Lac des Sapins (Cublize)

Lac des Sapins is a lake leisure base at Cublize in the Beaujolais hills of the Rhone department, in France's Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region, about 70 km north-west of Lyon. Surrounded by pine-covered slopes, the lake offers a supervised swimming beach, picnic lawns and water sports, and it is a long-standing summer destination for Lyon families who want cooler, greener surroundings than the city. The beach is a freshwater lake shore with no tide or surf, and the water is generally calm, which suits children and relaxed swimming. Facilities at the base de loisirs include a supervised beach area, picnic areas, pedalo and kayak hire in season, a snack bar and a car park. The atmosphere is that of a traditional family outing: groups spread out on the grass, children play in the shallows and walkers follow the paths around the water. Hot weekends in July and August are the busiest, while weekdays and the shoulder weeks of June and early September are noticeably quieter. By car, the journey from Lyon takes about 1 hour 10 minutes via the A89. A summer shuttle called Echappees Nature has run from Lyon, with dates listed through grand-parc.fr or tcl.fr, so visitors without a car should check the current timetable before planning the trip. The swimming season runs from June to early September, and lifeguard supervision applies only within the posted hours. Visitors should bring a picnic, sun protection and a towel, and can check the official website lacdessapins.fr for entry arrangements, hours and any closures. Because it lies in hilly countryside, the area can be cooler in the evening, and a light layer is useful even after a hot day. The setting also makes the lake a base for short walks in the surrounding Beaujolais Vert landscape.