Lac du Bourget
Lake France's deepest natural lake near Aix-les-Bains
Lac du Bourget, France’s largest natural lake near Aix‑les‑Bains, attracts boating, swimming and lakeside promenades. Visitors combine water sports with thermal-spa towns and cycling routes into the surrounding foothills.
Lac du Bourget is a glacial lake in the Savoie department of France, noted as the largest natural lake entirely within French territory. It is set in a steep-sided valley and is a focal point for lakeside towns and recreational activities.
The lake is about 18 kilometres long and reaches significant depth, making it a notable inland water body for boating, swimming and lakeside promenades; the town of Aix-les-Bains on the southern shore is a historic spa resort with tourist facilities. The lake’s setting includes wooded slopes and rolling hills of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Formed by glacial action, Lac du Bourget has long been used for leisure and seasonal tourism and remains one of Savoy’s principal natural attractions. It lies close to the city of Chambéry and is accessible by road and rail from regional transport hubs.
- Aix-les-Bains location: The town of Aix-les-Bains sits on the lake's southern shore and is a long-established spa and tourist centre.
How to Get to Lac du Bourget #
Lac du Bourget is the large lake beside the town of Aix‑les‑Bains in Savoie. The town of Aix‑les‑Bains sits on the eastern shore and is the usual base for visiting the lake; Chambéry is the nearest larger city, a short drive away (roughly 10-20 minutes depending on exact start point).
From regional hubs you reach the lake by car on the local roads serving Aix‑les‑Bains, and the town is served by regional trains and buses that connect with Chambéry and other nearby cities.
Tips for Visiting Lac du Bourget #
- Use Aix‑les‑Bains or Bourget‑du‑Lac as your arrival point and take one of the regular lake ferries or sightseeing boats to see both shores - the boat gives the best perspective on the lake's scale and shoreline villas.
- Visit early morning or late afternoon outside peak summer months to enjoy quieter lakeside promenades and better light for photos of the surrounding mountains and reflections on the water.
- Don't miss the west shore's Hautecombe Abbey; combine a boat trip with a short stop to see the abbey and the lakeside viewpoints that many day‑trippers skip.
- If you plan water activities, check the seasonal timetable of the official ferry company and local marinas in advance, as schedules change between high and low season.
Best Time to Visit Lac du Bourget #
Late spring through early autumn is the best time to enjoy Lac du Bourget's outdoor activities and scenery.
Weather & Climate near Lac du Bourget #
Lac du Bourget's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -1°C to 27°C. Moderate rainfall (981 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 5°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm).
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August
August is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (102 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm).
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