Top 20 Lakes around Hauts-De-France

Several lakes in Hauts-De-France offer excellent family-friendly activities.

Lac de l'Ailette is home to a Center Parcs resort with an indoor water park (Aqua Mundo), outdoor swimming, mini-boats, paddleboarding, and land activities like biking and a petting zoo.

Lac du Val Joly, the largest lake north of Paris, features an aquatic center, mini-golf, tree-climbing, and various water sports. Lac d'Ardres offers a leisure park (Eurolac) with inflatable games, electric boats, and an accrobranche course with zip lines over the lake.

The lakes in Hauts-De-France provide a range of outdoor activities. You can enjoy water sports like windsurfing, catamaran sailing, canoeing, and pedal boating at Lac du Val Joly. Hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding are also popular there. For cycling enthusiasts, there are dedicated MTB Trails and Road Cycling Routes guides available for the region. Étang des Argales is particularly noted as an unmissable spot for mountain bikers and gravel cyclists.

Yes, some areas offer accessible paths. The Étangs de la Barette et la Falaise Sainte Colette site in Corbie features a 600-meter accessible path from the parking area, designed for individuals with various disabilities. Additionally, the Saint-Ladre Pond Nature Reserve has a marked trail accessible to people with reduced mobility, allowing observation of local wildlife.

For nature observation, the Étangs de la Barette et la Falaise Sainte Colette is a remarkable site known for its biodiversity, offering opportunities to observe rare plant and animal species. The Saint-Ladre Pond Nature Reserve is a wetland habitat rich in dragonflies, butterflies, frogs, and waterfowl. The Marais de Maroeuil is a protected natural area with diverse flora and fauna, including the rare fumeterre orchid.

Yes, there are several options for hiking. The Étangs de la Barette et la Falaise Sainte Colette offers a 2.5 km pedestrian path connecting to the Étang de la Fontaine Bleue. Heron Lake features a gravel path suitable for walking around the lake, though it can be crowded on weekends. For more extensive options, you can explore the Waterfall Hikes guide for the region, which includes trails near water bodies.

The lakes in Hauts-De-France are generally best visited during the warmer months, from spring to early autumn, when most water sports and outdoor activities are available. Summer sees lakes like Lac d'Ardres transform into lively destinations with events. However, nature reserves like Saint-Ladre Pond Nature Reserve are open year-round for nature appreciation.

Yes, Goriaux Pond is a notable example. It is a mining subsidence pond in the North, formed from significant mining activity in 1916, which created three ponds that eventually merged. It is now a national biological reserve and offers views from an accessible slag heap.

For a quieter experience, consider visiting the smaller nature reserves or protected wetlands. The Marais de Maroeuil, managed by the Conservatoire d'espaces naturels des Hauts-de-France, is a protected area focused on ecological importance, suggesting a more tranquil setting. The Étangs de la Barette et la Falaise Sainte Colette also offers peaceful pedestrian paths for nature observation.

Yes, some lakes offer comprehensive facilities. Lac du Val Joly provides accommodations, including cottages with lake views, and dining options. Lac de l'Ailette is home to a Center Parcs resort, which includes various dining choices. Additionally, Hôtel de la Plage and the Pond, Wissant is a highlight that specifically mentions a hotel, restaurant, cafe, and pub near a lake.

The Baie de Somme is unique for its dynamic maritime landscape, constantly changing with the tides. It is home to the largest French colony of harbor seals, which can often be observed, particularly at high tide from viewpoints like View of the Bay of the Somme and its seals. It's a significant natural monument and a popular spot for family visits.

Yes, Étang des Argales is highly recommended by the Komoot community, noted as an 'unmissable' spot for mountain bikers, with routes also accessible for gravel bikes around the lake. Visitors also appreciate Heron Lake for its gravel path and Goriaux Pond for its unique history and views.