The 10 most beautiful lakes authorized for dogs in France
Which lakes are authorized for dogs in France? Where can I swim with my dog? Savoie, Pyrenees, Alps… Find the most beautiful lakes in France accessible with your dog!
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On the lake side in France, there is something for everyone! Freshwater lake, saltwater lake, mountain lake, dam lake, deep blue lake or emerald green lake… and dog-friendly lakes then?? What are the most beautiful lakes to go swimming this summer with your dog? I have put together a top 10 of the most beautiful lakes in France. Put on your bathing suit and your dog's life jacket, it's up to you to swim or laze by the water. And for the more athletic, those who are on the move, I have also listed equipment rental companies for paddleboarding with your dog or canoeing with your dog.
Come on, let's go for the top 10 of the most beautiful lakes in France authorized for dogs!
Sainte-Croix lake: a majestic site in the Gorges du Verdon
Bordered by 3 charming villages, Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon, They had et Les Salles-sur-Verdon, this 22 km² lake is an ideal place for swimming and the practice of water sports with your dog. The top 10 of the most beautiful dog-friendly lakes in France are starting strong, very strong. Its turquoise water makes it a magical place!
Be careful, as so often, all the beaches around the lake are forbidden to dogs. You will have to move away a little to enjoy it with doggie.
Any tips for getting the most out of it? Rent an electric boat at Alizé electronic location, a rental company that accepts dogs on its boats, or rent a canoe with your dog at Verdon Canoe to explore the lake. You will inevitably find a small wild corner where to put your towel.
A small security note is essential here: remember to equip your dog with a safety jacket as soon as you board a boat. If your dog falls in the water, you will be able to recover it easily and its safety will be ensured. Our dogs are not all swimming stars. You don't have a life jacket for your dog yet? Discover our comparison of life jackets for dogs to equip your dog with the most suitable equipment for him.
Above all, do not miss the Gorges du Verdon ! Take advantage of your stay or getaway to the lake with your dog to discover this magnificent space. Explore it on a hike! Dozens of marked kilometers await you and your dog. swimming and hikes are the flagship activities in this heavenly place. You will enjoy yourself with your dog on vacation.
Lake Bourget in Savoie
Here is another magical lake! It is certainly the Bourget lake is a place conducive to water sports: cani-paddle, canoeing , pedalo… You will come across a lot of people on the water!
Pauline and Speed tested it for us! They followed the greenway between Aix les Bains and Lake Bourget : 8 kilometers to jump from beach to beach for the greatest joy of his jack russell. It should be noted that here too the supervised beaches are not authorized for dogs.
You can also take advantage of the lake to go on a cruise or to walk along the lake esplanade. There are many boat companies that will take you around the lake with your dog. Musher is a big fan of water, when I go swimming with her, we often go swimming quite far from the edge. I put her on dog life jacket, so I know she fears nothing, and we go for a few lengths! A bit like at the swimming pool except that there, the landscapes are magical! I like swimming with my dog. I feel free. Attention, swimming requires a lot of effort, for you and your dog, do not go away if you do not feel able to ensure your safety and that of your dog!
Bouillouses lake in the Pyrenees
The classified site of Bouillouses Lake, at the foot of Carlit massif, offers exceptional high mountain landscapes. It is one of the largest lakes in the French Pyrenees.
Be careful, this is a site to avoid in high season. You will not be able to access it by hiking and will have to park and take the shuttle. I am a lover of lost and quiet corners, too little for me in high season. But that makes it a great place for families with picnic areas, swimming access and food outlets. There are also plenty of water activities offered on the lake.
I recommend the 11 lakes loop. The departure is from Lake Bouillouses near the Angles station in Capcir. You can discover a series of lakes in 3 or 5 hours depending on your itinerary. What a combination of lake and hiking! To prepare for your outing, read where to hike with your dog. There are many no-dog places in the Pyrenees…
Salagou lake in Hérault
Oh, how can you talk about lakes without mentioning MY lake in this top 10 dog-friendly lakes in France!
It's been 5 years since I settled in theHérault with Musher and not a month goes by that I don't go to the lake. We are 45min away by road but I do them without hesitation to go to the Salagou lake. It is an exceptional place that I love. I never tire of this magical setting. The lake is surrounded by red earth. Change of scenery guaranteed!
As soon as the wind allows it, my dog and I go hiking. paddle boarding or canoeing on Lake Salagou. Musher loves this place at least as much as I do. As soon as she gets out of the car and realizes she's at the lake, she's electrified!!
In summer there are a lot of people but it is easy to find a small cove where you can swim in peace, provided you walk a little. Be careful, the red soils capture the heat and when it's very hot, you feel a bit like in an oven there... Parasol, shade and unlimited water are mandatory to enjoy Lake Salagou and, avoid heatstroke in dogs !
Please note, if you have a beautiful, well-groomed white dog, you might be surprised… The grounds of the lake being red, your dog will come back from vacation all rosy! But rest assured, a little rinsing and your dog will regain his white fleece.
In summer, as in every water point, if the water temperature rises too much, the cyanobacteria can develop. Be vigilant and carefully monitor the water quality before jumping into the water, regardless of the lake or river.
Find QUALIDOG-certified accommodation near a water point
Do you want to spend your vacation with your dog on the water? Find a selection of QUALIDOG-certified accommodation close to a swimmable water point!
Lake Pareloup in Aveyron
Le Pareloup Lake is located on the Lévézou plateau in Aveyron. Located between Rodez and Millau, it is a pretty lake that is worth the detour.
Beach, towel, cooler, friends or family, shovel and bucket... it's all there! You are about to have a nice time with your family and your dog. Except pooch isn't just going to just lay there next to you. His paws tingle, he wants to play! I always have a floating toy with me! Musher never tires of fetching it from the water. She's crazy about her dog frisbee. Consider dragging his favorite floating toy for fun together at the lake!
Géradmer lake in the Vosges
Let's go to the east of France to continue our top 10 dog-friendly lakes in France where to go swimming this summer. Direction the Vosges in Geradmer Lake. Located in the middle of the Vosges firs, the 6 km of marked trails allow a nature walk by the lake, whether on foot, by cani-scooter in bike with your dog… All means are good to discover this natural space with your dog.
Lac du Der: between the departments of Marne and Haute-Marne
The lake of Der is today one of the most popular tourist sites in the Alsace-Lorraine-Champagne-Ardenne region. We are not going to lie to each other, the conditions of reception with your dog are strict and precise... (discover the conditions for welcoming dogs at Lac du Der), but as soon as the weather is nice it's THE place to be as they say! It's a bit like the sea that the people of Champagne don't have near their homes. Canoeing, pedal boating… once again, this is an ideal place for water sports fans.
And for those who love serenity and aspire to rejuvenation in this 100% natural place, I advise you to opt for the doga-paddle. It's doing yoga with your dog on your paddle: a 100% refreshing combo if you don't have a good balance, lol! But 100% zen if you master the subject well. I bought myself a small anchor that I throw in the water to prop up my paddle, I lie down with my dog and I do a few yoga positions. It's a moment of beautiful complicity that I love! Try ! Suddenly, we hear the birds, the wind, the lapping of the water... We travel, we disconnect...
Tips from Musher and Sophie: – “You do not know what material to choose for your dog? Discover here the comparison of life jackets for dogs!”
Vassière Lake
It is the main body of water in the Limousin. In a setting of forests and moors, Lake Vassivière is a 100% natural place to discover if you are around. I have already told you about it in our top 7 tourist-free and intimate destinations to discover with your dog.
Discover this green setting as a family, with your dog. Cycling, hiking, canoeing... there's something for everyone, all tastes and all levels!
Biscarosse lake
Head to the sea! Whether Biscarrosse is rather known and recognized for its beaches and its surfers, this seaside resort in the South West of France, located in the Landes has everything to please. If the beaches of Bisca are a dream, they are also dangerous places: the waves and currents of the Atlantic can be treacherous for your dog. Opt instead for the unsalted water lakes behind Biscarrosse: lake Latécoère or Biscarrosse lake. Away from the crowds, you will find something to swim in and rest to enjoy with your dog.
Do you want to discover all the secrets of Biscarrosse for your next vacation with your dog? Follow our 2 Biscarrosse guides Havana and Sabine in the article Sharing great holidays in Biscarrosse with your dog.
Lake Annecy: one of the most beautiful lakes in France
I couldn't finish this top 10 without telling you about this pearl of Haute-Savoie. I would have happily put the Annecy lake in N°1 of this top 10 lakes to discover with your dog but if the place is magical, it is unfortunately far from being dog-friendly. Its crystal clear waters make it an exceptional place but all the equipped beaches on the edges of the lake are strictly forbidden to dogs. And there are very few wild accesses to enjoy it, away with your dog... The only way to enjoy it is to rent a canoe, a paddle, a pedal boat or any other boat! You have to know how to bend the rules sometimes!
Also take the opportunity to visit Annecy, a magnificent city. To visit Annecy with your dog, discover the advice of Jedi, Odyssey and Laurie in the article Discover Annecy for a vacation with your dog.
And to finish the tour of the lakes of France, I wanted to talk to you about the Vouglans lake in the Jura. With its turquoise waters, it's a superb place that I loved discovering last summer with my dog. We also enjoyed the chalain lake Besides ! I also share with you a great lake: The Lake of La Mirande à Allevard en Isère ! It will blow your mind! Magnificent scenery guaranteed!
And that's it for this overview of the dog-friendly lakes of France to absolutely discover with your dog! I hope this top 10 has given you some ideas for your next duo swim!
And don't forget, if you go on vacation with your dog, subscribe to our account Facebook & Instagram to follow all our destination news. Also publish your photos with #takeondog. See you soon for new Wouafer's adventures!
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