Top 20 Lakes around Thônes

The most prominent is Lake Annecy, often called "Europe's cleanest lake," known for its crystal-clear, turquoise waters and dramatic mountain backdrop. The East Shore of Lake Annecy also offers beautiful mountain panoramas and swimming opportunities. Lac du Bourget and Lac Léman (Lake Geneva) also boast stunning mountain settings.

Yes, Greenway along the shore of Lake Annecy is very family-friendly, offering a path suitable for cycling and walking with cafes and beaches along the route. Lac de Thuy, located just 2 kilometers from Thônes, has a picnic area and is ideal for a relaxing break. Lac d'Aiguebelette is also excellent for families, with warm, emerald waters and several beaches offering supervised swimming.

The lakes offer a wide range of water activities. Lake Annecy is a prime destination for swimming, sailing, rowing, and wakeboarding. Lac du Bourget is popular for sailing, water skiing, scuba diving, canoeing, and paddleboarding. Lac Léman (Lake Geneva) also offers boating, fishing, water skiing, and wakeboarding. Lac d'Aiguebelette, with its warm waters, is great for paddleboarding, kayaking, and rowing.

Yes, Lac de Thuy, very close to Thônes, provides a pontoon specifically accessible to people with reduced mobility for fishing activities. This makes it a convenient and inclusive option for visitors.

Greenway along the shore of Lake Annecy is renowned as one of France's most beautiful greenways, offering incredible views of the lake and mountains. A cycle path largely encircles Lake Annecy, providing a scenic and mostly flat ride of approximately 36-38 km.

Yes, fishing is a popular activity. Lac de Thuy has specific periods for fishing from mid-March to mid-November, and it even offers an accessible pontoon. Lac Léman (Lake Geneva) and Lac d'Aiguebelette are also known spots for fishing.

Lac d'Aiguebelette is distinctive for its emerald green color and warm waters. It is notably shallow and features two islands and a peninsula. Motorboats are forbidden, contributing to a peaceful environment, and it's the third largest natural lake in France by volume.

Near Lac du Bourget, you can explore historical sites such as Hautecombe Abbey. Around Lac Léman (Lake Geneva), cultural attractions include the fortified village of Yvoire and Chillon Castle. The city of Annecy, at the northern tip of Lake Annecy, is known as the "Venice of the Alps" for its picturesque canals.

Yes, the surrounding mountains of many lakes offer excellent hiking. Hiking trails around Lac du Bourget provide spectacular panoramic views. For more specific routes, you can explore options like the 'Pointe de Talamarche Loop' or 'Morette Waterfall – Blick auf Thônes loop' which are part of the Hiking around Thônes guide.

Lac du Bourget is the deepest and largest natural lake located entirely within France. It's a meromictic lake, meaning its deep and surface waters do not mix annually, and it was designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 2025. Its waters can reach 26-28°C in summer, making it very appealing for swimming.

Visitors frequently praise the beautiful regions with lakes and mountains. Many enjoy the clear, turquoise waters and the numerous swimming opportunities, especially at Lake Annecy. The extensive cycle paths around the lakes, offering incredible views, are also a highlight for many, as are the tranquil natural settings for relaxing breaks and picnics.

Yes, there are challenging gravel biking routes that incorporate views of the lakes. For example, the 'Lake Annecy – View of Lake Annecy loop' and 'Lake Annecy Tour – Lake Annecy cycle route loop' are available in the Gravel biking around Thônes guide.

The summer months are ideal for water activities, with Lac du Bourget's waters reaching 26-28°C and Lac d'Aiguebelette known for its warm waters. Late spring or early fall can also be excellent for cycling around Lake Annecy, as it can be very crowded in summer.