Lac du Bourget Lake

Address: Lac du Bourget, Savoie, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France

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.

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.

• 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.