Swimming in Combloux: the natural swimming lake and the lakes nearby
The Combloux lac biotope. Opened in 2002, it is France's first natural swimming pool: 1,900 m² of water, 2,900 m³, from 0.40 m to 2.45 m deep, with water at 18-26 °C depending on the weather and no chemical treatment at all — more than 10,000 plants in a regeneration zone do the filtering. Since 2023 there have been four 50 m swimming lanes and a paddling pool for children. Granite sun deck, grass beach, sandpit, playground, 80 parasols for hire, lifeguarded swimming and aqua-aerobics classes. The Alexperience restaurant and snack bar is on site, and every Tuesday evening of the summer holidays there is a concert and barbecue by the water.
Updated on 29 September 2026.
Open from mid-June to early September. Capacity is limited to 950 people a day: tickets online until 10:30 a.m. on the day during the French school holidays, at the Office de tourisme (tourist office) from 9 to 10:30 a.m., or at the entrance from 10:30 a.m..
| 2026 prices | |
|---|---|
| Adult | €5.50 (€4.50 after 4 p.m.) |
| Child up to 14 | €3.50 |
| Under 5 | free |
| Family card, 12 entries | €60 |
| Season pass, adult / child | €65 / €55 |
Route de Prairy, 6 minutes' walk from the tourist office; 11 minutes by car from the building (5.7 km; on foot, 52 minutes, downhill on the way there).
Lac de Passy — Base de loisirs des Îles
(20 minutes, 11.5 km). More than a kilometre of beach, lifeguarded swimming in July and August, free entry, parking €3 for the day. Paddleboarding, pedalos, windsurfing, electric boats, mini-golf, orienteering course, karting, treetop adventure course, inflatables, fishing, and food in summer.
Lac des Ilettes, Sallanches
(28 minutes, 14.6 km). Three lakes; the central lake is lifeguarded in July and August from 12 noon to 6 p.m. Electric barbecues, walking paths, windsurfing on the north lake, free parking (summer 2026).
Lac Vert, Passy
(49 minutes, 27 km via the Plateau d'Assy). A green-watered mountain lake in the forest on the Plateau d'Assy, with an easy one-hour loop and 100 m of climbing. No swimming; it is a walk and a viewpoint. Paid parking in season.
Lac de Javen, Megève
(13 minutes to Megève, then the Chemin de la Rée). A small lake above Megève, a family walk and a mountain restaurant.
Lake Annecy
(1 hr 15 by motorway). Beaches at Saint-Jorioz, Talloires and Menthon; the "Venice of the Alps" for the day. See → Day trips.
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim in Combloux?
Yes, at the lac biotope, a plant-filtered, lifeguarded pool with swimming lanes and a paddling pool, from mid-June to early September.
Is the lac biotope heated?
No: the water is 18-26 °C depending on the sunshine. It is warmer at the end of the day.
Do I need to book?
During the French school holidays, yes: online before 10:30 a.m., as capacity is limited to 950 people a day.
Is the lac biotope free?
No: €5.50 per adult, €3.50 per child, free for under-5s. The 12-entry family card works out at €5 per entry.
Which lake is free?
The lake at Passy (parking €3, 20 minutes) and Les Ilettes at Sallanches (free parking, 28 minutes), both lifeguarded in July and August.
Sleep fifty metres from the snow
Le lodge de l'alpage
70 m², 6 guests · from €200/night
Les cimes de l'alpage
130 m², 10 guests · from €400/night
Adults / Children (including under 2)