The wonders of Lac du Bourget

Stretching over 18 km, Lac du Bourget is the largest natural lake in France. Located in Aix-Les-Bains, the lake and its turquoise waters invite you to go for a swim. A dozen or so beaches have been laid out around it, giving fans of thrilling activities such as wakeboarding, water-skiing and rafting the chance to have a great time. Tourists can also enjoy more leisurely activities such as paddle-boarding, kayaking or taking a boat trip along the Savière canal to discover the bucolic village of Chanaz.

If the Savières canal is considered one of the most beautiful in France, it owes this in part to its starting point: the flower-filled village of Chanaz. The environment, where marsh and mountain blend perfectly, is enchanting. This little Savoyard Venice boasts a number of treasures, including a hydraulic oil mill, a lock, chalets on stilts... and narrow streets dotted with craftsmen's workshops.

For a sunny lunch break by the water, theAuberge de Savières and the expertise of its chefs welcome visitors to an idyllic setting. On the menu, specialities from the sea and the land combine with Savoyard flavours; an explosion in the mouth!

📍 Address: 545 Route du Canal, 73310 Chanaz

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Lying on the shores of Lac du Bourget, Aix-les-Bains was an essential holiday destination for European high society at the end of the 19th century. As its name suggests, the town's reputation was built on its thermal baths. Today, Aix-les-Bains still boasts two thermal baths: the Thermes Marlioz and the modern Thermes Chevalley Valvital.

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Throughout the year, many spa visitors come to enjoy the positive effects of thetown's thermal waters. For a night, a week or even a month, the days of these travellers are punctuated by body and facial treatments, as well as various courses and therapies. The friendly atmosphere is particularly evident in the many refined restaurants available to spa visitors. Unique flavours to be enjoyed in a setting where relaxation is the watchword.

Apart from a spa treatment, whether it's a simple return to fitness or a complete cure, a stay in Aix-les-Bains would be inconceivable without betting a few euros at the Casino Grand Cercle. Located right in the centre of town, this unmissable nineteenth-century building boasts a 900-seat Italian-style theatre and superb mosaics on its ceilings. It is one of the most remarkable casinos in Savoie and, without doubt, the town's major attraction.

In winter, as well as being able to enjoy the Mont Revard ski resort, one of the oldest in France, renowned for its huge cross-country skiing area, you can reach the major Savoyard ski resorts in just an hour's drive. In summer, the Bauges massif and the Pre-Alps are ideal for walking, as is the Dent du Chat, the southernmost point of the Jura massif, whose slopes plunge steeply into the lake. An ideal environment that keeps visitors busy throughout their stay, winter and summer alike!

On the other side of the lake, the splendour ofHautecombe Abbey is astonishing. A sacred site founded in the twelfth century, its unique Gothic troubadour architecture looks as if it is about to plunge into the water. Partly open to the public, most of the building is still inhabited by a congregation.

After a breathtaking 30-minute tour, travellers can enjoy a pleasant stroll through the park and down to the pier. It's a royal interlude, with its many breathtaking views over Lac du Bourget and its stunning shades of turquoise.