Haute-Savoie offers a refreshing alternative to the sea, ideal for a nature-filled summer: alpine lakes, crystal-clear streams, and family-friendly leisure centers abound, all accessible from the campsites. Here is our selection of essential and secluded spots for swimming in this beautiful region.
The large supervised lakes
Lac d’Annecy
Renowned for the clarity of its waters, Lake Annecy has many supervised beaches in summer. In Annecy-le-Vieux (Albigny), there is a large grassy area and a marked swimming area; in Saint-Jorioz, the gentle slope is perfect for children. Further south, Doussard offers a peaceful setting with paddle and canoe rentals.
To read: The beaches of Lake Annecy
Lac Léman (French shore)
Between Évian and Thonon, discover well-equipped municipal beaches: Thonon-les-Bains, Évian-les-Bains, and more secret spots like Saint-Disdille (Châtel-sur-Léman) or Corzent (Anthy-sur-Léman), also supervised.
To read: Discover the beaches of Lake Léman
Rivers and natural basins
Le Giffre (Morillon, Samoëns)
Le lac Bleu, in Morillon, offers a natural area with a supervised beach, lawns, and trails. For wild swimming enthusiasts, certain stretches of the river offer suitable spots, although they are not secured.
La Dranse (Chablais)
Between Bioge and the confluence with Lake Léman, the Dranse forms very popular natural basins in summer: places like the Pont de la Douceur are little corners of paradise, to be explored with caution.
Bodies of water and leisure centers
Lac Bleu de Morillon
This family-friendly body of water, with its sandy beach and playgrounds, is supervised in July and August. Kayaking, trails, and parking facilities make the place very suitable for families.
Lac de Passy (Mont-Blanc valley)
With its beaches, water sports, and spectacular view over the massif, this leisure center has facilities designed for children and families. Unfortunately, it is very busy, but this is the case almost everywhere in peak season.
Some lesser-known spots
- Lac des Ilettes (Sallanches): composed of several ponds dedicated to fishing, supervised swimming, or windsurfing, this area offers a great diversity of uses.
- Biotope body of water of Combloux (neighboring Savoie but emblematic): an ecologically heated zone, naturally warmed, chlorine-free, surrounded by plants, in a mountain setting facing Mont-Blanc.
- Roc de Chère (Annecy): A small intimate cove at the end of a wooded walk, perfect for swimming and some diving.
Practical advice
- Safety: favor supervised sites to avoid mishaps; be careful in natural areas (slippery rocks, currents).
- Respect for nature: Mountain lakes and certain protected spots such as Lac Bénit require restraint, no swimming or disturbing wildlife.
- Logistics: check access and supervision times, site equipment (toilets, parking, rentals).
- Season: from June to August, biotope basins are pleasant (≈ 19–26 °C), mountain lakes are cooler but revitalizing.
Whether you like large lakes, secluded coves, or family-friendly areas, Haute-Savoie offers a variety of swims suited to all tastes. From Lake Annecy to the secret banks of the Dranse, passing through high-altitude sites and ecological bodies of water, there is only an embarrassment of choice to cool off this summer.
An invitation to discover the aquatic richness of a department that is both generous and preserved.
