Top 7 Lakes in Morbihan

Morbihan's lakes offer diverse natural beauty, from the forested hills surrounding Lac de Guerlédan to the rich wetlands and varied environments of Lac au Duc. You'll find areas with wild moors, gorse, and tranquil green settings like Étang de La Forêt. The region also features stunning coastal viewpoints, such as the Viewpoint overlooking Port de Kerlédan and Gull Island, which offers fine white sand beaches and views of Goélands Island.

Morbihan's lakes are hubs for outdoor activities. Lac de Guerlédan offers bathing, water skiing, canoeing, pedalo, paddleboarding, mountain biking, and extensive hiking trails. At Lac au Duc, you can enjoy electric boating, pedalo, kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, hiking, and cycling. Étang de La Forêt provides playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment, climbing, fishing, and zip-lining during summer months. For more general outdoor activities in the region, you can explore cycling routes, running trails, and MTB trails throughout Morbihan.

Yes, hiking is a popular activity around Morbihan's lakes. Lac de Guerlédan features extensive hiking trails, including a complete tour around the lake that typically takes about two days. Lac au Duc offers a 14-kilometer trail encircling the lake, alongside the unique 3 km Hortensia circuit. Étang de La Forêt also provides opportunities for hiking in a refreshing green setting. For more hiking options, check out the running and hiking guides for Morbihan.

Several lakes in Morbihan are ideal for families. Lac de Guerlédan is a great destination for families, offering a blend of natural scenery and numerous opportunities for active recreation. Lac au Duc provides a beach, children's games, picnic facilities, and various water sports. Étang de La Forêt is a dedicated leisure base with a playground, outdoor fitness equipment, and supervised activities like climbing and zip-lining during summer, making it perfect for families and groups.

For unique natural features, Lac au Duc is home to the Hortensia circuit, a 3 km walk showcasing a botanical collection of 5,500 hydrangeas. For breathtaking viewpoints, consider visiting the View towards Port Cotton, which offers a panorama of the wild coastline of Belle-Île-en-Mer. Another notable spot is the View of Rocher Percé Rippiler at Port Goulphar, a unique place that has inspired painters like Claude Monet.

Yes, Lac de Guerlédan, for instance, is nestled in the Blavet Valley and its surroundings feature cultural attractions such as the 12th-century Cistercian Abbey of Bon-Repos and the old steel village of Les Forges des Salles. Lac au Duc's origins trace back to the 12th century when Benedictine monks built a dam on the Yvel River.

Morbihan's lakes offer a wide array of water sports. At Lac de Guerlédan, you can enjoy bathing, water skiing, canoeing, pedalo, and paddleboarding, especially from beaches like Beau Rivage. Lac au Duc provides electric boating, pedalo, towed buoys, kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing. These lakes are perfect for those looking to get out on the water.

Yes, fishing is a popular pastime in Morbihan. Lac de Guerlédan is a favored spot for fishing. Lac au Duc is particularly renowned as one of the best fishing sites in France for white and carnivorous fish. Étang de La Forêt also offers fishing as a free-access activity.

Lac au Duc is particularly known for its diverse natural environments and wetlands, attracting a variety of wildlife. Visitors often spot otters, deer, and numerous bird species in this area, making it an excellent location for nature lovers and wildlife spotting.

While specific accessibility details for all trails vary, many lakes offer sections suitable for easier walks. For example, the Hortensia circuit at Lac au Duc is a 3 km walk, and Étang de La Forêt provides a tranquil setting with free-access activities and paths. For general easy walks with scenic views, consider the View of the Gulf of Morbihan, which is categorized as family-friendly.

The summer months (July and August) are particularly vibrant for visiting Morbihan's lakes, as many leisure bases like Étang de La Forêt offer supervised and paid activities such as climbing, archery, mountain biking, and zip-lining. Spring and autumn also provide pleasant weather for hiking and cycling, with fewer crowds and beautiful natural scenery.

Beyond traditional activities, Lac de Guerlédan offers unique experiences such as sylvotherapy (forest bathing) and opportunities to explore the Nantes-Brest Canal, which was partially submerged by the lake's creation. At Lac au Duc, you can even take ULM or glider flights from Loyat airfield for a unique aerial perspective of the lake and its surroundings.