Top 4 Lakes around Bussières
Best lakes around Bussières are characterized by their integration within natural parks, offering diverse aquatic environments. The region features a mix of man-made reservoirs and natural ponds, often surrounded by forests and pastures. These bodies of water serve various purposes, from hydroelectric power generation to recreational activities and wildlife habitats. The landscape provides opportunities for outdoor pursuits such as hiking, cycling, and water sports.
Best lakes around Bussières
- The most popular lakes is Wooden boardwalk on Lake Saint-Agnan, a bridge that offers a unique walking alternative directly over the water. It provides views of the lake, surrounding horse pastures, and local flora and fauna.
- Another must-see spot is Lake Saint-Agnan, a lake known for its dam and clear waters. It is situated within the Morvan regional natural park and offers passages for cycling along the water's edge.
- Visitors also love Water Trail at Lac de Saint-Agnan, a trail that features an educational path about the water cycle. This well-signposted route includes wooden planks directly over the water and informative boards.
- Bussières is known for its large reservoirs, natural ponds, and smaller municipal lakes. These bodies of water provide varied settings for outdoor activities and natural exploration.
- The lakes around Bussières are appreciated by the komoot community, with 16 upvotes and 9 photos shared across various highlights.
Last updated: June 17, 2026
Crescent Dam
Highlight • Monument
The road across it is narrow and only allows passage for one vehicle. Fortunately, there is very little traffic.
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Lake Saint-Agnan
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Wooden boardwalk on Lake Saint-Agnan
Highlight (Segment) • Bridge
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Water Trail at Lac de Saint-Agnan
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Tips from the Community
Beautiful wild spot that can be partly explored by mountain bike on the northern part of the lake.
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Great place to take a break!
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The Crescent Dam was built between 1929 and 1932. A gravity dam, it is 330 meters long and 37 meters high. Its width at the base is 24 meters and at the crest 3.5 meters. It was built on the initiative of SA Compagnie HydroElectrique de la Cure and was owned by the City of Paris until 1946. The dam was built to regulate the waters of the Yonne and Seine rivers and thus prevent flooding in Paris, while also producing electricity. More than 165 hectares of cultivated land, hamlets, mills, and paths were flooded to allow the creation of the reservoir (maximum depth of 40 meters). It occupies four municipalities and two departments, and is fed by the Cure and Chalaux rivers. The structure was partly financed by war reparations owed by Germany to France after the First World War. This is why much of the dam's mechanisms are German-made. The road across it is narrow and only allows passage for one vehicle. Fortunately, there is very little traffic.
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Saint-Agnan lake is one of the last dams built in the Morvan regional natural park. Running over the top is always a sight to behold.
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If you walk clockwise from Saint-Agnan around the lake of the same name, you will reach a turnoff on the east bank behind the villages of Les Coups and just before Les Michaux, on the lake side, which first leads on a narrow path and later on a new wooden footbridge across the lake. From here you have a beautiful view of the lake, the surrounding horse pastures and the interesting flora and fauna on the shores of Lac de Saint-Agnan.
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The dam is located at the northern end of the lake, it is 1,600 meters long and 16 meters high. It is made of compacted Arena granite. The dam is equipped with a hydroelectric power station managed by the Abbey of Sainte Marie de la Pierre-qui-Vire. There are many colorful flowers on the banks of the dam and you can easily observe lizards here.
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If you walk the circular route around the Lac de Saint-Agnan (8.7 km), you will reach a junction on the north-east side of the lake, at the level of the Bois du Loup riding stables and campsite. A well signposted water educational trail begins here. The path leads on wooden planks directly above the water and there are many picture boards along the path that vividly explain and explain the water cycle.
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Good walking shoes required. Soggy route!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are there family-friendly lakes around Bussières?
Yes, several lakes offer family-friendly activities. Lake Saint-Agnan features a dam and clear waters, with passages for cycling along the water's edge. The Water Trail at Lac de Saint-Agnan is an educational path about the water cycle, suitable for families. Further afield, Espace Hermeline Lake in Bussière-Galant has a beach and activities like tree climbing and mini-golf, while Lac des Settons offers playful attractions such as toboggans and giant buoys.
Can I go swimming at the lakes near Bussières?
Yes, swimming is possible at several locations. Espace Hermeline Lake in Bussière-Galant has good water quality for swimming and a mid-sand, mid-grass beach, holding the 'Blue Flag' label. Lac des Settons, in the Morvan Regional Natural Park, also has several beaches for swimming, with its peninsula beach proudly displaying the 'Blue Flag' label and supervised bathing in summer.
What water sports are available at the lakes?
For a wide range of water sports, Lac des Settons is an excellent choice. It offers sailing, pedal boats, paddleboarding, windsurfing, kayaking, and jet skiing. Espace Hermeline Lake also provides kayaking and paddleboarding opportunities.
Are there hiking trails around the lakes near Bussières?
Absolutely. The Water Trail at Lac de Saint-Agnan is a well-signposted educational path with wooden planks directly over the water. Around Lac des Settons, there's a 13 km (8 mile) well-marked track ideal for walking, and a longer 15 km circuit for hikers. For more options, you can explore various trails listed in the MTB Trails around Bussières guide, which includes routes near Lake Crescent and Lake Saint-Agnan.
Can I cycle around the lakes?
Yes, cycling is a popular activity. Lake Saint-Agnan offers nice passages for pedaling along the water's edge. Lac des Settons features a 13 km track perfect for cycling. You can find detailed cycling routes, including those around Lake Saint-Agnan and Lake Crescent, in the Road Cycling Routes around Bussières and Gravel biking around Bussières guides.
What unique natural features or viewpoints can I find?
The Wooden boardwalk on Lake Saint-Agnan offers a unique walking experience directly over the water, providing beautiful views of the lake, surrounding horse pastures, and local flora and fauna. Lake Saint-Agnan itself is known for its clear waters and magnificent turquoise colors in places. The Crescent Dam, a significant gravity dam, also offers impressive views of the reservoir it created.
Are the lakes accessible for people with reduced mobility?
Yes, some lakes are designed with accessibility in mind. Etang des Bussières provides amenities accessible to people with reduced mobility. Espace Hermeline Lake in Bussière-Galant is also accessible, offering a 'tiralo' chair to assist individuals with reduced mobility in entering the water.
Can I go fishing at the lakes near Bussières?
Fishing opportunities are available. Etang des Bussières in Saint-Mathieu is a private fishing lake renowned for carp fishing. The Étang Municipal de Bussière-Badil allows public fishing, though it requires registration at the town hall. Fishing is also an activity at Espace Hermeline Lake.
When is the best time to visit the lakes around Bussières?
The best time to visit largely depends on your preferred activities. For swimming and water sports, the summer months are ideal, especially when supervised bathing is available and lakes like Espace Hermeline and Lac des Settons proudly display their 'Blue Flag' labels. Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures for hiking and cycling, with beautiful natural scenery.
What is special about Lac des Settons?
Lac des Settons, located in the Morvan Regional Natural Park, is known as the most active and well-known of the Morvan's large lakes. It's a vibrant hub for water sports like sailing, kayaking, and jet skiing, and features several beaches for swimming, including a 'Blue Flag' certified peninsula beach. The lake also has a 13 km track for walking and cycling, and offers family-friendly attractions.
What is the Crescent Dam and its significance?
The Crescent Dam is a gravity dam built between 1929 and 1932, measuring 330 meters long and 37 meters high. It was constructed to regulate the waters of the Yonne and Seine rivers to prevent flooding in Paris, while also producing electricity. The reservoir it created flooded over 165 hectares and is fed by the Cure and Chalaux rivers. Its mechanisms are notably German-made, financed by war reparations.
What other outdoor activities are available near the lakes?
Beyond water sports, Espace Hermeline in Bussière-Galant offers activities such as tree climbing, a mega-zip line, railbiking, and mini-golf. The surrounding areas of the lakes, particularly within the Morvan Regional Natural Park, provide extensive opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and gravel biking, with numerous routes detailed in the respective Komoot guides.
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