Where to swim in the lakes of the Grand Est this summer?

Vosges: coolness and swimming in the heart of the massif

Lake Gérardmer

Gérardmer is the lake that lives with its town. Waterside cafés and terraces, hotels that open up to the view, a lively municipal beach... summer is in full swing here. You can enjoy a pedalo ride, hoist a sail or climb on a bateau-mouche to hear the history of the area. The atmosphere is cheerful, dynamic, almost urban, but always with the water as a fresh escape. When the sun goes down, the riverbanks light up and Gérardmer becomes an open-air summer scene. In the evening, the golden light settles on the water and the shores come alive. It's the essence of summer: immersion, fun and relaxation.

Lake Longemer

Summer at Xonrupt-Longemer is a gentle affair. The crystal-clear water invites you to take a peaceful dip, away from the hustle and bustle, while the forest is reflected in the lake's tranquil mirror. You can walk slowly along the banks, take a boat trip or go fishing in this peaceful lake. The easy footpaths offer soothing views of the Vosges mountains. Longemer is a summer spot where time seems to stand still, a simple, serene stopover that exudes tranquillity.

Lorraine: wide open spaces and swimming in the heart of nature

Lake Madine

The warm sand under your fingers, and the joyful echoes of a summer by the sea in the air. Lac de Madine is like a seaside summer in Lorraine. You can swim on the supervised beaches, laze on the deckchairs and feel the wind fill the sails. The atmosphere is resolutely summery, with colourful towels, water games and parasols planted in the sand. But Lac de Madine also has another face: that of a natural sanctuary. Binoculars in hand, you can head for the ornithological observatories to catch a glimpse of herons and migrating geese. Between sunshine and wild moments, the day is a double promise: fun and contemplation.

Champagne: between inland sea and white sandy beaches

Lake Der

The 4,800-hectare Lac du Der looks like an inland sea. Put down the cool box, settle down on the sand and already the pontoons are buzzing with diving and laughter. Here, summer is on full display: fine sandy beaches, sailboats colouring the horizon, catamarans and kayaks bobbing on the water. The afternoons are filled with water games, lounging under the parasols and soaking up the sun on the waves. But Lac du Der is also home to the thrill of the great migrations: in autumn, thousands of grey cranes take to the skies. Rarely does a lake manage to combine the festive energy of summer with the spectacular breath of nature.

Lac d'Orient

Lac d'Orient has that summer flavour that blends nature and holidays. Its long sandy beaches, lined with pine trees, are reminiscent of seaside resorts, but here everything remains peaceful. You can take a dip in the cool water to soak up the heat, pedal quietly along the vélovoie, and discover a discreet cove to lie in the sun. Then it's time to shelter under the trees, lulled by the wind and the lapping of the water. Lac d'Orient strikes the perfect balance: a lake that pulses like a holiday beach, while retaining the wild soul of an unspoilt area.

Dive into the heart of summer in Eastern France

Whether you're planting your parasol on the golden beaches of Le Der, floating in the clear waters of Longemer, enjoying the seaside atmosphere of Madine or cooling off in the blue waves of Gérardmer and Orient... every lake in the Grand Est region has a taste of summer. Here, the heat can be tamed with a dip, a laugh on the edge of a pontoon, a boat trip or a picnic with your feet in the water.
So, are you ready to unroll your towel, slip on your flip-flops and dive into this great aquatic playground?