The best semi-rigid lake and river trips in France
Previously, we told you about our top 10 best destinations for a semi-rigid sea trip in France.
But of course, these aren't the only opportunities for sailing in our country!
The lakes and rivers of France also offer a plethora of wonderful landscapes in which to take a trip on a semi-rigid boat.
So, if you're looking for places to sail in freshwater, here's our pick of the top 10 lakes and rivers for scenic 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 breathtaking views of the Alps. Sailing on the lake, you can discover picturesque villages and magnificent beaches.
2. The Dordogne
The Dordogne is a river famous for its medieval castles and historic villages. It crosses several departments in south-west France (Puy-de-Dôme, Cantal, Corrèze, Lot, Dordogne and Gironde), offering a varied landscape of forests, cliffs, vineyards and hills for a real journey back in time.
3. Lake Serre-Ponçon
This artificial lake is located not far from the town of Gap, in the Hautes-Alpes department, PACA region. Its crystal blue waters, surrounded by mountains, offer spectacular views, as well as man-made beaches and coves. Water activities including waterskiing, wakeboarding and kitesurfing are of course all part of the package!
4. The Canal du Midi
The Canal du Midi is a historic canal that crosses the Occitanie and PACA regions, passing through the mythical towns of Castelnaudary, Carcassonne, Narbonne and Toulouse. Lined with trees and picturesque villages, the Canal du Midi offers a charming landscape for a leisurely cruise through the regions depicted in the works of Marcel Pagnol.
5. Lac du Bourget
Located in Savoie and 18 kilometres long, Lac du Bourget offers panoramic views of the Alps and Hautecombe Abbey, with ideal temperatures for swimming in summer (up to 26°!).
It also has a substantial water sports offering, and you can enjoy: sailing, rowing, canoeing, rafting, fishing, diving, water skiing, wake-boarding... from no fewer than 14 ports such as the unmissable town of Aix-les-Bains. Take the opportunity to make a detour to Chambéry too!
6. The Verdon and Lake Sainte-Croix
Located in southern 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 Gérardmer, famous for its film festival, is also famous for its lake! Situated at an altitude of 660 metres, this covers 115 hectares, making it the largest freshwater lake in the Vosges. With supervised swimming from June to September, this is a popular destination for the region's fishermen, and you can also try your hand at traditional water sports.
8. The Loire
The longest river in France, the Loire flows through 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 leisurely cruise.
9. Lake Geneva
Located between France and Switzerland, Lake Geneva is the largest natural lake in Western Europe, and as such offers a playground beyond compare for RIB outings. Unique in more ways than one, sailing on Lake Geneva stands out from other bodies of water and rivers in our country, as we discussed in our article on boat licences. The programme includes 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 end this top with a surprise, as for this final stop it's Brittany we're heading to! Yes, while the region is full of wonders on the seaside, you can also sail inland on rivers such as the Odet.
Located in Finistère this coastal river rises in the Black Mountains, and will take you on a journey to Quimper through the Stangala gorges, before flowing into the Atlantic at Bénodet.
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