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.
Lac des Settons was created in 1858 as a reservoir to regulate the flow of the Cure river for log-floating operations — today it covers around 360 hectares of clear water surrounded by pine and deciduous forest typical of the Morvan Massif. The lake has been awarded the Blue Flag, confirming both its water quality and its visitor service standards.
The main supervised beach sits on the northern peninsula beside the Activital outdoor leisure centre. Lifeguards are posted from July 12 to August 18 daily, except Mondays, from 1:15pm to 5:45pm. Outside these hours the lake can still be swum freely at the visitor's own risk. The beach itself is a grassy and sandy shoreline with easy access to calm, clear water.
The Activital centre is the operational heart of watersports on the lake: dinghy sailing, windsurfing, catamaran sailing, canoeing, kayaking, rowing, stand-up paddleboarding, and water skiing are all available from the hire station. A miniature harbour with model electric boats provides entertainment for young children. Motor boats can also be hired for independent exploration of the lake; mooring up at one of the wooded islands and swimming from the boat is a popular excursion.
The lake peninsula has a small informal harbour with a restaurant and several picnic areas under the pines. Camping de la Plage des Settons provides lakeside pitches and chalets for visitors who want to stay multiple days. The surrounding Morvan landscape offers marked hiking trails, mountain biking routes, and the Grandes Randonnées GR13 and GR131 which pass nearby.
The town of Montsauche-les-Settons, 3 km from the lake, has a bakery, grocery stores, and restaurants. The Morvan Natural Park visitor centres at Saint-Brisson (30 km) and Autun (55 km) provide orientation for exploring the wider region.
Amenities
- 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
- water skiing
- motor boat hire
- children's electric model boat harbour
- picnic areas under pines
- lakeside restaurant
- camping (Camping de la Plage des Settons)
- free parking
Good to know
- Best for
- water sports, families, outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers
- Water
- Reservoir lake in the Morvan Massif; clear freshwater; Blue Flag water quality; calm to light-chop conditions depending on wind; variable depth; water temperature 18–22°C in peak season; wooded island anchorages accessible by motor boat
- Facilities
- lifeguards (July 12–August 18, exc. Monday), Activital outdoor activity centre, free car park, picnic areas, lakeside restaurant, campsite with chalets and pitches
Location
Base de Loisirs Activital, Les Settons, 58230 Montsauche-les-Settons
47.1317, 4.0072 View on map
Highlights
- Blue Flag certified beach — one of the few inland Blue Flag sites in Burgundy
- Full watersports programme at Activital: sailing, windsurfing, catamaran, canoeing, kayaking, SUP, water skiing
- Motor boat hire available — visitors can moor at forested islands and swim in complete seclusion
- Children's model electric boat harbour for the youngest visitors
- Surrounded by Morvan Natural Park forest with marked hiking and mountain biking trails starting from the lakeside
Tips for visiting
- Supervised swimming hours (1:15pm–5:45pm) are shorter than most Jura lake beaches — plan accordingly if arriving late morning
- Motor boat hire fills up on sunny weekends; book through the Activital centre (tel. +33 3 86 84 55 90) at least a day in advance in peak season
- The lake's wooded northern shoreline has several quieter unofficial swim spots accessible on foot — explore beyond the main beach for solitude
- Activital runs structured activity sessions for families with children from age 6; check current programmes at morvansommetsetgrandslacs.com
- The surrounding Morvan trails are best explored early morning before the afternoon lake visits; the GR13 passes within 5 km of the lake
When to visit
July 12 to August 18 for full supervised swimming and complete watersports programme. Early August combines maximum facilities with warm water. June and September offer quieter conditions for independent swimmers and hikers.
Accessibility
The main beach area has a relatively flat grassy approach from the free car park. The Activital centre path is suitable for most visitors. The beach terrain is natural grass and sand without fully paved paths throughout; full wheelchair access to the water's edge may be limited — contact Activital (+33 3 86 84 55 90) to confirm current provisions.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
Is there accommodation directly at the lake?
Yes — Camping de la Plage des Settons is directly on the lakeside, offering both traditional camping pitches and equipped chalets and mobile homes. Several gîtes and B&Bs are available in Montsauche-les-Settons village, 3 km away.
How do visitors reach Lac des Settons without a car?
The lake is not practically accessible by public transport. The nearest train stations are Autun and Nevers, each approximately 55 km away. Hiring a car from either city is the recommended approach for car-free travellers.