Aiguebelette lake in Savoie, the emerald pearl

Imagine a mountain rising, almost impassable like a wall. At his feet, a turquoise or emerald pearl depending on the weather. By taking exit 12 on the A 43 you come straight to the lake and into another world, made of tranquility and serenity.

By parking in front of the Maison du Lac, you immediately forget the road traffic. La Maison du Lac is the perfect place to learn about the activities to do in the Pays du lac d'Aiguebelette.

A small museum traces the life of the lake over the seasons.

Since 2015, the lake and an area of ​​the L'Épine mountain range have been classified as a nature reserve.
The quality of the water is strictly monitored and no boat or other thermal engine is authorized on the lake. Which makes the site even more enjoyable! However, you can take full advantage of the water: on its base at Lake Aiguebelette, "Vertes Sensations" offers the rental of electric boats, canoes, paddleboards, bicycles, but also introductory courses, the discovery of rock climbing or even paragliding.

As no engine disturbs the peace, the ducks and other great crested grebes are not disturbed. Seven small beaches and coves invite you to swim in water at an average temperature of 27°C.

Have you ever admired with great envy these silhouettes that glide elegantly over the waters of a lake on a paddle? Dream no more and try the slightly less balancing act, the step paddle.

These paddles are equipped with pedals and you just have to raise and lower your feet to move forward.

The handlebars are used to keep your balance and the two handles allow you to steer the board to the right or to the left. Everyone progresses at their own pace, enjoying this delicious sensation of sliding on the surface of the lake. Thanks to its stability, you don't need to be in a bathing suit: in principle, you won't fall.

In principle, because it is better not to make sudden movements so as not to lose the balance which remains a little fragile all the same.
Right next to the Maison du Lac, Pascal and Stéphanie rent step paddles, stand paddles but also pedal boats and canoes.

Our only regret: it is not possible to go around the lake at the edge of the water. But hikers can rest assured: they will find what they are looking for on a network of 420 km of marked trails.
With a view of the lake, the Rhône or the Dent du chat, there is something for everyone. Paragliding, via ferrata, climbing, tree climbing allow you to let off steam.

Electric scooters are another way to tour the area. The machines have nothing to do with those small scooters that slalom between cars or pedestrians.

The all-terrain machines offered by Stéphane, who has created Trott'e-Xperience, have large wheels and a solid chassis. Getting started is fairly quick and all you have to do is follow Stéphane on the small roads, paths crossing meadows, forest paths.

Thanks to electric power, climbing is effortless and non-athletes have the pleasure of enjoying magnificent viewpoints without getting tired! Stéphane adapts each outing to the physical condition and wishes of the visitors. This ranges from a simple initiation ride (45 minutes) to a gourmet ride (2h30, with visits and tastings) via a heritage and discovery circuit (2h). Stéphane can take 6 people. Two scooters are suitable for children from 8 years old.

One of the routes proposed by Stéphane goes through the cheese dairy in Ayn.

This is where Christelle and Michelle offer Savoie cheeses produced by the Yenne dairy cooperative and other regional specialities.

An interactive space explains how Tomme de Savoie is made.

In terms of accommodation, and always with the same concern for preserving the natural environment, the large hotel complexes are absent from the landscape. Bed and breakfasts, campsites (with chalets or simple tents), small family hotels offer a warm welcome.

In the restaurants, the chefs favor cuisine based on regional products. A cuisine that is always tasty, whether simple dishes or gourmet recipes.