The Bourget Lake, sometimes known as the Aix Lake or the Gray Lake, is a post-glacial lake in the Jura massif. It was created after the last Würm Glaciation, approximately 19,000 years ago, when the quaternary Alpine glacier receded. It is the largest natural glacial lake in France (excepti for the Léman Lake, which is partly located in Switzerland).
The Bourget Lake presents several examples of "lakeside settlements" from the Neolithic Period and the Bronze Age. Although some of these settlements have been known since 1856, others were only recently discovered by the Department of Sub-Aquatic Archeological and Sub-Marine Research (Ministry of Culture). An entire room at the Savoie Museum in Chambéry is dedicated to Bronze Age artisans from around the Bourget Lake.
During Roman times, the lake was an important shipping route. A village was constructed at the mouth of the Leysse River where it joins the Lake. The Bourget-du-Lac was first a port for merchants and travelers. This port, and the connection to the Rhône River, led to the development of river trade.
In 1030, Odilon, Abbot of Cluny, ordered the construction of six Priories whose splendid architectures can still be visited to this day. The Saint-Laurent Church, with its Priory and Gardens, are protected historical buildings. In 1248, Thomas II ordered the construction of a castle overlooking the reed beds at southern end of the lake. The castle is currently under renovation.
The lake was initially known as the Châtillon Lake due to the Chautagne Castle which controlled the shipping route towards Lyon. The name of Bourget Lake was only used starting in the eighth century.
The Savières Canal is a small waterway that runs between the Bourget Lake and the Rhône. It was used as a shipping lane starting in the Neolithic period and was the main route between France and Savoie. In the 19th century, it was canalized in order to facilitate navigation.
It is one of the rare waterways in Europe where the water flow can reverse completely depending on rises in the Rhône River. In such cases, the water level of the Bourget Lake can rise several meters as the water from the Rhône is added to the lake’s natural water flows.
For most Huguenots, excepting those who left France to the west or lived next to the coastline, their exile (after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes) included a march of several hundred, or even thousand, kilometers. Few owned donkeys or horses on which they could haul their belongings. Thus the navigable waterways played a key role in this exile. Refugees who had the means to, hired barks whenever their path followed a lake or other navigable waterway such as the Bourget Lake, the Léman Lake, the Neuchâtel Lake, the Morat Lake, or the Rhône.
The Savières Canal allowed refugees to use a bark from the port of the Bourget Lake all the way to northern Chautagne.
Le Château de Thomas II et son marais
Le Bourget-du-Lac
The Château is a residential building to the South of the lake, whose construction began in 1248, under the direction of Thomas II de Savoie. In 2012, one of its towers was turned into a museum, recounting the history of the marshlands by the Conservatoire d'Espaces Naturels Savoie.
The Château de Thomas II and its Marshlands
Le Bourget-du-Lac
The Château is a residential building to the South of the lake, whose construction began in 1248, under the direction of Thomas II de Savoie. In 2012, one of its towers was turned into a museum, recounting the history of the marshlands by the Conservatoire d'Espaces Naturels Savoie.
The Priory and its Formal French Garden
Le Bourget-du-Lac
This Cluniac Priory founded in the 11th century consists of a Gothic church, a Romanesque crypt and monastic buildings and gardens arranged around a long avenue.
Guided tours only.
On this hour-long walk from the Mont-du-Chat lookout, enjoy stunning views over the Dent du Chat and the Lac du Bourget, and admire the countryside with the orientation table.
This conservation area situated on the southern shores of the Lac du Bourget is a shelter for numerous plants and animals of the wetlands. Two observatories enable you explore this unusual environment. Access is restricted by the FRAPNA (Federation of Associations for the Protection of Nature in the Rhône-Alpes Region) .
On the banks of the Lac du Bourget, towards the South, a nature reserve shelters numerous plants and animals of the wetlands. Two observatories enable you to explore this unusual environment. Access to the Egret Pond Observatory is free.
Pour le bus A il s'arrête à Technolac et ne va plus au Bourget du lac. Autrement bus 173 Chambéry gare via Belley arrêt au Bourget du lac mairie, sauf dimanche et jours fériés.
Posté par Posté par Luc Rousset le 09/09/2017 le 09/09/2017 :
Petite info de riverains qui mon motivité (chemin (voie verte Nord Chambéry) à proximité de routes et pas de balisage) à faire cette étape en uilisant le bus Ligne A (arrêt à gauche en sortant de la gare) pour rejoindre Le Bourget du Lac pour 1,40€.
Posté par Isabelle Charest le 23/05/2017 :
Nous nous sommes arreté au gite '' La douceur de vivre''. recommandé par le ''petit futé 2017'' Petite chambre proprette, entrée commune et sale de bain partagée. Mais la table d'hote était succulente et les proprietaires cordiale et ouvert sur le monde et les gens qui l'habite. Nous avons eu une belle conversion au diner et Serge n'a pas heister a nous faire visité leur four a pain et a nous presenté a sa communauté avant notre départ le lendemain.
We will be happy to welcome you to this room situated in the wing of our house with a private car park.
This is a quiet place, easy to find, only a few kilometres from the motorway between the towns of Chambéry and Aix-Les-Bains.
Ile aux Cygnes International Campsite
CampsiteLe Bourget-du-Lac
This 3-star international campsite on the lakefront with a private beach and harbour. Option of online booking via Résanet.
Lots of sports and leisure activities nearby (watersports, tennis, beach, cycling paths, etc.).
Campervan reception/service area
Camper van service/reception areaLe Bourget-du-Lac
Reception/service area entirely reserved for campervans. With 29 pitches, it also offers a service wall: wastewater drainage and drinking water refills, but no electrical connections; adjacent to the Ile aux Cygnes Campsite.
Atmosphères Hotel
Hotel - restaurantLe Bourget-du-Lac
The Atmosphères Hotel is a culinary inn for modern times: Alain and Delphine offer you a zen welcome, cuisine with a personal touch and a wine list centred on local Savoy wines. Four modern bedrooms with a view of the lake or the natural surroundings complete the welcome.
Enjoy a quiet, warm and family atmosphere in a special setting by the lake and mountains, and at the edge of the largest natural lake in France.
The hotel is situated close to Savoie Technolac (less than 1 km). Lovingly prepared creative cuisine by our new chef.
Hotel located in a shopping area, 5 mn from Lake Bourget, on the banks of the River Leysse and its cycling path, and 5 mn from the Exhibition Centre and the Phare. Landiers Nord exit in the direction of the airport.
Steakhouse and pizzeria with a seating capacity of 60.
Nostrum, a fast food outlet at the Savoy Technolac for a quick lunch "just like at home", to eat in or to take with you on a stroll along the lakeshore.
In a nice setting with 2 large terraces, Pepone offers regional products selected for a pizza in all its forms. But also meats, fish and generous salads, all homemade with fresh products.
Contemporary gourmet cuisine (awarded 1 star in the 2019 Michelin Guide), restaurant with modern decor in an intimate setting. Panoramic view of Lake Bourget and the surrounding mountains.
Located midway between the town and the country, our chef has opened his restaurant far from the madding crowd, and offering tasteful cuisine, in the traditions of French gastronomy. A warm setting for your business or family meals.
Friendly restaurant located opposite the lake, with traditional cuisine and Savoy specialties (tartiflette, fondue) as well as frogs' legs and fried food.
With your feet in the water next to the Marina Office, take the time to enjoy an ice cream, a sandwich, hot "panini" sandwiches, homemade hamburgers and pizzas...
