Chambéry - Le Bourget du Lac

Infos pratiquesPractical info
Distance : 11.2km
Time : 3h
Elevation uphill : + 28m
Elevation downhill : - 69m
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LE BOURGET DU LAC

 
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. 
Lac du Bourget - Office du tourisme du Bourget-du-Lac Château  - E-Com-Photos.eu C. Baudot  - M. Bouron – CEN Savoie pour MB Thomas Le-Bourget-du-Lac - E-Com-Photos.eu C. Baudot Prieuré - E-Com-Photos.eu C. Baudot

Tourist information

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La Motte-Servolex

Bourget-du-lac, Château Thomas II - © P.Lemaître, Fondation Facim (2)

Le Bourget-du-Lac

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Guided tour : Thomas II castle  Le Bourget-du-Lac

Tour the Château Thomas II at the Lac du Bourget.

Telephone : 04 79 88 68 00

Prieur+® et jardins (17)

Visit the Bourget du Lac Priory  Le Bourget-du-Lac

Visit the Bourget du Lac Priory, founded in the 11th century.

Telephone : 04 79 88 68 00

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Le Bourget-du-Lac

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Botanical Trail Lookout  Le Bourget-du-Lac

Lookout with a view of the Lac du Bourget, accessible via the Relais route.

Telephone : 04 79 88 68 00

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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.

Telephone : 04 79 88 68 00

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The Molard Noir  Le Bourget-du-Lac

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.

Telephone : 04 79 88 68 00

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Mont du Chat Belvedere  Le Bourget-du-Lac

A breathtaking panoramic view of Lac du Bourget from this lookout and its orientation table.

Telephone : 04 79 88 68 00

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Chapelle de la Roche St Alban  Le Bourget-du-Lac

A charming little chapel in the hamlet of Roche St Alban.

Telephone : 04 79 88 68 00

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Church of Saint Laurent  Le Bourget-du-Lac

Behind an unassuming façade, this church is full of treasures, such as the crypt and the rood screen.

Telephone : 04 79 88 68 00

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Pierre Nioule Lookout  Le Bourget-du-Lac

Lookout over the Lac du Bourget, accessible via a hiking trail of the same name.

Telephone : 04 79 88 68 00

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Lac du Bourget Observatory  Le Bourget-du-Lac

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) .

Telephone : 04 79 85 20 03

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Croix du Signal Lookout  Le Bourget-du-Lac

A beautiful lookout over the Lac du Bourget and the Avant Pays Savoyard – accessible only on foot.

Telephone : 04 79 88 68 00

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Egret Pond Observatory  Le Bourget-du-Lac

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.

Telephone : 04 79 85 20 03

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Gardens of the Priory  Le Bourget-du-Lac


Posté par Christiane Fernandez le 07/06/2019 :

 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.



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Tourist Offices

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Aix-les-Bains Riviera des Alpes Tourism Office/Bourget-du-Lac Reception Office  Tourism institutionsLe Bourget-du-Lac

Come and discover Aix-les-Bains Riviera des Alpes owing to to the advice of our expert staff !

Telephone : 04 79 88 68 00

Accommodation Partners Accommodation Partners

Other Accommodations

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Bed & breakfastLa Motte-Servolex

VUE AERIENNE CENTRE NAUTIQUE YCBL LE BOURGET DU LAC

YCBL nautical center  Holiday centresLe Bourget-du-Lac

Our YCBL sailing center is a Club, Sailing School and Sport Leisure School, with accommodation and catering.

Telephone : 04 79 25 21 66

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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.).

Telephone : 04 79 25 01 76

Bed & breakfastLe Bourget-du-Lac

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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.

Telephone : 04 79 25 01 76

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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.

Telephone : 04 79 25 01 29

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Savoy Hotel  Hotel - restaurantLe Bourget-du-Lac

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.

Telephone : 04 79 26 40 00

Restaurants

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Mini golf snack bar  RestaurantLe Bourget-du-Lac

Sandwiches and salads prepared on the spot, facing the beach. Eat in or take out. Fresh and local products.

Telephone : 06 07 65 22 38

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RestaurantLa Motte-Servolex

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Pizzeria Pepone  RestaurantLa Motte-Servolex

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.

Telephone : 04 79 65 28 21

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Restaurant du Port  RestaurantLe Bourget-du-Lac

Right on the edge of the lake, you can enjoy local specialties: lake fish, fried food and frogs' legs. Fresh, homemade cuisine since 1900.

Telephone : 04 79 25 00 21

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La Frégate  RestaurantLe Bourget-du-Lac

Located on the beach at Le Bourget du Lac, La Frégate offers a wide choice of salads, meats and tapas. A beach area with deckchair rental, snack bar and ice cream, all with a breathtaking view of the lake. Entertainment and evenings are available on their website.

Telephone : 06 24 31 73 54

Other Services

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ServicesLe Bourget-du-Lac

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Allo JC Taxi  ServicesLe Bourget-du-Lac

Jean-Claude welcomes you aboard his taxi!

Telephone : 06 30 29 03 89

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