The Bourget Lake draws the attention of bathers to a handful of developed beaches on the east side. The opposite shore, which runs alongside Mont du Chat, remains away from tourist flows. Its coves, often accessible only by trail or by boat, are not marked on any directional signs. This discretion is no accident: it is due as much to geography as to the regulatory constraints that have tightened in recent years.
Access to the coves on the west shore: closed trails and alternatives by the lake
Before planning a trip to the wild coves, one must consider a recent fact. Since 2024, part of the forested areas around Bourget Lake has been subject to temporary closures for safety reasons. Some trails on the west shore, particularly those crossing the communal forests of Mont du Chat, have been closed for extended periods.
Read also : Tips and Advice for a Fulfilling Family Life Every Day
A trail known along the shores of the lake reopened to walkers in the summer of 2026, according to L’Essor savoyard. However, other sections remain closed or subject to occasional municipal orders. Hikers planning to reach a wild cove around Bourget Lake via forest paths must check the access conditions before each outing.
The most reliable alternative remains the approach by the lake itself. Nautical service providers based in Aix-les-Bains offer electric boat rentals or guided trips to the coves along the wild coast. This option bypasses the trail issues, but it requires a budget and cooperative weather.
Read also : Tips and Ideas for a Fulfilling Family Life Every Day
Regulations for summer 2026 on the beaches and coves of Bourget Lake
Summer 2026 marks a turning point in the regulation of activities along the lake. A new regulation enforced by the Grand Lac agglomeration community has been in effect since early July across all beaches, including the informal swimming areas of the coves.
The main measures include:
- Prohibition of smoking on the beaches, a provision that also applies to the shores of the coves classified as swimming areas.
- Mandatory distance for dogs from swimming areas, complicating outings with pets in coves where the shoreline is narrow.
- Enhanced regulation of noise disturbances, alcohol consumption, and waste disposal.
Le Dauphiné Libéré questioned the effective enforcement of these rules in early August 2026. On monitored beaches, control is visible. On the isolated coves of the west shore, field reports vary on the actual level of enforcement. The isolation that gives these sites their charm also complicates the presence of enforcement agents.
Water pressure and water quality: what drought changes for the coves
The heatwave of summer 2026 prompted the Savoie prefecture to tighten water usage restrictions in the Bourget Lake area, Albanais, and Chéran. The prohibitions cover direct withdrawals from rivers and aquifers, filling private water bodies and swimming pools, as well as extensive watering time restrictions.
For the coves, the stakes are indirect but real. When one-third of the rivers are dry in the watershed of the lake (data reported by Le Dauphiné Libéré in August 2026), the flow of small tributaries that feed the coves decreases. The micro-pebble beaches lose their supply of fresh water, and the temperature of stagnant water in shallow areas can promote the growth of cyanobacteria.
Alerts for cyanobacteria have been issued on other lakes in the region, leading to swimming bans. On Bourget Lake itself, water quality is generally monitored, but the isolated coves do not benefit from the regular analyses reserved for official beaches. No systematic sampling is conducted in the unregulated coves.
Wild coast of Mont du Chat: what the terrain imposes on bathers
The wild coast, located in the municipality of La Chapelle-du-Mont-du-Chat, is the most preserved section of the lakeshore. No drivable road, no nearby parking, no lifeguard station. The coves succeed each other between rocky outcrops, with a bottom that quickly drops from limestone slabs to depths where one can lose footing.
This terrain imposes precautions that developed beaches render unnecessary:
- Aquatic shoes are almost essential: the pebbles and submerged rocks are slippery and sometimes sharp.
- Mobile network coverage is weak or non-existent in certain segments of the west shore, complicating any emergency calls.
- The return via the trail, often uphill, requires decent physical condition, especially in high heat.
However, it is precisely this difficulty of access that filters the visitor numbers. The coves of the wild coast rarely host more than a handful of people at a time, even in the height of summer. The view of the Dent du Chat and the Bauges massif is unobstructed, without the visual competition of beach infrastructures.
Bourget Lake: should one prefer the boat to discover the coves?
Land access to the coves on the west shore remains conditioned by forest orders and the state of the trails. Nautical access offers a freedom of movement that the network of paths no longer guarantees consistently. The boat allows passage from one cove to another without depending on closed trails.
This approach has its limits. The cost of a rental, even for a few hours, exceeds the budget of a simple beach outing. Nautical regulations on the lake impose distance rules from swimming areas and speed limitations in coastal zones. And with a south wind, the lake can quickly become choppy, making the return uncomfortable for small boats.
The coves of Bourget Lake do not easily reveal themselves. The combination of trail closures, tightening regulations, and climate pressure reshapes access conditions every summer. Consulting the prefectural and municipal orders before departing remains the most useful precaution, well before choosing a swimsuit.