Top 6 Lakes around Chézery-Forens

The region is rich in biodiversity. You can find the European Pond Turtle Habitat, one of the rare places where these wild turtles can be observed sunbathing. The Valserine River, a 'wild river' of France, carves deep gorges with sites like the Pont du Diable. Lakes like Lac de Lamoura and Lac des Rousses are known for their protected natural settings, including peat bogs with unique flora.

Several lakes offer family-friendly amenities and activities. Étang de Lalleyriat provides benches and public restrooms, ideal for a break. Étang de la Touvière is also family-friendly. For swimming and activities, Lac Genin, Lac des Rousses, Lac de Nantua, and Lac Saint-Point all offer supervised swimming or dedicated areas for children.

Yes, fishing is a popular activity. The Valserine River is known for Fario trout fishing. Étang de la Touvière is open to fishermen and fisherwomen. Lac de Sylans is a paradise for pike fishermen, and fishing is also permitted at Lac Saint-Point.

Many lakes offer swimming and water sports. Lac Genin provides supervised swimming in summer. Lac des Rousses has a water sports center for pedal boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards, along with supervised swimming. Lac de Nantua and Lac de Chalain are also popular for swimming. Lac Saint-Point permits various water sports, and Plaine Beach offers a less crowded alternative for lakeside relaxation.

Absolutely. The Valserine River has hiking trails following its course. Étang de Lalleyriat serves as a starting point for hikes. Lac Genin, Lac de Lamoura (with a discovery trail through peat bogs), Lac des Rousses, and Lac de Nantua all feature hiking paths. For more extensive options, you can explore the Mountain Hikes around Chézery-Forens guide.

Yes, cycling is possible around several lakes. The access path to Lac de la Gravière de Sous Conflans is passable by road bike. Lac Genin, Lac des Rousses, and Lac de Nantua offer paths suitable for cycling. For mountain biking, you can check the MTB Trails around Chézery-Forens guide, and for gravel biking, the Gravel biking around Chézery-Forens guide.

When conditions allow, some lakes transform into winter playgrounds. Lac Genin offers ice skating, snowshoeing, and even ice diving. Lac des Rousses, when sufficiently frozen, becomes an open-air ice rink. Lac Saint-Point is also popular for both summer and winter activities.

While the focus is on natural beauty, Lac de Sylans has a historical connection to the ice trade, with ice houses once operating there. The Valserine River's deep gorges and natural bridges also hold historical significance as ancient crossing points.

Lac Genin, often called the 'Little Canada of Haut-Bugey,' is a stunning combe lake surrounded by pine trees at 830 meters altitude. It's a protected natural site offering year-round activities like hiking, mountain biking, summer swimming, and winter ice skating or snowshoeing. You can find more details on hautbugey-tourisme.com.

Lac de Lamoura is the highest lake in the French Jura, nestled in a protected natural setting at the foot of the Massacre forest. It's known for its exceptional diversity of flora, including peat bogs with aquatic mosses and carnivorous droseras, which can be explored via a discovery trail. Motorized boats are prohibited to maintain its tranquility.

Lac des Rousses, at 1075 meters altitude, is valued for its pure water, which supplies several communes. It's surrounded by peat bogs, contributing to its biological richness. Visitors enjoy supervised swimming, a water sports center, hiking, mountain biking, and in winter, it can become an open-air ice rink.

Visitors particularly enjoy the natural beauty and tranquility. The opportunity to observe wild European pond turtles at the European Pond Turtle Habitat is considered a true natural wonder. Many appreciate spots like Étang de Lalleyriat for peaceful breaks and the less crowded atmosphere of places like Plaine Beach.

Yes, parking is generally available at popular lake destinations. For example, Étang de Lalleyriat has a parking lot directly on the lake, which also serves as a convenient starting point for hikes.