The Most Beautiful Swimming Spots in the Alps

Living close to the mountains is an advantage. It allows for hiking, skiing, mountaineering, trail running, and all other activities related to these beautiful rocky landscapes. Nevertheless, the effort is a personal challenge synonymous with personal satisfaction. On the other hand, comfort rewards this effort, this surpassing of oneself. Thus, what could be better after a beautiful summer hike than taking a dip in the most beautiful lakes of the Alps? Lake Bourget, Lake Annecy, Lake Geneva, Lake Maggiore… glittering names that have all made us dream at some point.

For the past five years, I’ve had the chance to live near this paradise. After three years in Grenoble, I now find myself in Lyon, a city that still allows me to spend a great number of weekends in the mountains. Indeed, perpetually craving adventures, one of my passions is to discover new places amidst these natural treasures. Between summits, ridges, sunset spots, and relaxation spots, I’ve had this incredible opportunity over the past few years to spend much of my free time amidst the most beautiful peaks in Europe.

If you’ve stumbled upon this article, then you’re now my friend. So, welcome to my inner circle. What you’re about to discover below are my findings, my secrets, places that I only reveal to my friends. Now, I’m not saying that these places are the best; I would never have the arrogance to claim that I know these lakes perfectly. However, the stop, the swim, the moment of life is worth it, from what I personally consider to be the most beautiful bathing spots in the Alpine lakes:

The largest lake in the French Alps (and no, it’s not Annecy), Lake Bourget is easily accessible from the major urban areas of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (1 hour’s drive from Grenoble or Lyon). This lake, often underrated, is a haven of peace once you know where to go. For me, Port de Châtillon has become my swimming pool over time. As soon as the temperatures rise, I don’t hesitate to get behind the wheel to spend some quality time in the heart of the Alps.

At the end of Port de Châtillon, you’ll find a small pebble beach where it’s quite rare to find a spot for your towel. However, despite a sign stating “No Swimming” on the pontoon, nobody hesitates to lay out their towel and take a dip from the large rocks of this pontoon. Guaranteed pleasure, a swim you’ll remember for the rest of your life facing the Bauges Massif and the snow-capped peaks of Belledonne.

• Access: car or train (Chindrieux Railway Station)
• Parking: 3€ in cash for the summer parking, free off season.
• Swimming spot: Pebble beach at the end of the port, or the pontoon/dam (where I always go).

Without going through the entire introduction about Lake Bourget again, another charming and peaceful place I’ve had the chance to discover at Lake Bourget is Port de Bourdeau.

I have several comments to make about this place. Firstly, I advise you to come between morning and mid-afternoon before the sun goes behind the mountains and you find yourself… in the shade. Secondly, this place is a port, where, as you can see in the photo, there’s no problem laying your towel on the pontoon/dam. However, there aren’t many spots available…

• Access : Accessible by car or bike from Le Bourget du Lac. Once you’ve parked your car, it takes about ten minutes on foot to reach the shores of the port.
• Parking : Free parking last time I checked, but not many parking spots available.
• Swimming Spot : The dam/pontoon or the quays of the port (but less cozy and comfortable).

This place is arguably the most beautiful, romantic, and chic spot on Lake Annecy. What would a visit to Annecy be without the opportunity to admire the Palace de Menthon-Saint-Bernard?

This establishment is a private property, so it’s strictly forbidden to access it without a valid reason (staying overnight, dining, having a drink, etc.). However, we do have the right to spread our towels along the shores of Lake Annecy, right next to this architectural gem. Feel free to settle on the lakeside lawn or on the wooden pontoons. If you have a paddleboard, you can also take the opportunity to paddle to Talloires-Montmin to discover the only parts of the lake inaccessible by car.

• Access car, bus from Annecy or by bike.
• Parking: Place des Choseaux ou Route des Bains (free from my memories)
• Swimming Spot: The grassy areas along the lakeshore or the wooden pontoons if you’re lucky..

Discovered quite recently, I’ve never had the opportunity to come and swim at the end of Chemin de Quoex. Nevertheless, given the scale of this place and the small esplanade in front of me, I have no doubt for a second that this spot is popular during the summer (for those fortunate enough to know this place).

As is often the case on the eastern shore of Lake Annecy, the view here is very pleasant. We’re not bothered by cars, and the chic and elegant side of Lake Annecy is strongly felt, especially in the commune of Talloires-Montmin, which is one of the wealthiest villages on the lake.

For this spot, please note that the surface is a mix of dirt and gravel. It’s not ideal, so don’t bring your best towel for sunbathing here.

• Access : car, bus from Annecy or by bike.
• Parking: there’s a parking just before the roundabout right before entering Talloires.
• Swimming Spot : at the end of Chemin de Quoex.

The majestic Lake Léman/Geneva undoubtedly harbors an immeasurable number of hidden gems. This lake, which could be likened to a sea due to its immensity, is a myth, a legend. Swimming in Lake Léman/Geneva is a chance that must be savored, appreciated, as if it were the last time such an opportunity arises. This lake is sublime, and the place I’m proposing through this article lives up to Monsieur Léman.

On your GPS, simply enter ‘Plage de la Grotte à Corseaux’ (which you should have no trouble finding). Well, now that you know about the existence and name of this beach, everything becomes easier (which wasn’t necessarily the case for me at the time). This beach, which remains quite secluded from the ‘hustle and bustle’ of cities like Geneva or Lausanne, will impress you with its calmness, beauty, and water activities. Platform for lounging in the middle of the water, diving board, pebble beach, rocks… In short, like all the previous places, this one is a paradise, except this one is on Lake Léman/Geneva.

• Access : accessible by car or bike from Lausanne or Vevey. A train station is also very close to the beach.
• Parking : parking available at Chemin de la Paix.
• Swimming spot: the one that suits for you.

Close to the well-known villages of Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald lies Interlaken. Interlaken is a medium-sized Swiss town located between two magnificent lakes. Lake Thun (Thunersee) to the west and Lake Brienz to the east (Brienzersee). Switzerland, a country with countless lakes, is fortunate to have in abundance what France possesses on the fingers of one hand: large and incredibly beautiful Alpine lakes.

I recently had the chance to stop at Lake Brienz after a weekend road trip in Switzerland. I was especially fortunate to be able to swim in this magnificent lake, surrounded by peaks over 2000 meters high from the town of Oberried. From this town, a walk along the lake to the west offers numerous spots to lay out your towel. A platform in the middle of the water is also available for you to dive facing the Swiss mountains.

• Access : car or train.
• Parking : park to Parkplatz Oberried.
• Swimming Spot : From to the parking I mentioned above, head down to the lakeshore and walk about fifty meters to the west. There you’ll find the platform and various spots to lay out your towel.

I can’t claim that this swimming spot is ‘saving the best for last,’ as all the spots mentioned above are unique in their own way. However, I had never before found such a swing on a lake as iconic as Lake Maggiore. In brief summary, Lake Maggiore, like Lake Geneva, is a lake shared by two countries. Therefore, we could call it Lake Maggiore for the Swiss part and Lago Maggiore for the Italian part. The place I’m presenting to you today is located on the Swiss side.

On the Swiss side of this lake, very few places are accessible to the public for swimming. Despite your efforts, you’ll consider yourself very lucky to find a spot to lay your towel without trespassing on private property. However, with two of my friends, we were fortunate enough to stumble upon one of the most beautiful spots on the Swiss side of the lake after some difficult searches. To find this place, I suggest entering ‘La Casetta – Via Cantonale’ in Ronco Sopra Ascona into your GPS. Once you’ve managed to park and get as close as possible to this location, I recommend walking along Via Cantonale, where you’ll find a somewhat discreet sign mentioning something similar to ‘Public Beach’.

Once you’ve found this beach/cove, I’ll let the magic work on you—enjoy the sun, the swing, and take some jumps into the sublime waters of Lake Maggiore.

• Access : car or bicycle from Ascona or Locarno.
• Parking : park at Ronco Sopra Ascona or along Via Cantonale.
• Swimming Spot : walk along Via Cantonale until you spot a discreet sign mentioning in Italian or French (I can’t remember) ‘Public Beach’.