Bourgogne-Franche-Comté is France's great dual-heritage region — the grand cru vineyards and Romanesque abbeys of Burgundy in the west, and the forested Jura mountains, Comté dairies, and UNESCO-listed Vauban citadel of Franche-Comté in the east. From the medieval ramparts of Beaune and the ducal palace of Dijon to the cascading waterfalls and ski resorts of the Jura plateau, the region delivers extraordinary depth for travellers willing to look beyond the Eiffel Tower.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.
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- Unspoiled mountain lake — turquoise water framed by Jura limestone cliffs
- supervised swimming south beach (July–August, 11am–6pm)
- pedalo rental
- stand-up paddleboard rental
- snack bar and fast-food kiosk
- picnic tables with shade
- free toilets
Plage du Domaine de Chalain
Lac de Chalain is the Jura's most celebrated natural lake, renowned for its startling turquoise water set against forested limestone plateaux. Two supervised beaches — the south beach (lifeguarded) and the north beach (open but unsupervised) — offer swimming, pedalo hire, and paddleboard rental in a landscape that feels remote despite good road access. The lake's colour rivals the Maldives on a bright summer day.
Editor’s tip. Arrive before 10am to secure a shaded picnic spot — the south beach fills rapidly on sunny July weekends
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- Lively urban summer beach — Dijon's seaside substitute with sports, sand, and city convenience
- supervised swimming (July 1–August 31, Mon 12pm–8pm, Tue–Sun 11am–8pm)
- lounge chair and parasol rental (€1 / approx $1.10 USD)
- beach volleyball courts (free)
- 3x3 basketball courts (free)
- cold outdoor showers (free)
- changing facilities (free)
Dijon Plage — Lac Kir
Lac Kir is an artificial lake on the western edge of Dijon named after the city's famous aperitif-inventing mayor. Each summer it transforms into 'Dijon Plage' — a free urban beach with imported sand, blue-and-white beach huts, supervised swimming, volleyball courts, and water sports rentals. The lake is a 15-minute walk from the city centre, making it the most accessible beach in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.
Editor’s tip. Bus line 12 (Direction Valmy) is the easiest approach by public transport; the 'Lac Kir' stop is right at the beach entrance
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- Blue Flag family lake — warm shallow water, diving platforms, and a welcoming Jura village setting
- supervised swimming (July–August)
- Blue Flag certified beach
- Handiplage accessible beach chair
- three-level diving platform (3m, 5m, 7.5m)
- snack bar (ice cream, drinks, light meals)
- flush toilets
Plage du Grand Lac de Clairvaux-les-Lacs
The Grand Lac de Clairvaux is a natural Jura lake prized for its remarkably shallow, rapidly warming water — 25°C by midsummer — and its Blue Flag certification. The main beach offers a large sandy area, a three-level diving platform (3m, 5m, 7.5m), supervised swimming, and a snack bar. The sandy, gently sloping lake floor makes this one of the region's best choices for families with young children.
Editor’s tip. The car park accepts card only — bring a bank card; cash machines are not available at the beach entrance
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- Morvan forest lake — wild wooded shores, Blue Flag water, and a full watersports base
- supervised swimming (July 12–August 18, daily except Monday, 1:15pm–5:45pm)
- Blue Flag certified beach
- dinghy sailing and catamaran hire
- windsurfing and kayak/canoe hire
- stand-up paddleboard hire
- rowing boat hire
Plage du Lac des Settons
Lac des Settons is a reservoir in the heart of the Morvan Natural Park, its wooded peninsulas and Blue Flag beach making it Burgundy's finest inland swimming destination. The supervised beach adjoins the Activital outdoor activity centre offering sailing, windsurfing, catamaran, canoeing, kayaking, rowing, paddleboarding, and water skiing. Visitors can also hire motor boats and moor at one of the lake's wooded islands for a private swim.
Editor’s tip. Supervised swimming hours (1:15pm–5:45pm) are shorter than most Jura lake beaches — plan accordingly if arriving late morning
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- Dramatic canyon reservoir — emerald water, limestone cliffs, and France's largest Jura lake experience
- supervised swimming (July–August)
- sandy beach with shaded lawns
- pedalo rental
- stand-up paddleboard rental
- nautical base (sailing, motorboat outings)
- free parking (100 spaces)
Plage de Bellecin — Lac de Vouglans
Lac de Vouglans is a 35 km-long reservoir on the Ain river in the southern Jura, renowned for its striking emerald-green water and dramatic limestone canyon setting. The Plage de Bellecin is the main supervised beach, a sandy shoreline with shaded lawns, pedalo and kayak hire, and a 100-space free car park. The lake's vast size and varied shoreline make it one of eastern France's top summer destinations.
Editor’s tip. The Bellecin beach is the most family-oriented of the three lake beaches; Surchauffant is better for watersports and jet skis; Mercantine sits between the two in character
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- Mountain lake village — alpine panorama, cool clear water, sailing, and Comtois gastronomy
- supervised beaches at Les Grangettes and Oye-et-Pallet (July–August)
- Malbuisson beach: volleyball courts, ping-pong, bar
- Base Nautique de Malbuisson (sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, SUP)
- Base Nautique des Grangettes (watersports hire)
- Aqua2lacs wellness centre — indoor and outdoor pools, sauna (day pass approx €15–20 / $16–22 USD)
- village restaurants (Comtois cuisine)
Plage de Malbuisson — Lac Saint-Point
Lac Saint-Point — also known as Lac de Malbuisson — is the third-largest natural lake in France, sitting at 860 metres altitude in the high Doubs plateau with a mountain backdrop visible from every shore. The Malbuisson village beach offers volleyball, bar service, and a full nautical base for sailing, windsurfing, and stand-up paddleboarding. The region is also renowned for its gastronomic restaurants and the Aqua2lacs wellness centre overlooking the water.
Editor’s tip. The lake is at 860 m altitude — bring a layer for evenings even in midsummer as temperatures drop quickly after sunset
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- Relaxed Burgundy bocage lake — full activity base, sandy supervised beach, and a medieval château town nearby
- supervised swimming (July 1–August 31: weekdays 11am–6pm, weekends 11am–7pm)
- canoe and kayak hire
- stand-up paddleboard hire
- dinghy sailing and windsurfing
- pedal boat hire
- kayak polo
Plage du Lac du Bourdon — Saint-Fargeau
Lac du Bourdon is a 220-hectare reservoir in the Puisaye-Forterre bocage country of the Yonne, offering Burgundy's most complete inland beach experience: a long sandy shoreline, supervised swimming in season, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, paddleboarding, archery, beach volleyball, and horseback riding — all at a single lakeside site. The town of Saint-Fargeau, with its Renaissance château, is 3 km from the beach.
Editor’s tip. The Spectacle Historique at Saint-Fargeau château runs on select summer evenings; book tickets online at chateau-de-saint-fargeau.com well in advance as performances sell out quickly
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Bourgogne-Franche-Comté’s coast.
Is swimming at Lac de Chalain supervised?
The south beach is supervised by lifeguards daily from 11am to 6pm throughout July and August. The north beach is open for swimming but unsupervised throughout the season.
From the Plage du Domaine de Chalain editorial.
How much does it cost to enter the Domaine de Chalain?
Beach access itself is free. Car parking costs €8 per vehicle (card payment only, no cash). Pedalo and paddleboard rentals are charged separately by the on-site operators.
From the Plage du Domaine de Chalain editorial.
Is Dijon Plage free to enter?
Yes — the beach and all sports courts are free to access. Lounge chair and parasol rental costs €1 (approx $1.10 USD). Watersports rentals from the nautical base are charged separately, typically €10–15 per hour.
From the Dijon Plage — Lac Kir editorial.
When is swimming supervised at Lac Kir?
Lifeguards are on duty from July 1 to August 31. Hours are 11am–8pm Tuesday through Sunday, and 12pm–8pm on Mondays.
From the Dijon Plage — Lac Kir editorial.
Is the Plage du Grand Lac de Clairvaux suitable for young children?
Yes — the lake floor is sandy and shelves very gradually, creating shallow, calm conditions well-suited to young children. Lifeguards supervise the swimming zone throughout July and August.
From the Plage du Grand Lac de Clairvaux-les-Lacs editorial.
What is the Handiplage label at Clairvaux?
Handiplage is a French certification for beaches that provide specialised equipment enabling visitors with reduced mobility to access the water independently. The Plage du Grand Lac has a beach wheelchair available on-site for this purpose.
From the Plage du Grand Lac de Clairvaux-les-Lacs editorial.
Is the Lac des Settons beach supervised all day?
No — lifeguard supervision runs from 1:15pm to 5:45pm daily except Monday, from July 12 to August 18. Outside these hours visitors swim at their own risk. The water quality is Blue Flag certified year-round.
From the Plage du Lac des Settons editorial.
Can beginners use the Activital watersports centre?
Yes — Activital caters to all levels from beginners upwards. Structured introductory sessions for sailing, windsurfing, and paddleboarding are available for adults and children. Equipment is provided as part of the session or rental fee.
From the Plage du Lac des Settons editorial.