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.
Lac Saint-Point stretches 7 km along the high Doubs plateau near the Swiss border at an altitude of 860 metres, covering 398 hectares. It is France's third-largest natural lake, a status that gives it a sea-like presence unusual for an inland mountain lake. The view across the water toward the Jura ridgelines and — on clear days — the distant Swiss Alps is one of the most arresting in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.
The village of Malbuisson sits at the northern end of the lake, its waterfront combining a small beach, a bar, sports facilities, and direct access to the Base Nautique de Malbuisson. The beach itself offers beach volleyball courts, a ping-pong table, and bar service — making it a sociable spot for all ages. The nautical base provides sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding lessons and hire for all levels, with a separate centre at Les Grangettes on the southern shore.
Five beaches are distributed around the lake's perimeter: Malbuisson and Saint-Point-Lac on the north shore, Oye-et-Pallet and Les Grangettes on the east, and Chaon on the south. The two formally supervised beaches (with lifeguards) are Les Grangettes and Oye-et-Pallet, operational in July and August. Malbuisson beach is accessible without supervision outside these hours.
The altitude and northerly latitude mean the lake warms more slowly than Jura lowland lakes: water temperature typically reaches 18–21°C by late July, refreshing rather than bath-warm. This is counterbalanced by the mountain panorama, which makes waterside time genuinely spectacular even when temperatures are lower.
Two attractions complement the beach. The Aqua2lacs complex at Malbuisson is a modern wellness and swimming facility with indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, and panoramic views over the lake — particularly useful for cooler days or visitors who want heated pool swimming alongside lake access. The Haut-Doubs plateau around the lake is also France's premier destination for Comtois gastronomy: Comté cheese, Morbier, smoked Morteau sausage, and trout from local rivers feature on menus at the lakeside restaurants in Malbuisson and nearby Pontarlier.
Amenities
- 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)
- village parking
Good to know
- Best for
- couples, gastronomic visitors, watersports, nature lovers
- Water
- Natural freshwater lake at 860 m altitude; France's third-largest natural lake (398 ha); water temperature 18–21°C in July–August; clear mountain water; calm on windless days, light chop in afternoon winds; mountain backdrop visible from all shore points
- Facilities
- lifeguards at Les Grangettes and Oye-et-Pallet (July–August), nautical bases at Malbuisson and Les Grangettes, Aqua2lacs pool and wellness complex, village bar and restaurants at beach, parking in Malbuisson village
Location
Route du Lac, 25160 Malbuisson
46.8091, 6.3192 View on map
Highlights
- France's third-largest natural lake — a 7 km mountain lake with sea-like scale and alpine panorama to Switzerland
- Base Nautique de Malbuisson: sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, and SUP hire and lessons for all levels
- Aqua2lacs wellness complex with heated indoor and outdoor pools and lake-view sauna — perfect for cooler days
- Five beaches distributed around the 15 km shoreline — discover quiet shores away from the main village beach
- Gateway to Comtois gastronomy: Comté, Morbier, Morteau sausage, and fresh lake trout at lakeside restaurants
Tips for visiting
- The lake is at 860 m altitude — bring a layer for evenings even in midsummer as temperatures drop quickly after sunset
- Water is 3–5°C cooler than Jura lowland lakes; full-body wet suits are not needed but sensitive swimmers may appreciate a rash guard
- The Aqua2lacs complex is ideal for rainy days or when the lake water feels too cool — check opening hours and pool day-pass prices at aqua2lacs.fr before visiting
- The D437 Route des Lacs between Pontarlier and Saint-Laurent is scenic but slow in peak season — budget extra driving time on July and August weekends
- Pontarlier (30 km) has supermarkets, a TGV-accessible train station, and a distillery producing the local absinthe — worth combining with a lake day trip
When to visit
Late July and August for the warmest water and full nautical programme. June offers uncrowded conditions and spring mountain scenery. September combines comfortable temperatures with dramatic early-autumn colours on the surrounding Jura slopes.
Accessibility
The Malbuisson beach waterfront is accessed from the village centre via a flat lakeside promenade. The paved path along the village waterfront is suitable for wheelchairs and prams. Aqua2lacs has full accessible facilities. Contact the Malbuisson tourist office (Office de Tourisme du Pays du Haut-Doubs, +33 3 81 69 31 21) for current accessibility provisions at the supervised beaches.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Lac Saint-Point supervised for swimming?
Two beaches — Les Grangettes and Oye-et-Pallet — have lifeguards during July and August. Malbuisson beach and the three other lake beaches are accessible for swimming without lifeguard supervision at all times.
How warm does Lac Saint-Point get in summer?
At 860 m altitude, the lake warms more slowly than lowland lakes. Water temperature typically reaches 18–21°C by late July and early August — refreshing and swimmable but cooler than the Jura lowland lakes like Chalain or Clairvaux.
What is the Aqua2lacs complex?
Aqua2lacs is a modern heated swimming and wellness complex at Malbuisson with indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, and panoramic views over Lac Saint-Point. It is useful on cooler or wet days when lake swimming is less appealing. Day pass prices are approximately €15–20 per adult (approx $16–22 USD); check aqua2lacs.fr for current tariffs.
Can visitors reach Lac Saint-Point by train?
Pontarlier, 30 km from Malbuisson, is the nearest train station (TER services from Besançon in under 1 hour). There is no regular bus service from Pontarlier to the lake, so a hire car or taxi is needed for the final leg.
Are there restaurants at the Malbuisson lakeside?
Yes — Malbuisson has a notable restaurant tradition with several lakeside establishments serving regional Comtois cuisine: Comté fondue, Morbier, Morteau sausage, and freshwater trout. Reservations are advisable at the more established restaurants during July and August.