It is in 1974, to mitigate the floods of the Seine, that a huge reservoir lake was created in the heart of the Champagne region. With a capacity of 350 million cubic meters of water, the Lac du Der is located exactly two and a half hours from Paris, and as much from Strasbourg. A real inland sea, this artificial lake occupies no less than 4800 hectares and has top-of-the-range nautical equipment. Walkers, hikers and boaters alike can enjoy the 77 kilometers of shoreline of this lake, one of the largest in Europe.
Nearly 800 sites for pleasure boating
Sailors, thermal or electric motorists are not forgotten. Deep in 15 meters to full water, the lake offers no less than 800 seats for nautical uses. These sites are distributed among 3 marinas:
- The marina of Nemours on the eastern shore of the lake, offers 200 locations for units ranging from 5 to 12 meters in length. It was renovated in 2003 and offers water and electricity on all pontoons. This port is reserved for yachts exclusively and has a mast and a careening area where water and electricity are available all year round.
- The Giffaumont nautical station welcomes all types of boats . Electricity and water are available at 400 seats that this marina offers. Exceptionally, 650 hectares of the Giffaumont nautical station are reserved exclusively for the practice of water skiing. The harbor welcomes boaters for a day, a weekend or a month and organizes, throughout the season, many regattas (1 Woman 1 Man 1 Boat, the 6 hours of Der or the Translac, one of the rounds of the OSIRIS sailing championship).
- Finally, the marina of Sainte-Marie du Lac-Nuisement has 120 locations . It welcomes only sailboats and has a dedicated area for windsurfers, kite-surfs and paddles. The harbor is also labeled Eco Tourism and Blue Flag. Water and electricity are available on all pontoons. Finally, all the sites are equipped with catways for easier access on board the sailboats that stop there.
Water at an average of 25°C in the summer!
For those who are not boaters, carnivorous fish, fishing from a boat, or just lounging in the shade of the oak trees - called dervos in the ancient Celtic language - this lake offers fishermen just about everything they could want from a body of fresh water. The lake is home to more than 15 species of fish and has more than 44 kilometers of shoreline authorized for fishing, covering more than 3,500 hectares of authorized area for this leisure activity.
Tourists, too, find around the lake the services and activities that always promise a good day. Even for swimming. The water temperature in the lake is a very reasonable 25°C in summer... enough to make some coastal residents swoon!
The regulatory specificities of the Lac du Der
A RPP (Special Police Regulation) in place on the Lac du Der ( managed by the Etablissement Public Territorial du Bassin ) requires boaters to :
- Have a Coastal or River license
- Have insurance for their boat, for themselves and for civil liability
- Have their current circulation card
- Wear a lifejacket on board dinghies
- Apply and comply with RIPAM rules, including privileges and bar rules
In addition, the following activities are prohibited:
- Underwater fishing
- Use of evacuated marine toilets
Finally, some restrictions are in place
- The use of the motor for sailing boats is only allowed when entering and leaving ports.
- The speed of the boats cannot exceed 35 knots. In ports, the speed is limited to 3 knots.
- Submerged obstacles to navigation are not marked
- Night anchorages are authorized to sailboats and motorboats of more than 2 tons
- Navigation is prohibited when visibility is less than 100 meters (300 meters for motorboats) or when the wind force exceeds 8 on the Beaufort scale
- No VHF watch for the emergency services, which must be alerted by telephone using the usual numbers (18 for the fire department, 15 for the ambulance, 17 for the police or 112)
Service to boaters and those who dream of becoming one
Sailing school, boat school, electric pontoon boats or boat rental. All the services for boaters as well as for those who want to become one are available around the lake or in its immediate vicinity. Laundromats, restaurants and pet grooming services complete the services that will make a stopover at the Lac de Der (launching possible at the port of Giffaumont for motorboats and jet-skis) an opportunity to explore a region of France that is not well known for its nautical offer.
From the yacht club
We were welcomed with a smile by Aysen Lyon. Within the Société Nautique du Lac du Der, she is a receptionist, a barmaid and a harbor manager. Coming from a family of yachting enthusiasts (her father owns a beautiful Rio), she has a real passion for "her" lake. " The Lac du Der is above all a navigation lake. We offer boaters pitches for the year as well as for short periods. The pitches are all equipped with electricity and water, for the comfort of everyone "she explains.
Other water users are not forgotten" Jet-ski owners, who can practice on the lake, can rent a place to safely leave their jet on its trailer all year long. This way, they don't have to tow it to the lake and it is more easily available. "
" As a side activity, we offer guided electric boat rides on the lake. Boaters who want to enjoy the lake for a swim are often surprised by the very mild water temperature! "
Advice from regulars on the lake
The spots and tricks to know? You can count on Aysen to point them out. " On the water, you have to go towards the middle of the lake, it is very pleasant, it is there that there is the most current and that you can really have fun on the water. For the launching, be careful not to take the wrong ramp, there is one for boats and one for jet-skis. Don't worry, everything is marked. By the way, if you need a hand during the launch, don't hesitate to ask me - I'm on the pontoons if I'm not at the reception - or ask one of my colleagues from Dismarine. We are here to help you if needed "Aysen recommends.
What about the quality of life on the pontoons? " We make sure to keep a family and friendly atmosphere, the grumblers are not welcome, whether on the water, on the pontoons or at the bar, the smile is required "explains Ms. Lyon.
Beware of the improvised picnic enthusiasts. " There is no supermarket nearby to buy a picnic, think of buying it in advance. "No worries about fuel though. " A service station is accessible to boaters from the water "adds Aysen.
The location specialist probably has some tips for our readers? " For a snack, go to the ice cream shop Aux caprices du lac for an Italian-style ice cream - the best. For lunch, go to Croc ô der, you will never be disappointed for a very reasonable price. If you sail with children, the accrobranche can be a good occupation. Finally, for the pictures ... I leave you the surprise to look for the photo spots, they are everywhere around and on the lake and you could be well surprised by the beauty of some landscapes! "concludes our hostess of the day.
What is your favorite place on Lac du Der? " Probably this fountain, which the children call the Magic Fountain. The adults speak of the whole fountain. In any case, it is by this place that I pass morning and evening, and I do not get tired of it, it is beautiful all year long "explains the lover of her lake!
Lac du Der data sheet
- Status : Artificial
- Main use : Flood protection of the Seine
- Surface area: 4,800 hectares
- Maximum depth: 18 meters
- Average depth: 4 to 7 meters
- Authorized boats: All, by area
- GPS coordinates : 48° 34? 57? N, 4° 45? 33? E
