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.
Lac du Bourdon was created as a reservoir for the Canal de Briare in the soft rolling countryside of Puisaye, a landscape of hedgerows and forest distinctive to the northern Yonne. The lake covers 220 hectares and its northern shore has been developed into one of the most activity-rich inland beach destinations in Burgundy, combining a long sandy beach with a comprehensive multi-activity base.
The main supervised beach sits on the north shore facing the Camping de la Calanque. The swimming zone is supervised from July 1 to August 31: weekdays 11am–6pm, weekends 11am–7pm. Two free car parks serve the lake: the north parking area directly by the Calanque beach, and the south parking area adjacent to the Auberge du Lac restaurant. A separate free camping-car area runs along road D185.
The Base de Loisirs du Lac du Bourdon offers the broadest multi-activity programme of any Burgundy lake site: canoeing, kayaking, kayak polo, dinghy sailing, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, pedal boats, mountain biking, archery, orienteering, and beach volleyball are all available from the same waterfront complex. Horseback riding is also available through a nearby equestrian centre. Fishing is permitted in designated areas of the lake.
For dining, the Auberge du Lac restaurant on the south shore provides meals overlooking the water. Picnic facilities are available throughout the lake perimeter. Saint-Fargeau town, 3 km away, adds a significant cultural dimension: its Renaissance château hosts the celebrated Spectacle Historique (a staged sound-and-light show with hundreds of costumed performers recreating French history) on summer evenings, making Lac du Bourdon and Saint-Fargeau an effective combination destination.
The lake's bocage setting — more intimate and wooded than the dramatic canyon lakes of the Jura — has a relaxed, under-visited character that suits visitors looking for a quiet Burgundy summer without crowds.
Amenities
- 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
- beach volleyball
- archery
- orienteering
- mountain bike hire
- horseback riding (nearby equestrian centre)
- fishing (designated areas)
- Auberge du Lac restaurant (south shore)
- picnic areas
- two free car parks + camping-car area
Good to know
- Best for
- families, water sports, motorhome travellers, cultural visitors
- Water
- Freshwater reservoir in Puisaye bocage landscape; calm sheltered water; sandy bottom; water temperature 20–24°C in peak season; good water quality; no significant current; peaceful and sheltered compared to the larger Jura reservoir lakes
- Facilities
- lifeguards (July 1–August 31), multi-activity hire centre, free parking (north and south), camping-car parking (D185), Auberge du Lac restaurant, picnic areas, Camping de la Calanque adjacent to north beach
Location
D485, 89170 Saint-Fargeau (Base de Loisirs du Lac du Bourdon)
47.6113, 3.2068 View on map
Highlights
- Most activity-diverse lake beach in Burgundy: canoeing, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, SUP, archery, orienteering, mountain biking, and horse riding all on one site
- Long sandy supervised beach with free parking — one of the few large lake beaches in northern Burgundy with a proper sandy foreshore
- Relaxed and uncrowded atmosphere — the Puisaye-Forterre region receives far fewer tourists than the Jura lake district
- Saint-Fargeau château (3 km) hosts a spectacular summer sound-and-light history show — combine a beach day with an evening performance
- Free camping-car parking area on D185 makes this accessible for visitors touring Burgundy by motorhome
Tips for visiting
- 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
- The activity hire centre benefits from advance contact via the Office de Tourisme de Puisaye-Forterre (+33 3 86 74 10 07) to confirm availability of specific equipment on your visit date
- The south car park near the Auberge du Lac is shaded and quieter than the north car park; ideal for picnic arrivals
- Weekend swimming hours extend to 7pm vs 6pm weekdays — plan a late afternoon swim on Saturdays and Sundays
- The lake's bocage setting attracts significant birdlife; early morning walkers around the perimeter frequently see kingfishers and herons
When to visit
July 1 to August 31 for supervised swimming and full activity programme. Weekend afternoons draw local families and have a lively atmosphere. June and September offer near-empty beaches with calm warm water for independent swimmers.
Accessibility
Free parking areas are flat and close to the beach access points. The north beach path from the car park to the sand is flat and short. The Auberge du Lac restaurant on the south shore is accessible from the south car park. For detailed accessibility provisions at the activity centre, contact the Office de Tourisme de Puisaye-Forterre at +33 3 86 74 10 07.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
Is swimming at Lac du Bourdon supervised?
Yes — the main north beach is supervised from July 1 to August 31, weekdays 11am–6pm and weekends 11am–7pm. Outside these times swimming is possible at the visitor's own risk.
Is parking free at Lac du Bourdon?
Yes — both the north car park (facing the Camping de la Calanque) and the south car park (near the Auberge du Lac restaurant) are free. A dedicated free camping-car area is also available along D185.
What activities are available beyond swimming?
The Base de Loisirs offers canoeing, kayaking, kayak polo, dinghy sailing, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, pedal boats, mountain biking, archery, orienteering, beach volleyball, and fishing. Horseback riding is available through a nearby equestrian centre. Contact the activity base or the Puisaye-Forterre tourist office (+33 3 86 74 10 07) for current hire prices.
What is near the lake for a full-day outing?
Saint-Fargeau town (3 km) has a well-preserved Renaissance château open for tours and hosts the Spectacle Historique on summer evenings. Guédelon castle (15 km) is a medieval construction project open to visitors. The wider Puisaye region has numerous pottery studios and artisan workshops.