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.
Lac Kir was created in the 1960s as an artificial reservoir just west of Dijon's city centre, covering 37 hectares with a maximum depth of 3.5 metres. Each summer from July 1 to August 31, the southern shore is transformed into Dijon Plage: truckloads of sand are deposited to create a proper beach, colourful beach huts and sunloungers appear, and lifeguards are posted throughout the day.
Swimming is supervised daily from 11am to 8pm except Mondays, when supervised hours begin at noon. Water quality is tested regularly by the municipality and posted on the Dijon Plage website. The sandy swimming zone is shallow and calm, suitable for all ages. Lounge chairs and parasols can be rented for €1 from the beach concession. Cold outdoor showers and changing facilities are available free of charge along the beach.
The sports offering at Dijon Plage is unusually generous for a free urban beach: beach volleyball courts, 3x3 basketball courts, and a dedicated children's play zone are all set up seasonally. The Base Nautique Dijon Sports Discovery operates from the western end of the lake throughout summer, offering stand-up paddleboarding, rowing, canoeing-kayaking, sailing, and a junior multisport watersports programme for children. Rental prices vary by activity; SUP hire typically costs €10–15 (approximately $11–16 USD) per hour.
From Dijon's historic centre, the lake is an easy 15-minute walk following the path through the Jardin de l'Arquebuse, or a short ride on city bus line 12 to the 'Lac Kir' stop. There is also cycling access along the Green Lane path from the city. Several food kiosks and a permanent bar operate along the beach promenade throughout the summer season.
In the off-season, Lac Kir remains a popular leisure area for Dijonnais — joggers, dog walkers, and picnickers use the green space year-round. The lake and its surroundings are free to access at all times.
Amenities
- 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)
- food kiosks and beach bar
- SUP, rowing, kayak, sailing rental from Base Nautique (approx €10–15/hr / $11–16 USD)
- children's play zone
Good to know
- Best for
- city visitors, families, sports, budget travellers
- Water
- Calm artificial freshwater lake; 37 hectares; max depth 3.5 m; water quality tested and published weekly by Dijon Métropole; shallow sandy swimming zone; no current; surface temperature typically 22–26°C in peak season
- Facilities
- lifeguards (July 1–August 31), free outdoor showers, free changing rooms, public toilets, food and drink kiosks, bike parking, accessible path around lake perimeter
Location
Avenue du 1er Consul, 21000 Dijon
47.3219, 5.0073 View on map
Highlights
- Free public beach with supervised swimming just 15 minutes' walk from Dijon's UNESCO-listed historic centre
- Full summer sports programme: beach volleyball, 3x3 basketball, SUP, kayak, and sailing all on one site
- Lounge chairs and parasols available for €1 (approx $1.10 USD) — the most affordable beach in the region
- City bus and cycling access means no car required — ideal for visitors based in Dijon without transport
- Water quality tested and published weekly by Dijon Métropole, with consistently good bathing ratings
Tips for visiting
- Bus line 12 (Direction Valmy) is the easiest approach by public transport; the 'Lac Kir' stop is right at the beach entrance
- Weekday mornings are quiet; Saturday afternoons in July and August draw large local crowds — arrive before 11am for a good spot
- The nautical base (Dijon Sports Discovery) requires booking for group activities in peak season — check the city's sports portal (dijon.fr) for current schedules
- Showers and changing rooms are free but can be busy around midday — use them before or after the lunch rush
- The Jardin de l'Arquebuse route from the city centre passes the natural history museum and botanical garden, making the walk itself worth the trip
When to visit
July 1 to August 31 for the full Dijon Plage experience with lifeguards and all facilities. Weekday mornings offer the most relaxed atmosphere. September visitors can still enjoy the lake for walking and cycling with significantly smaller crowds.
Accessibility
Flat paved promenade around the lake perimeter provides wheelchair-accessible walking access. The sandy beach area requires some effort for wheelchair users on soft sand; the hard-surface path alongside the beach is fully accessible. Public accessible toilets are available at the main beach facility.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
Can visitors walk to Lac Kir from central Dijon?
Yes — the lake is approximately 15 minutes' walk from central Dijon via the path through the Jardin de l'Arquebuse. City bus line 12 also stops directly at the beach.
Are there food and drink options at Dijon Plage?
Several food kiosks and a beach bar operate throughout the summer season. The beach is also close enough to central Dijon to return for lunch at the city's restaurants.