Best lakes around Bilieu include the prominent Lac de Paladru, a natural glacial lake known for its striking turquoise color and significant size as the fifth-largest natural lake in France. This region is characterized by its green environment and wooded hills, offering a picturesque setting. Beyond Lac de Paladru, the area also features artificial lakes like Lac de Roybon, providing diverse aquatic experiences. The landscape around Bilieu supports a range of outdoor activities, from water sports to hiking and cycling.
…Last updated: May 17, 2026
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Lake Paladru is very popular in the summer, especially on weekends. Swimming is possible; there's a small, well-equipped beach.
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This is a classic bike ride around Grenoble, easy and suitable for the whole family.
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A tourist attraction in this area is Lake Paladru, which stretches from the village of the same name in the north to Charavines in the south. If you walk around the lake from a distance rather than on the paths directly along the shore, the hills offer some very beautiful views of the landscape. But not only that: on the outskirts of Bilieu – on the eastern shore of the lake – we pass a small sacred monument: a simple wayside cross made of two massive wooden beams (without a body or INRI inscription), which already shows the wear and tear of wind and weather.
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Beautiful public bathing area, turquoise water
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Located at an altitude of 500 m at the bottom of a depression of glacial origin with a substantially north-south axis, the Etang du Grand-Lemps nature reserve presents an exceptional flora and fauna heritage over 53 ha. Its slopes are shared between pastured meadows, crops and chestnut copses. The bottom of the depression corresponds to a marsh covered by peat bog vegetation and phragmites. The peat environments, and more particularly the sphagnum groups, constitute the originality of the site. Source: Natural Reserves Org
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Pretty beach where it is possible to swim and enjoy the turquoise water of the lake.
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Lovely blue water. Excellent cycle path
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Pasture by the water, there are happy cows.
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Lac de Paladru, often called the "Blue Lake," is excellent for swimming, with water temperatures reaching up to 25 degrees Celsius in summer. You can also enjoy a wide range of water sports such as sailing, rowing, pedal boating, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and canoeing. For a refreshing dip, Charavines Beach on Lac de Paladru is a beautiful spot equipped for swimming.
Yes, the area offers numerous trails for walking, cycling, and mountain biking. A greenway along the east bank of Lac de Paladru is accessible for various activities. Popular routes include the "Petit Tour du lac de Paladru" and "Le tour du lac de Paladru." For cycling, you can find routes like the "Lake Paladru – Lake Paladru loop from Bilieu" or "Charavines Beach loop from Bilieu" in the Cycling around Bilieu guide. For mountain biking, explore routes such as "Lake Paladru – Our Lady of the Vines loop from Charavines" in the MTB Trails around Bilieu guide.
For an expansive view of Lac de Paladru, visit the Croix des Cochettes View of Lac de Paladru. High up on the hillside, this viewpoint offers a wonderful perspective of the glacial lake. There are also marked trails in the hills surrounding the lake that provide panoramic vistas.
Lac de Paladru is known as the "Blue Lake" due to its striking turquoise color, attributed to lacustrine chalk covering its bottom. It is the fifth-largest natural lake in France and is of glacial origin. Beyond its natural beauty, it holds significant archaeological importance with remains from ancient communities, including a Neolithic village from 2700 BC.
Yes, Lac de Roybon is recognized as a first-category lake for fishing. It is well-equipped with facilities like pontoons and shared fishing areas, and trout are regularly released into the lake, making it a popular spot for anglers.
Absolutely. Lac de Paladru offers supervised beaches like Charavines Beach, ideal for family bike rides and swimming. Lac de Roybon features a leisure area with picnic spots, children's games, pedal boat rentals, and areas for petanque, making it a great family destination. The Grand-Lemps Pond is also considered family-friendly.
The summer months are very popular, especially for Lac de Paladru, when the water is refreshing and reaches up to 25 degrees Celsius, perfect for swimming and water sports. However, the area is also beautiful off-season for hiking and cycling, offering a quieter experience.
Yes, there are several running trails around the lakes. For example, you can find routes like the "Plage municipale de Paladru loop from Paladru" or the "Lac de Paladru loop from Bilieu" in the Running Trails around Bilieu guide.
The lakes are nestled in a green environment with wooded hills, offering a picturesque setting. Lac de Paladru's ecosystem includes seven protected natural areas, such as the Grands Roseaux, which are vital for birds and fish. The Grand-Lemps Pond nature reserve also presents exceptional flora and fauna, including peat bog vegetation and sphagnum groups.
Lac de Paladru is a significant site for underwater archaeology. Remains from ancient communities, including a Neolithic village from 2700 BC and settlements from the An Mil period, have been discovered and are now displayed at the Archaeological Museum of Lake Paladru (MALP). You can learn more about its history on Wikipedia.
Visitors particularly enjoy the refreshing blue water of Lac de Paladru, especially during the summer months. The excellent cycle path around its perimeter is also a highlight, as are the various viewpoints offering stunning perspectives of the glacial lake.


Still not found your perfect lake around Bilieu? Check out the guides of these regions to see even more beautiful places.