The best RIB lake and river trips in France
Previously, we told you about our top 10 of the best destinations for a RIB sea trip in France.
But of course, these aren't the only opportunities to sail in our country!
France's lakes and rivers, too, offer a plethora of wonderful landscapes in which to take a trip on a RIB boat.
So, if you're looking for freshwater boating spots, here's our selection of the 10 best lakes and rivers for scenic cruises in France.
1. Lake Annecy
Located in Haute-Savoie, Lake Annecy is considered one of France's most beautiful lakes. 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 through 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 landscaped beaches and coves. Water activities including waterskiing, wakeboarding and kitesurfing are of course part of the fun!
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 kilometers 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 boasts a substantial nautical offering, and you can enjoy: sailing, rowing, canoeing, rafting, fishing, diving, waterskiing, wake-boarding... from no less than 14 ports such as the unmissable town of Aix-les-Bains. Take advantage of the opportunity to stop off in Chambéry!
6. The Verdon and Lac de 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, it 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 local fishermen, and you can also enjoy 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 thus offers a playground beyond compare for RIB outings. Unique in more ways than one, navigation on Lake Geneva stands out from our country's other bodies of water and rivers, as we discussed in our article on boating licenses. Panoramic views of the mountains and their vineyard slopes, and access to picturesque towns such as Thonon-les-Bains and Evian-les-Bains.
10. L'Odet
Let's end this top with a surprise, since for this last stop, it's to Brittany that we're heading! 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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