The Bourget Lake attracts thousands of visitors to its developed beaches every summer. Aix-les-Bains, Bourget-du-Lac, and the leisure bases: these well-known spots become crowded as soon as the first warm days arrive. However, the largest natural lake in mainland France offers, along its steep or wooded shores, access to water that is much less frequented. Discreet coves, stretches of shoreline without parking, pebble beaches accessible only on foot or by boat.
West bank of Bourget Lake: the least accessible, the most preserved
The west bank remains wild along almost its entire length. The Épine mountain plunges directly into the water, without a continuous coastal road. This geographical configuration has protected this side from urbanization and mass tourism.
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To reach certain coves on this bank, one must take forest trails from the heights or paddle along the coast in a kayak or boat from the Conjux port. The effort naturally filters the visitors. The result: stretches of shoreline where one finds oneself alone facing transparent water, with the Dent du Chat in the background.
If you are looking to explore the most beautiful beaches of Bourget Lake, this bank deserves special attention, provided you are willing to walk or paddle to access it.
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- The area between Conjux and Saint-Pierre-de-Curtille offers several descents to the lake, sometimes marked by simple cairns or traces of passage in the vegetation.
- The coves at the foot of the Chambotte cliffs are primarily accessible by water, making them almost deserted even in mid-August.
- Some kayak launch points exist to the north, near the hamlet of Portout, allowing you to paddle along the coast without a motor.
Secret beaches of the east bank: between villages and undergrowth
The east bank, more urbanized with Aix-les-Bains and Chambéry nearby, is not limited to the large municipal beaches. Several discreet accesses remain between private properties and protected reed areas.
To the south of the lake, the Bourget-du-Lac area has some tucked-away pebble corners set back from the main beach. You need to walk along the shore, past the developed areas, to find quieter spots where swimming is still possible.
The role of nature reserves
A significant part of the shores of Bourget Lake is classified as a nature reserve. Some wetland areas are off-limits to protect wildlife and flora. The reed beds, for example, are home to sensitive nesting bird species.
Before venturing off marked paths, it is essential to check that the targeted stretch of shoreline is not in a protected area. Information signs are sometimes absent or not very visible. The Coastal Conservatory manages several parcels around the lake, and the rules vary from one area to another.
The boundary between a secret beach and a prohibited area is not always clear. Feedback from hikers and kayakers diverges on this point: some accesses tolerated for years may be closed from one season to the next depending on municipal or prefectural orders.
Accessing the coves of Bourget Lake without a car
The absence of a road is precisely what makes these beaches secret. But this raises a practical question: how to get there without an all-terrain vehicle or personal boat?
Kayaking remains the most reliable means to reach isolated coves. Several rental services operate in Aix-les-Bains, Bourget-du-Lac, and Conjux. Half a day is enough to paddle along a stretch of coast and spot natural accesses.
On foot, the Chambotte viewpoint trail offers a spectacular view of the lake and Savoie. From this viewpoint, paths descend towards the shore, but the slope is steep, and the return is demanding. Wearing good shoes and bringing enough water is not an unnecessary piece of advice on these exposed trails.
The shuttle boat that connects some ports of the lake can also serve as a starting point. Getting off at a less frequented dock and walking along the shore for a few hundred meters sometimes leads to beaches not found on conventional routes.
Swimming in Bourget Lake: water quality and precautions
The water quality of Bourget Lake has significantly improved over the decades. After a marked period of eutrophication, pollution control efforts have made the lake suitable for swimming again in most of its perimeter.
On supervised beaches, analyses are regular, and results are displayed. In isolated coves, no control is carried out. The water is generally clear there, but caution is advised after heavy rains when runoff can carry sediments or agricultural pollutants from the heights.
Temperature and currents
Bourget Lake is deep. The water temperature varies greatly depending on the season and depth. At the surface, it becomes pleasant starting in June in shallow areas, but the coves at the foot of the cliffs, where the bottom drops off quickly, remain cool even in mid-summer.
Surface currents exist, especially with a north wind. On unsupervised beaches, there are no buoys or lifeguards. Swimming there is at your own risk, and returning to shore can require effort if the wind picks up suddenly.
Nature and wild setting: what distinguishes these beaches in Savoie
The atmosphere of these coves is nothing like that of a developed beach. No snack bar, no shower, no rental umbrellas. The environment is raw: pebbles, driftwood, dense vegetation up to the water’s edge.
This is also what makes it appealing. The natural setting of Bourget Lake rivals that of some much more touristy alpine lakes. The view extends over the Savoie mountain ranges, the water takes on hues that change with the time of day and weather, and the silence is broken only by the lapping of water or the passage of a grebe.
Visitor numbers at the lake increase year after year, and social media geolocate even the smallest corners. Enjoying these places also means respecting them: leaving nothing behind, avoiding trampling the riverside vegetation, and accepting that some accesses may be closed for ecological reasons.
Bourget Lake still offers this rare opportunity for a day of swimming in nature, just minutes from Chambéry, without needing to cross a border.