Staying with your dog at Lake Bourget in Savoie
Are dogs allowed at Lake Bourget in Savoie? What can you discover at this lake between Aix-les-Bains, Chanaz, and Le Bourget? Where should you stay to enjoy Lake Bourget with your dog? Find all the answers in this article!
It's the largest glacial lake in France, and also one of the most beautiful lakes in our country: welcome to Lake Bourget, in Savoie ! Good news for lovers of mountains and clear waters, this idyllic alpine setting is also very suitable for holidays with your dog , as many trails and activities are open to our favorite canines.
To discover what to see and do with your dog at Lake Bourget , I'll let Ariane, from the Instagram account itineramagica, take over. She explored the area for a few days with Nevada, her beloved golden retriever, and her husband Geoffrey. What could be more natural than choosing a lakeside vacation when you have a golden retriever, THE dog that loves being wet the most! Along with a Labrador, of course 😜
Ariane did a fantastic job on the report. As a result, I just want to pack Musher in the car and take us on a little trip to Lake Bourget! Here's a selection of places they've personally recommended for exploring the lake and its surroundings.
Ariane, it's up to you to make us dream!
Summary
Stay in a holiday cottage in Savoie where dogs are welcome
Thank you Sophie, happy to introduce this magnificent destination to all the Wouafer's!
Finding peaceful accommodation is essential for a great holiday. That's why, before showing you the must-see spots explored with Nevada in Savoie, I'm sharing my tip for easily finding a dog-friendly gîte.
I've chosen Gîtes de France Savoie accommodation several times during my stays in the land of alpine pastures and cheeses: I love having an entire cottage, with space to cook, relax, and spend time with friends while feeling right at home . Ideally, I choose one with a garden so my dog can feel like he's on holiday too!
On the Gîtes de France Savoie website , you can select the "pets allowed" option to filter the available accommodations. Many Savoyard gîtes accept dogs.
For our stay at Lake Bourget, we chose a magnificent house in Viviers-du-Lac, nestled in a vast, flower-filled park filled with blossoms and birds singing in the morning. It had the atmosphere of an enchanted garden, with a small lake, lush lawns, and a pergola where we could enjoy afternoon tea under the shade of the large trees. We loved it, and so did Nevada!
So it was the ideal accommodation for exploring the area around Lake Bourget with our dog.
Walks and swimming on the shores of Lake Bourget
A pleasant surprise awaits at Lake Bourget: unlike other nearby lakes where dogs are prohibited almost everywhere, Lake Bourget is very welcoming to our four-legged friends. While the supervised beaches remain off-limits to dogs, many other areas of the lake allow them to stretch their legs and swim. You can find a list of these here: walks and hikes with a dog at Lake Bourget.
Staying in Viviers-du-Lac, south of Lake Bourget, we followed the advice of our favorite website and went for a walk along the Voie Verte (Greenway), between Rowing Beach and Mottets Beach, near Cap des Séselets. The dog-friendly area is almost 5 kilometers long , giving Nevada plenty of room to run around and swim!
That day, the mixed weather made the greenway almost deserted, very few bikes and cyclists, so I was even able to let the leash off in some places where I knew it wouldn't bother anyone.
Musher and Sophie: “Although the supervised beaches of Lake Bourget are off-limits to dogs during the summer season, there are still plenty of places where your dog can jump in the water, making it one of the most dog-friendly lakes! In addition to the area along the Green Way, you can enjoy the open spaces of Cap des Séselets or Mémard beach, outside the supervised zone 😉 There are also numerous coves and access points to the water along the 18 km loop around the lake. ”
The viewpoints above the lake: La Chambotte and Le Revard
To fully appreciate the scale and majesty of Lake Bourget with your dog, what better way than to gain some altitude? Several viewpoints offer panoramic views of the turquoise waters of the lake and the mountains overlooking it.
We chose two perfect viewpoints for the golden hour: the Belvédère de la Chambotte , located opposite the Hautecombe Abbey to the northeast of the lake, and the Belvédère du Revard , to the southeast of the lake, situated in an absolutely ideal way for the sunset : it falls in front of us in the middle of the peaks!
You can easily access these superb viewing platforms with your dog. These views will remain among our most beautiful memories of this trip to Savoie!
Note for food lovers: these two viewpoints each house a restaurant , both of which are dog-friendly. But be aware of the opening hours (we were unlucky): the Revard restaurant is only open for lunch, while the Chambotte restaurant is also open for dinner but closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Another idea for hiking above Lake Bourget: a beautiful walk leads from the TV relay parking lot, a few kilometers above the Col du Chat , to the Mollard Noir . This hike is accessible and suitable for dogs. If the rain hadn't changed my mind, I would have loved to admire the view of the lake and the Dent du Chat from the Mollard Noir – the light is most beautiful in the morning! However, I advise against continuing from the Mollard Noir to the summit of the Dent du Chat with your dog , due to the presence of four ladders and some vertigo-inducing sections.
Musher and Sophie: “Like Ariane, the views of the lakes surrounded by mountains are among my favorites… To continue to enjoy the breathtaking views while breathing deeply, I recommend you check out our article Hiking around the lakes of Savoie with your dog 🤩”
Cruise on Lake Bourget to Hautecombe Abbey
Do you feel like a freshwater sailor, and would you like to take your dog on a boat trip? From the port of Aix-les-Bains , the Compagnie des bateaux offers beautiful narrated cruises on the blue waters of Lake Bourget.
The guide is captivating, recounting the geological, historical, and aquatic wonders of this mysterious lake with its unsuspected depths, where a small part of the Jura Mountains meets the Alps and where the Dukes of Savoy loved to rest for eternity. Indeed, Hautecombe Abbey served as the necropolis of the House of Savoy for several centuries, and the last King of Italy also chose it as his final resting place!
We chose the cruise with an extended stop at the abbey , in order to have time to visit it.
Please note: dogs are welcome on the boat and at the abbey , but not inside the church itself . There were two of us, so my husband and I were able to take turns visiting it. The church is well worth a visit, with its magnificent Gothic tracery and the impressive gallery of recumbent effigies marking the tombs of Savoyard aristocrats! As for our dog, Nevada, she loved the large lawns surrounding the abbey grounds.
Visit Chanaz, one of the prettiest villages in Savoy
You have probably already seen postcards of Chanaz , this delightful village crossed by a canal lined with geraniums, where the houses come to rest on the water's edge and where the alleyways cultivate their flowery atmosphere.
Chanaz is small, the visit is quick, but it's well worth the trip, as it truly has a captivating charm. Nevada spotted several spots where she could swim in one of the canals , so she gave Chanaz her seal of approval just as much as we did!
If you'd like to have lunch by the water, we recommend booking in advance, as these lovely tables with a view are very popular. We chose the Auberge de Savières and loved watching the families of swans glide across the blue waters while we enjoyed our meal!
Besides, why not join them for a kayak or boat trip?
Kayaking session on the Savières canal, from Chanaz to Lake Bourget
The trip on the Savières canal, from Chanaz to Lake Bourget, is a great Savoyard classic: an idyllic walk on calm waters in a green setting, between meadows and reedbeds at the mouth!
Most people do it by renting a small boat without a license, but why not choose the sporty option by doing it in a kayak ? It's not difficult, and it's so beautiful!
We rented our kayaks from Prolynx Sport at the Portout base (under the canal bridge in Chanaz) and we were able to embark in a 3-seater kayak with Nevada : two paddlers and a tourist!
Musher and Sophie: “You can also embark on your own kayak for an enchanting trip. We have published a guide to starting canoeing and kayaking with your dog : how to get your dog used to it, what equipment to choose, which outings to prioritize… You will know everything to make the trip a pleasure for both you and your dog!”
The trip is magnificent. The round trip, including a detour to one of the beaches on Lake Bourget, is about 10 kilometers , but it's not difficult: no rapids and a gentle current. Arriving at the lake is a highlight, as you paddle through reedbeds where coots , moorhens, and great crested grebes nest—it's delightful! Of course, you carefully respect the marker posts for the navigable area so as not to disturb the wildlife. On your left as you reach the lake, you head towards one of the small, secluded coves where you can land your kayaks and take a break for a swim and some relaxation. The perfect afternoon!
A quick safety tip : when I go kayaking or paddleboarding with Nevada , I always put a harness on her so I can easily retrieve her if she falls in the water. My harness is from Decathlon Outdog. Nevada swims very well, so I only use a "simple" harness, not a life jacket , but if you want to be completely reassured, you can also buy one at Decathlon; they have them in the same collection.
Thanks Ariane for these wonderful discoveries, they make me want to explore the region! You can follow Ariane on her Instagram account @itineramagica where she shares everything about the destinations she visits with Nevada. A real breath of fresh air and always colorful photos to inspire you 🤩
I hope this article has given you some ideas for organizing your stay in Savoie with your dog. To summarize Ariane's top tips:
- start by looking for pet-friendly accommodation,
- book your dog-friendly restaurants and outings
- to take in the breathtaking views from the beach or the viewpoints
- And let's not forget Musher and Nevada's favorite moment: swimming!
Have you ever been to Lake Bourget with your dog? Tell us about it in the comments to share your activity ideas and favorite spots!
