Its emerald blue waters wind through the green, rolling forests of the Jura. Its origins may be man-made, but you can’t help but think that nature always has good taste when it comes to blending colors. As you can imagine, it’s a dream setting: picture the magnificent blue Lake Ambérieu, but stretching 35 kilometers long and perfect for swimming.
Lake Vouglans and its 600 million cubic meters of blue water
With this heat wave, we’re all in the same boat: finding a way to escape the heat when Lyon seems to be once again at the epicenter of the heatwave. Fortunately , the region has several tricks up its sleeve, and this time, the path leads us straight to the Jura.
Lake Vouglans has three fully equipped swimming spots: Mercantine Beach, Bellecin Beach , and Surchauffant Beach. These three sandy beaches, each with shaded areas, are lifeguard-patrolled from July through August and feature free parking and all the amenities you need. Finally, if you’d like to extend your stay, there are two campgrounds located near the Mercantine and Surchauffant beaches.
If you’re the adventurous type, you won’t be bored. The lake offers a wide range of water activities , from canoeing to stand-up paddleboarding and pedal boats. The Bellecin Sports Center also lets you enjoy all kinds of activities around the lake (mountain biking, rock climbing, canyoning, archery…).
The Jura: A Visual Poem of Eastern France
Just like Lake Vouglans as seen from the sky, the Jura is a visual masterpiece. A region of many facets, it alternates between mountain landscapes and ancient vineyards. The food here is absolutely divine, and if you love scenic drives, they’ll be served to you on a silver platter. A “Swiss Army knife” of a region—a nod to its Swiss neighbor.
Among its many treasures, we recommend heading a little further north to the villages of Baume-les-Messieurs and Château-Chalon. Within a radius of barely 15 kilometers, you’ll find two of the most beautiful villages imaginable. Baume-les-Messieurs, a magnificent little town, is known as much for its architectural heritage as for its natural surroundings. Château-Chalon is a tiny village that is, nonetheless, world-renowned for its vin jaune (and its sunsets).
Let’s not forget that Lake Vouglans is a sensitive natural area. The Jura department is doing everything it can to preserve the area’s biodiversity and ensure it remains open to the public. Its preservation also depends, above all, on each and every one of us.
