Lac de Pierre-Percée

Lac de Pierre-Percée is a large reservoir in the Vosges foothills of Meurthe-et-Moselle in the Lorraine part of Grand Est, France, created in the 1970s by damming the Vezouze river valley and submerging the former medieval village of Pierre-Percée. The lake covers approximately 320 hectares, making it the largest man-made lake in Lorraine, and sits at around 430 metres altitude among deciduous oak and beech forest. The water is clear and takes on a blue-green colour in sunlight; visibility in the shallows of the supervised beach area is several metres. The shoreline is varied: forested slopes descend to rocky and grassy banks along most of the perimeter, but the Base Nautique at the southern end has been developed with a sandy and grassy beach zone. A supervised swimming area is active July through August and the gentle lakebed shelf allows safe bathing for children. Water temperature in peak summer reaches 22–24°C. Pierre-Percée is best known as one of France's premier inland windsurfing destinations. The lake's elongated form — approximately 10 kilometres in length — creates a significant wind fetch, and the surrounding hills channel westerly winds, producing consistent and sometimes strong conditions that attract competitors from across France and neighbouring countries. The Base Nautique operates a full hire and course programme covering windsurfing, sailing, kayak and SUP from May through September. Camping is available on-site and a restaurant serves the base during the season. The submerged medieval village adds an unusual dimension to the site: at very low water levels, remnants of old walls have historically emerged. The ruined Château de Pierre-Percée, on a rocky outcrop above the lake, is accessible via a 1.5 km walk from the base and provides elevated views across the reservoir and Vosges foothills. Access is by car only; there is no public transport. The drive from Nancy via Lunéville and Baccarat covers approximately 65 km and takes around one hour.