Lac des Rousses
Lake Alpine lake near Jura mountains, eastern France
On the Plateau des Rousses in Jura, visitors hike and cross-country ski around this lake, swim in summer and sample nearby Comté cheese from village shops.
Lac des Rousses is a natural lake in the Jura department of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France, situated near the village and ski resort of Les Rousses in the Jura mountains.
The shoreline and surrounding plateau are used for short walks, shoreline observation and as part of the broader outdoor network of the Les Rousses area; the lake forms one element of a landscape popular for mountain and cross-country activities.
The lake formed as part of the Jura mountain landscape and has long been used by local communities for fishing and recreation; it lies among the upland pastures and forested slopes typical of the massif.
Geographically it sits in the Jura massif close to the Swiss border, adjacent to the village of Les Rousses and the wider mountain plateau of the Haut-Jura.
- Location detail: located at the edge of the Jura massif, a short distance from the Swiss border and the village of Les Rousses.
- Seasonal use: seasonal activities around the lake include walking in summer and a network of winter trails in the surrounding plateau.
How to Get to Lac des Rousses #
Lac des Rousses is reached by road from Geneva (about 1-1.5 hours) or from Besançon and Lausanne; regional buses service Les Rousses from nearby towns. There is parking near the main beaches and a local tourist office in Les Rousses for trail maps and activity info.
Tips for Visiting Lac des Rousses #
- Walk the lakeside promenade in early morning to avoid day-trippers from nearby ski resorts.
- The lake links with local cross-country ski and hiking trails-ask at the Les Rousses tourist office for maps and trail conditions.
- Avoid weekend afternoons in summer if looking for quiet; local families use the beaches then.
Best Time to Visit Lac des Rousses #
Summer for lakeside activities; winter for access to nearby ski trails and alpine scenery.
Weather & Climate near Lac des Rousses #
Lac des Rousses's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 20°C. Abundant rainfall (1403 mm/year), wettest in December, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 1°C and lows of -4°C. Significant rainfall (121 mm).
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February
February is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -4°C. Significant rainfall (118 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -2°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm).
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May
May is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (120 mm).
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June
June is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (126 mm).
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July
July is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm).
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August
August is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (118 mm).
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October
October is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (119 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -1°C. Significant rainfall (133 mm).
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December
December is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -3°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (135 mm).
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