The best lake and river trips to do in a RIB in France
Previously, we talked to you about our top 10 best destinations for a semi-rigid sea trip in France.
But naturally, these are not the only opportunities to sail in our country!
The lakes and rivers of France also offer a plethora of wonderful landscapes for a semi-rigid boat ride.
So, if you're looking for places to sail in fresh water, here is our selection of the 10 best lakes and rivers for picturesque cruises in France.
1. Lake Annecy
Located in Haute-Savoie, Lake Annecy is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in France. It is surrounded by mountains and offers a breathtaking view of the Alps. While sailing on the lake, you can discover picturesque villages and beautiful beaches.
2. The Dordogne
The Dordogne is a river famous for its medieval castles and historic villages. It crosses several departments in the southwest of France (Puy-de-Dôme, Cantal, Corrèze, Lot, Dordogne, and Gironde), offering a varied landscape of forests, cliffs, vineyards, and hills for a true journey through time.
3. Lake Serre-Ponçon
This artificial lake is located not far from the city of Gap, in the Hautes-Alpes department, PACA region. Its crystal-clear blue waters surrounded by mountains offer a spectacular view, as well as developed beaches and coves. Water activities including water skiing, wakeboarding, and kitesurfing are, of course, part of the experience!
4. The Canal du Midi
The Canal du Midi is a historic canal that crosses the Occitanie and PACA regions, passing through the mythical cities of Castelnaudary, Carcassonne, Narbonne, and Toulouse. Lined with trees and picturesque villages, the Canal du Midi offers a charming landscape for a tranquil cruise in the regions depicted in the works of Marcel Pagnol.
5. Lake Bourget
Located in Savoie and 18 kilometers long, Lake Bourget offers panoramic views of the Alps and the Abbey of Hautecombe, with ideal temperatures for swimming in the summer (up to 26°C!).
It also has a significant nautical offer, and you can practice: sailing, rowing, canoeing, rafting, fishing, diving, water skiing, wakeboarding... from no less than 14 ports including the must-visit city of Aix-les-Bains. Also take the opportunity to make a detour to Chambéry!
6. The Verdon and Lake Sainte-Croix
Located in the south of France straddling the departments of Var and Alpes de Haute Provence, the Verdon is a river offering spectacular gorges and unique rock formations. The region is famous for its outdoor activities, including canoeing, kayaking, and rafting.
7. Lake Gerardmer
The town of Gerardmer, famous for its film festival, is also known for its lake! Located at an altitude of 660 meters, it spans 115 hectares, making it the largest body of freshwater in the Vosges. Supervised swimming from June to September, a prime destination for fishermen in the region, you can also indulge in traditional water sports there.
8. The Loire
France's longest river, the Loire crosses several regions, including Burgundy, Centre-Val de Loire, and Pays de la Loire. It is lined with castles and historic villages, offering a picturesque landscape for a peaceful cruise.
9. Lake Geneva
Located between France and Switzerland, Lake Geneva is the largest natural lake in Western Europe, offering a unique playground for semi-rigid outings. Unique in more ways than one, navigation on Lake Geneva stands out from other bodies of water and rivers in our country, as we discussed in our article on boat licenses. On the agenda, panoramic views of the mountains and their vineyard slopes, and access to picturesque towns such as Thonon-les-Bains and Evian-les-Bains.
10. The Odet
Let's finish this top with a surprise, as for this last stop, we head to Brittany! Yes, while the region is full of sea wonders, you can also navigate inland on waterways such as the Odet.
Located in Finistère, this coastal river originates in the Black Mountains, and will take you on a journey to Quimper passing through the Stangala gorges, before flowing into the Atlantic at Bénodet.
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