Lac de l'Abbaye

Lac de l'Abbaye is a glacial lake sitting at roughly 879 metres of altitude on the edge of the Jura Mountains, within the commune of Grande-Rivière, about 7 km south of Saint-Laurent-en-Grandvaux. It is also known locally as Lac de Grandvaux or Lac de la Grande Rivière and ranks among the best-known lakes of the Haut-Jura area.

Where does the lake's name come from?

The name refers to an abbey that stood on its shore from the 12th century onward, under the authority of the abbey of Saint-Claude. Little of the original monastic complex survives today except the church, which was rebuilt in the 19th century and remains the most visible trace of that religious community.

Can visitors swim in Lac de l'Abbaye?

The lake is privately owned, and swimming is not officially permitted. In practice, a small beach at a spot called L'Échappement is used for bathing during summer, and it is tolerated even though no lifeguard supervises it. Anyone planning to swim should treat it as an unsupervised spot without the usual beach facilities.

What water activities are available?

Windsurfing, sailing, canoeing, paddleboarding, fishing and rowing on the lake are reserved for guests of three establishments located on its shore: Hôtel Lou Granva, Hôtel de l'Abbaye and Ferme de Marguerite. These venues control access to equipment and water infrastructure, so visitors not staying there cannot arrange these activities independently.

How do you reach the lakeshore?

Several access points lead down to the water: next to the church, beside Hôtel Lou Granva, along a discovery trail, and near the former sawmill (scierie). This means the lake can be approached and admired from multiple spots even without booking a stay at one of the hotels mentioned above.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

A walking and cycling loop of 6.9 km runs around the lake, typically taking between one and a half and two hours to complete, not counting stops to enjoy the views. The path follows the shoreline and opens onto several viewpoints over the water and surrounding forest. A separate highlight is the Belvédère du Moulin, a viewpoint reachable by car, on foot or by mountain bike, offering a wider panorama over the lake and the Jura landscape beyond it.

Practical information

The former abbey church is open for free visits year-round, Wednesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 17:00.

Frequently asked questions

Is Lac de l'Abbaye suitable for swimming? The lake is privately owned and swimming is not officially authorised, but it is tolerated in summer at a small beach at L'Échappement. There is no lifeguard, so anyone swimming does so at their own risk.

Can you kayak or use a boat on the lake? Yes, but only as a guest of one of the three establishments on the shore: Hôtel Lou Granva, Hôtel de l'Abbaye or Ferme de Marguerite, since they are the ones providing access to water equipment.

Where does the lake's name come from? It comes from an abbey founded on its banks in the 12th century, which depended on the abbey of Saint-Claude. Only the church survives from that period, having been rebuilt in the 19th century.

How long does it take to walk around the lake? The loop trail around Lac de l'Abbaye covers 6.9 km and usually takes one and a half to two hours on foot, depending on how many stops are made for the views.

Where exactly is Lac de l'Abbaye located? The lake lies in the commune of Grande-Rivière in the Jura department, at around 879 metres of altitude on the edge of the Jura Mountains, roughly 7 km south of Saint-Laurent-en-Grandvaux.