snack bar and shaded lawns. Other family-friendly options: Plage d’Aix-les-Bains with its floating inflatables, and Plage des Mottets, ideal for small children with its enclosed swimming basin and large lawns.
Most Natural
The mini-beach at Lamartine in Bourdeau — tiny, wild and perfect at sunrise. At Châtillon, a gravel beach offers a magnificent lake view, as does Plage de Conjux, ideal for a peaceful swim in natural surroundings.
Most Secret
A hidden mini-beach near Bourdeau, not far from the Grotte de Lamartine — accessible after a short walk, and perfect for a moment of complete tranquillity.
Naturist Swimming
There is no official naturist beach on Lac du Bourget, but enthusiasts tend to gather in the area between Baie de Grésine and Brison-Saint-Innocent, along the railway line.
Complete Guide to the Beaches of Lac du Bourget — North to South
Below, the beaches of Lac du Bourget in order from north to south, with the map first.
Plage de Conjux — Swimming in the Heart of the Village
A large free beach with lifeguards in summer, a vast lawn and easy water access. An excellent choice for a family day out, with canoe and pedalo hire on site.
Plage de Châtillon — Swimming with a Panoramic View
A gravel beach fully south-facing, with an exceptional panorama over the lake. A natural, unspoilt atmosphere — swimming here feels like a Mediterranean calanque, near the village port and château.
Plage de Brison-Saint-Innocent — A Corner of Paradise on Lac du Bourget
One of the finest beaches on the lake. A free beach on a natural promontory jutting into the water, with a large shaded lawn and direct lake access. A perfect spot for a peaceful swim with a view. Paid parking in summer.
Plage de Mémard — Swimming beside the Marina at Aix-les-Bains
An urban beach with a supervised swimming area, easy access and a dedicated dog beach nearby. Ideal for a relaxed afternoon by the lake in the heart of Aix-les-Bains.
Plage d’Aix-les-Bains — The Finest Family Beach on the Lake
The largest sandy beach on the lake — perfect for families with its fine sand, shallow water and floating water inflatables available in summer.
Plage du Rowing — A Late-Afternoon Swimming Spot
Adjacent to Plage d’Aix-les-Bains, with a pleasant setting and easy access. A popular spot for a late-afternoon swim, with boat hire available nearby.
Plage du Lido — Chic Swimming at Tresserve
A public and private beach with a gastronomic restaurant and sun loungers. The ideal spot for an exclusive day of swimming and relaxation, with spectacular sunset views across the lake.
Cap des Séselets and the Lakeshore — Tresserve and Viviers-du-Lac
Between Le Lido and Terre Nue, pebble banks and jetties attract swimmers even though these are not official beaches. Access to the water is fairly steep. Not recommended for families with young children — stick to the proper beaches for those.
Plage des Coquillages at Terre Nue — A Village Lagoon
A small wild beach with a floor carpeted in tiny shells — ideal for an unusual and peaceful swim by the lake in the hamlet of Terre Nue. It has a lagoon-like quality that makes it feel surprisingly exotic.
Plage des Mottets — Supervised Swimming and Family Space
A paid beach in summer, offering a large supervised swimming basin and a children’s area. Close to Chambéry, it is a perfect family destination.
Plage de l’Île aux Cygnes — Swimming Facing the Lake
A gravel beach with a panoramic view of the lake. Calm water ideal for a relaxing swim, particularly enjoyable in the morning.
Plage du Bourget-du-Lac — The All-Comfort Family Beach
A paid beach in summer — ideal for families with water play areas, shallow water, diving boards, shaded lawns and a snack bar. Free parking, a lakeside cycle path and bus connections to Chambéry and Aix-les-Bains. Popular in season — mornings and early evenings are best.
Plage de Charpignat — A Small Intimate Cove
Near the Charpignat port, this small, intimate beach is perfect for a quick and refreshing dip in clear water. Dog-friendly.
Plage de Lamartine — A Wild and Secret Swimming Spot
Set in an exceptional natural environment, this beach is accessible on foot from the port of Bourdeau — perfect for an early-morning swim in a truly enchanting setting. Named after the French Romantic poet Alphonse de Lamartine, who drew inspiration from these shores.
And Elsewhere?
Informal swimming spots can also be found along the road between Chindrieux and Brison-Saint-Innocent, where several small car parks allow you to stop and take a dip. A few swimmers also make use of the lakeside path between Plage de Mémard and Brison. On the western “wild shore” of the lake, the mountain drops directly into the water — there are no beaches on that side.
FAQ — Swimming on Lac du Bourget
For us, the most beautiful beach on Lac du Bourget is Plage de Brison-Saint-Innocent. Set on a natural promontory jutting into the lake, it offers sweeping views — particularly of the dramatic Dent du Chat cliff that towers above the western shore.
Plage du Bourget-du-Lac — with its water play area, shallow swimming, diving boards, shaded lawns and snack bar. Plage d’Aix-les-Bains is an excellent alternative, especially for its floating inflatables.
Conjux, Châtillon, Mémard and Brison-Saint-Innocent are all entirely free. Several informal swimming spots along the shore are also free and unguarded.
The dog beach near Plage de Mémard in Aix-les-Bains, the Plage de Charpignat cove, and the informal spots at Terre Nue and along the cap at Séselets are all good dog-friendly options.
Plage de Châtillon and Plage de Brison-Saint-Innocent both offer extraordinary panoramas over the lake and the surrounding mountains, including the iconic Dent du Chat.
There is no official naturist beach on Lac du Bourget, but informal spots between Brison-Saint-Innocent and the Baie de Grésine are known to attract naturists.
Yes. Lac du Bourget is France’s largest natural lake and water quality has improved significantly in recent decades. The lake is regularly monitored and most beaches have excellent water quality ratings. For maximum safety, swim at supervised beaches — lifeguards are on duty at the main beaches in July and August.
Last Tips for a Great Swim
- Go early — the most popular beaches are far more enjoyable in the morning or late afternoon. Before 10am, you will have the water almost to yourself.
- Come prepared — many beaches have gravel or pebble shores rather than sand. Water shoes are recommended.
- Respect the environment — Lac du Bourget is a protected natural site. Take all your litter with you.