Discover the lakes of Lorraine!
The weather's fine, it's hot and all you want to do is cool off by the water! Take a trip with your family or friends to Lorraine's most beautiful lakes and ponds. These are veritable oases of greenery close to Metz and Nancy, where you can enjoy the pleasures of a holiday. What's on the programme? Swimming, walking or lounging on the beach!
2 of Lorraine's great lakes
Lac de Madine and Lac de Gérardmer, names that sound like an invitation to travel. And with good reason, these stretches of water in Lorraine have an air of being somewhere else, somewhere between the seaside and an exotic lagoon! Ideal destinations for cooling off in the heat, for a change of scenery or simply for family fun.
Lac de Madine
Between Metz and Nancy, in the heart of Lorraine's Regional Nature Park, Lac de Madine offers the very best in summer leisure activities! Swimming, pedalos, windsurfing, paddle boarding, sand castles on the beach... take a dip in this magnificent lake! The Nonsard marina is also ideal for a relaxing stroll among the boats or an ice cream by the water. If you want to prolong the pleasures of the water and fully savour this holiday atmosphere, don't hesitate to stay in one of the accommodations on the shores of the lake (hotels, gîtes, campsites and B&Bs). Enjoy the dolce vita in your swimming costume in a picture-postcard setting!
Lake Gérardmer
Head south to discover the largest natural lake in the Vosges! A blue jewel nestling among the fir trees, Lac de Gérardmer is a breath of fresh air for those who enjoy water sports in summer. Canoeing, sailing, rowing, pedal-boating... there's everything you need to enjoy the coolness of the water. If you fancy a swim in the lake, head for the Union Nautique beach, recognisable from afar by its diving board! You can also walk or cycle around the lake, a lovely 6km family trail.
Where to swim in Lorraine?
Bodies of water and leisure centres in Lorraine
Take advantage of Lorraine's gentle way of life at one of its many lakes!
At Rhodes, the Etang du Stock is a great water playground for all the family. Put your towel down on the beach at Langatte and let the summer atmosphere wash over you! Right next door, the leisure centre gives you access to a wide range of water-based activities as well as a wellness centre. Supervised swimming (in season), water games and a siesta in the shade of a parasol are also on the programme at the Etang de la Mutche. A vast stretch of water in an exceptional setting just 50 km from Metz!
And if you fancy a quiet, refreshing stopover during your stay in Lorraine, don't hesitate to discover more confidential lakes such as those at Walsheid or the Base de loisirs du Colvert. These are pleasant places where you can swim, relax and have fun (pedalos, waterslides, etc.) for a special family moment!
Lakes and unspoilt natural sites in Lorraine
Some of Lorraine's bodies of water are not open to bathing, but are nonetheless ideal destinations for cooling off in the height of summer.
If you love nature and forest bathing, the Lac de Pierre-Percée is the place for you. Located 30 minutes from Baccarat, the city of crystal, this superb lake is reminiscent of Canadian landscapes, with its maple leaf shape and fir tree-lined banks. Give yourself a moment of freedom on the water by hiring a canoe or kayak, and take the time to observe the wildlife. The lake also lends itself to superb nature activities on land (hiking, mountain biking, archery, tree climbing, etc.) or in the air (giant zip line and even bungee jumping!). Swimming is not permitted on this unspoilt natural site, but it is at the Lac de la Plaine, just a few kilometres away.
Another of Lorraine's natural nuggets is the Etang de Lachaussée, where you can wrap yourself in the calm and cool of summer. This regional nature reserve is home to a huge number of birds that come to nest in the reed beds and wet meadows. The perfect place for a nature walk, between pond and forest, just 1 hour from Metz and Nancy!