Diving in the lakes and rivers of Hautes-Savoie

With its lakes and rivers, Haute-Savoie offers a great playground for water-based activities. Head for the lakes when the mercury rises. The water temperature is sometimes close to 30°C. In summer, young and old alike will be tempted to try their hand at kayaking, rowing and paddle-boarding, not forgetting water-skiing, diving and the famous pedalo.

If you prefer rougher waters, the lakes and torrents will do the trick. For the more adventurous, there's canyoning, rafting and hydrospeed. Haute-Savoie is a goldmine for water activities.

You can't really talk about Haute-Savoie without mentioning the two great flagship lakes of the Alps: Lake Annecy and Lake Geneva. These two lakes structure the landscape of mountains and villages. Set in exceptional environments, perfect for contemplative or sporting holidays, the two lakes are ideal for swimming and water sports.

👉 Lake Annecy

The Côte d'Azur in the mountains... Lake Annecy has a dozen beaches with turquoise water, both wild and developed. All year round, you can enjoy water sports in these waters, known to be the purest in the Alps. Swimminglessons **, canoeing and kayaking, boat trips, beach sports and diving... Everything is possible in this little corner of paradise. The beaches of **Sévrier and Saint-Jorioz are particularly popular.

👉 Lake Geneva

Literally the sea in the mountains... The lake, which straddles the border between Switzerland and France, is no match for Lake Annecy. Activities abound, and there are a dozen or so beaches, including La Garite in Yvoire (a grassy beach with pebbles) and Sciez-sur-Léman (a grassy, supervised beach with games for children and thrilling water sports for adults). The natural beach at Excenevex is a particular favourite. A marvel with real white sand, pine trees, dunes and a shallow area with boats at anchor.

One of the most beautiful experiences is to swim with a beautiful view of Mont Blanc. You can make this dream come true by going to the lake at Passy or Combloux.

The latter is protected and preserved and is called Biotope. It offers a magnificent panoramic view of Mont Blanc and the Massif. It was the first ecological swimming pool to open in France. Since 2002, the pool has been purified by a plant-based water filtration system. Between 19° and 26° degrees, the pool also has a play area, a restaurant and bar on site, as well as a chalet with sauna, hammam and jacuzzi. The lake can only accommodate 700 people, so the plants can maintain optimum water quality. It is only open from June to September.

Created in the 1970s, this artificial lake offers a backdrop to the valley. You can swim with a view of the entire Mont Blanc massif. Supervised only in summer, the lake has a fine sandy area, ideal for children to build sand castles. The leisure centre also offers a fitness and orienteering trail, electric boats, mountain biking and go-karting. On the water, you can windsurf, stand-up paddle and fish.

Near the village of Morillon, a leisure park called Lac Bleu attracts families with its sandy beach and shaded areas. This recreational park is open to the public and offers a wide range of activities, including a tree course, a riding school, a park with inflatable structures and entertainment (children's shows, concerts, etc.).

A haven of peace, Lac de Montriond nestles between several cliffs and is nicknamed the Green Lake. The lake, the largest in the Chablais massif, is open for swimming from July to August. You can go swimming, go to the beach, canoe, kayak or go for a pony ride.