Une baignade au lac du Cébron
J. Damase
Baignade au lac de Jouarres
Le Canal des 2 mers à vélo - J. Damase

Around the Lakes of France by bike

France’s mountain lakes are the best known in this category, but you’ll also find that many other lakes are accessible by bike across France’s regions. Be it in Champagne-Ardenne, in Burgundy, in Brittany, in Aquitaine or elsewhere, get in gear with picnics and fishing gear at the ready!

Au bord du lac Léman à vélo
France Vélo Tourisme

The blue of the Lake Geneva

Linking France and Switzerland together, Lake Geneva has a real microclimate favourable to the development of southern vegetation. ViaRhôna skirts this inland ocean and makes it possible to admire the beauty of the lake, its villages and its thermal towns as Thonon-les-Bains and Evian-les-Bains or the village of Yvoire located at the edge of water.

Autour du lac de Guérledan en Bretagne
S. Bourcier

Lake Guerlédan

Lake Guerlédan is the largest lake in Brittany, it marks the passage from Côtes-d'Armor to Morbihan. Surrounded by greenery and forest, this true natural setting is an ideal place to refresh and rest. And for those who still want to spend some time, it is also possible to cycle around the lake.

Baignade dans le Lac d'Hourtin
La Vélodyssée ® A.Lamoureux

Swimming in Lake Hourtin

With its 6600 ha, the lake of Carcans-Hourtin is the largest natural lake in France. This is one of the strong points of La Vélodyssée. This fully preserved natural site (sand dunes, wild marshes, forest...) will delight the whole family during a highly recommended bike stop. You will be able to benefit from beautiful strolls at the edge of the lake, on marvellous sites such as the lagoon of Contaut, the banks East of the Lake and the natural reserve of the Dunes and Marshes of Hourtin.

Couché de soleil sur les grands lacs - Biscarosse
La Vélodyssée ® A.Lamoureux

The lakes of Biscarosse

Second largest lake in France, Lake Biscarosse, with its area of 5600 ha, is the ideal spot for a family break in the shade of pines if you undertake a bike ride along La Velodyssée. Its shallow depth and two supervised swimming areas will delight parents and children who can go swimming in peace. If you opt for a guided boat trip, the lake will have no more secrets for you!

Vue aérienne du Lac Pavin
Conseil Départemental Puy de Dôme

The mysterious Lake Pavin

Located in the Dores Mountains, this lake with volcanic origins almost reaches the shape of a circle with its diameter of 700 to 800 meters. Deepest lake of Auvergne, it is surrounded by trees on both sides and its "recent" origin makes it the focus of scientific debate regarding its activity.

Lac de Grand-Lieu
Selbymay - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

A hook from Nantes: the Lake of Grand-Lieu

Surrounded by wooded areas and vineyards, Saint-Aignan-de-Grand-Lieu has developed around an exceptional wetland area: Lake Grand-Lieu. It is one of the rare windows of the metropolis opened on this natural reserve. The place called the Pierre Aigüe offers a remarkable view of the lake. A walking tour bears his name.

Tailor-made itineraries

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Tailor-made itineraries

Murol / Saint-Alyre-ès-Montagne

18 Murol / Saint-Alyre-ès-Montagne

40 km
2 h 40 min
I cycle a lot
The views along this stage are magnificent, while the atmosphere changes dramatically along the way. After admiring the very beautiful medieval village of Besse, head on to the exceptional circular Pavin Lake, set in a volcano crater. Next comes Montcineyre Lake, a crescent-shaped volcanic lake. You’ve now entered the Cézallier area. Here, steep slopes are replaced by gentler, more rounded ones, the vast stretches of high summer pastures dotted with herds of cows. La Godivelle Nature Reserve preserves precious peat-bogs. Admire the Lacs d’En-Haut et d’En Bas before arriving at the hamlet of Jassy.
Rostrenen / Mûr-de-Bretagne

4 Rostrenen / Mûr-de-Bretagne

30 km
2 h 01 min
I cycle often
At the heart of the Guerlédan-Argoat Country is a steep sided valley where the Blavet winds through the woods until it reaches Gouarec. The Coat Natous double lock in the middle of this stage of La Vélodyssée provides an ideal resting point.Two of the highlights of this stage are the beautiful Cistercian Abbey of Bon-Repos and Brittany’s largest lake, the magnificent Lac de Guerlédan: the perfect place to stop for a swim and sunbathe! This varied leg of the trail follows a towpath, a short stretch of coastal route and the greenway.
Saint-Gingolph / Thonon / Evian

1 Saint-Gingolph / Thonon / Evian

30 km
1 h 57 min
I cycle a lot
On the south bank of Lake Geneva, straddling the Franco-Swiss border, the town of Saint-Gingolph stands at the start of the ViaRhôna cycle route through southeast France. West along the lake, backed by mountains, the thermal spa resorts of Evian-les-Bains and Thonon-les-Bains are highlights, great for stays and lake views. Note that the stretch from Saint-Gingolph to Evian is only suitable for experienced cyclists. We strongly recommend that families with children start the route from Evian or Thonon.
Thonon / Geneva

2 Thonon / Geneva

44 km
1 h 52 min
I cycle often
After Thonon-les-Bains, the ViaRhôna cycle route leads you along a mix of cycle tracks and quiet roads, through villages in the Bas-Chablais area. Don’t miss the stunning medieval villages of Yvoire and Nernier right by Lake Geneva. There are numerous other short detours to make to little ports and beaches, great for a dip. Reaching Chens-sur-Léman, while awaiting the continuation of the ViaRhôna cycle route further west into France, we suggest you carry on along the signposted cycle route into Switzerland leading you as far as Geneva.
Lacanau / Hourtin-Plage

9 Lacanau / Hourtin-Plage

32 km
2 h 07 min
I begin
Welcome to the Médoc Atlantique region. Everything here is "Oceanesque!". Travelling along the coast with its huge beaches, where surfing is king, particularly in Lacanau, the route flirts with the Médoc lakes. Here, you'll find plenty of options for bathing or a picnic, with attractions for children nearby. You can also do some bird watching at the Étang de Cousseau lake, or in the Lagune de Contaut.
Biscarrosse-plage / Parentis-en-Born

31 Biscarrosse-plage / Parentis-en-Born

26 km
1 h 42 min
I cycle often
From Gironde to the Landes nothing really changes, apart from the section of military land which forces La Vélodyssée away from the seafront to make a long detour inland, where the blues of the vast ponds replace that of the sea. You may try out the hydroplanes, common to this part of Biscarrosse!
Guerlain's hunting house

2 Guerlain's hunting house

21 km
1 h 23 min
I cycle often
A cycling trip as far as Bouaye might remind nostalgic Nantais locals of the novelty of French workers’ iconic pre-war cycling outings when they were first given paid holidays. The unmissable umbrella pine lording it over the vines marks your arrival at Bouaye. The Maison Guerlain, a unique space dedicated to the discovery of one of Europe’s most beautiful wetlands, stands peacefully beside Grand-Lieu Lake. This all makes for a lovely journey of discovery not far from Nantes.

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