Lake Chalain

Lake Chalain is located on the land of Fontenu, in the department of Jura (canton of Clairvaux-les-Lacs), on the edge of the second plateau, 30 kilometres from Lons-le-Saunier and 15 kilometres from Champagnole. It is the largest lake of the Jura. It was formed by glaciers and men have walked its shores for centuries : the signs of the first “tourists” living on this lakeside go back to 3,600 years BC. The place is so full of prehistoric remains that it has become a centre for European archaeology. Since the 1950s, Lake Chalain is the property of the Jura region and a significant tourist centre has been set up at one end of the lake. Tourists from the Franche-Comté region as well as Europe (Dutch, English, Swiss...) come in droves. This situation has also allowed for the site to be listed as a totally protected area (motor boats are, for example, banned). Depending on the season, Lake Chalain and its surroundings offer the opportunity for a large number of open air activities.

The water, of an excellent quality, allows for a relaxing risk-free swim during the whole summer season, supervised by qualified life-guards. The size of Lake Chalain (230 hectares) is such that lots of nautical activities can be practised such as sailing, boating, canoeing and windsurfing.
Walkers and mountain bikers also have the opportunity to do the tour of the lake, about 9 kilometres. Many paths allow for a variety of walks adapted to the physical condition of everyone. Lake Chalain is surrounded by many sites that must not be missed : the

Herisson falls, the Fontenu panoramic viewpoint…and for rainy days, a visit to the toy museum in Moirans-en-Montagne.
Even during the winter season, you can appreciate the calm and beauty of the site on a snowshoe outing on the forest pathways that circle Lake Chalain.