Lac de la Plaine

Lac de la Plaine is a man-made reservoir tucked into the Plaine valley, straddling the border between the Vosges and Meurthe-et-Moselle departments in France's Grand Est region. Sitting just below the larger Lac de Pierre-Percée, it forms part of one of the most visited outdoor leisure areas in the Vosges mountains.

Where is the lake located?

The reservoir lies within the commune of Celles-sur-Plaine, close to the village that gives the lake its name, roughly at coordinates 48.45°N, 6.93°E. Surrounded by the conifer forests typical of the Vosges massif, the lake sits right beside the Vieux Pré dam that created it.

Is it a natural lake or a reservoir?

Lac de la Plaine is entirely artificial. It was formed after French utility company EDF designed the Vieux Pré dam in 1983, built across a small tributary of the Plaine river. The dam itself was commissioned in 1993 and stands 78 metres high.

The reservoir has a practical hydrological role beyond recreation: it helps maintain minimum flow levels on the Meurthe and, further downstream, the Moselle river, offsetting water drawn for cooling at the Cattenom nuclear power plant. Functioning as a lower balancing basin, it feeds into the larger upstream Lac de Pierre-Percée, and together the two reservoirs hold a combined water reserve of around half a million cubic metres.

What can visitors do at the lake?

Despite its industrial origin, Lac de la Plaine has grown into a well-equipped outdoor recreation hub, run as a "pôle sports nature" leisure base. The site includes a supervised beach with a gentle slope into the water, picnic areas, a children's playground, and a small refreshment stand for snacks and drinks.

From April to September, visitors can join water-skiing, canoeing and kayaking, pedal boats, and inflatable water games, while pedal karts and mini-golf are available on dry land nearby. Several of these activities are shared with the neighbouring Lac de Pierre-Percée, so many visitors combine a stop at both lakes in a single day out.

Can you swim in the lake?

Yes. Supervised swimming is concentrated at the Lac de la Plaine leisure base rather than around Pierre-Percée, making it the designated bathing spot in the area. The gradual, sandy shoreline and lifeguard supervision during summer months make it a practical choice for families travelling with young children.

Frequently asked questions

Is Lac de la Plaine a natural lake? No. It is an artificial reservoir created by the Vieux Pré dam, which EDF designed in 1983 and put into service in 1993, standing 78 metres tall.

What purpose does the reservoir serve besides tourism? It helps regulate low-water flow on the Meurthe and Moselle rivers and compensates for water withdrawals used to cool the Cattenom nuclear power plant, working alongside the larger Pierre-Percée reservoir.

What water sports are available in summer? Water-skiing, canoeing, kayaking, pedal boats and inflatable water games, typically available from April through September and partly shared with Lac de Pierre-Percée.

Is there a supervised beach? Yes, the leisure base has a lifeguard-supervised beach with a gentle slope, suited to families with children.

How do you get to the lake? The reservoir is located in the commune of Celles-sur-Plaine in the Vosges department, within easy reach of the Plaine valley, right next to the Vieux Pré dam.