Top 20 Lakes around Tignes

The lakes around Tignes offer a diverse experience, from natural alpine lakes fed by glaciers to significant artificial reservoirs with rich history. This includes the vibrant Lake Tignes, fed by the Grande Motte glacier, and the historically intriguing Lake Chevril, which submerged the old village of Tignes.

Lac de Tignes is a hub of activity. In summer, you can enjoy pedal boats, paddle boards, kayaking, and an acroland water obstacle course. It's also popular for fishing and offers a pleasant 1.6 km pedestrian path around its perimeter. In winter, when the lake freezes, unique activities like ice floating, ice diving, and dog-sleigh rides are available, and a footpath crosses between Tignes le Lac and Tignes Val Claret.

Lac du Chevril is famous for submerging the original village of Tignes when the Barrage du Chevril (Chevril Dam) was constructed in 1952. Every ten years, the lake is partially drained for dam inspections, revealing the haunting remnants of the old village. The dam itself is an impressive engineering feat, once featuring a gigantic wall fresco of Hercules, and a sculpture called 'The Lady of the Lake' stands by its shores as a homage to old Tignes.

For a peaceful experience and wildlife observation, visit Lac de la Sassière, located within the Grande Sassière Nature Reserve. This turquoise alpine lake is known for its pristine scenery and is a haven for wildlife, where you might spot marmots, chamois, ibex, and even bearded vultures. It's an ideal spot for a quiet picnic.

Yes, there are family-friendly options. The route to Lac de la Sassière from the Saut car park is an easy, signposted path suitable for families and even strollers. Additionally, the path around Lake Tignes is exclusively for pedestrians and offers a beautiful family walk.

Swimming is generally prohibited in Lac de Tignes due to underwater currents. While specific regulations vary, many high-altitude alpine lakes in the region are not suitable or permitted for swimming due to cold temperatures and environmental protection.

Absolutely. The region offers numerous hiking opportunities. For example, you can explore the 'Lac du Chevril - Parc National de la Vanoise - Loop' or the 'Grande Sassière Reserve Trail to Lac de la Sassière'. You can find more hiking routes and details on the Hiking around Tignes guide.

Cyclists can enjoy scenic routes such as 'Lac de Tignes and lac du Chevril' or the more challenging 'Lake Tignes – View of the Tignes dam loop from Barrage du Chevril'. Discover more options and detailed routes on the Cycling around Tignes guide.

Yes, gravel biking enthusiasts can find routes like 'Col de l'Iseran – Iseran Pass loop from Col de l'Iseran' or 'The Isère – Fantastic forest road loop from Villaroger'. For more gravel biking adventures, check the Gravel biking around Tignes guide.

The best time to visit depends on your preferred activities. Summer (June to September) is ideal for hiking, water sports on Lac de Tignes, and enjoying the alpine flora and fauna. Winter (December to April) offers unique experiences like walking on the frozen Lac de Tignes and winter sports in the surrounding resort.

Yes, the region boasts several stunning natural landmarks and viewpoints. The Lake of the Cows, located at 2,318 meters, is notable for its path of flat stones allowing visitors to cross it. The Lake Serrù offers a scenic location along the road to Nivolet hill, with the Pian della Ballotta refuge overlooking it. The Colle del Nivolet is also renowned for its panoramic views of the surrounding lakes and mountains.