The lake of Settons - " chettons " in Morvan - is a fresh water lake of 366 hectares. Located at an altitude of nearly 600 meters in the heart of Burgundy, this lake is one of the 6 bodies of water that make up the area called Morvan Summits and Great Lakes.
An artificial lake to transport wood
Created between 1850 and 1858, south of Montsauche-les-Settons, the dam on the Cure feeds water to the lake which today serves as a drinking water reserve for the surrounding communes. It was created for a completely different purpose. It allowed to facilitate the floating of the wood coming from the Morvan forests to Paris. This 20 meters high and 267 meters long dam made of Morvan granite blocks is classified as a French heritage site since 1937.
Leisure centre since the beginning of the 20th century
It was at the beginning of the 20th century that the lake was seen as a tourist area in its own right. The beautiful villas that line its shores are proof of this. And the architecture of the guard house built on the hillside, where the engineers lived during the construction of the dam, reminds us of this beautiful time. It has been classified as a historical monument since 1944. Today, it houses the tourist office of the Lac des Settons.
It is in this house that Elodie Couailler is a development agent and manager of the marina within the tourist office. Pleasure boater ( it has a Kelt 5.50 ), she knows how to talk about her lake both from the shore and on the water.
" The lake of Settons is a simple family lake but offers quality services to all users " begins the manager. " A beach is arranged. It is supervised in summer and has a blue flag label. Other beaches and bathing areas exist, as the lake is very gently sloping. "
A hiking trail goes around the lake ( about fifteen kilometers ). It is accessible to both pedestrians and bicycles and, of course, to people with reduced mobility. Picnic tables are located along the route.
Multi-activity lake, on land and on water
" The lake of Settons is open to almost all activities "explains Elodie. The only practice forbidden is kitesurfing, due to the proximity of the trees. " In the center of the lake are 2 islands, perfect places to escape and take yourself for a Canadian trapper continues the guide.
" Some rare activities are offered, such as flyboarding or e-foil ' continues the manager. " For kids, one of the things Glissland offers is the Blob Jump, a really fun activity."
For the rest, the usual activities are proposed. Swimming, pedal boats, canoeing, kayaking, water skiing, towed buoys, fishing are among the activities that can be found on this modestly sized body of water. "We are working to ensure that all practices and all users can coexist in good understanding, without giving more or less importance to one or the other, because users must be able to discover new practices insists the manager.
A modest but sufficient supply of accommodation
" We have a hotel-restaurant and several campsites around the lake, but the desire is to keep the offer limited, so as not to saturate the landscape." explains Elodie.
The result is there, this lake is in a wild and preserved territory: " The will of the tourist office and the local actors is to keep the original spirit of the lake, a small secret in the middle of the forest "she adds.
Elodie adds " It is a very mixed and small lake that gathers many different users (jet skis, buoys, sailboats, fishermen). You can expect a lot of activity in the middle of summer. It is therefore not the ideal place for someone who wants to be quiet, at least not in the middle of the season ".
Boaters are not forgotten
" The rental of boats is managed by Activital, which offers catamarans, canoes, e-foils in particular, for free practice as well as supervised practice. Private lessons on all the rental equipment are offered at 62 euros per hour for 2 people, again by Activital. "
Boaters with their own boats can use the available boat slip or come to one of the 4 public pontoons. " Other pontoons exist, they are managed by campgrounds or belong to individuals. Boaters are asked not to use them without permission "explains the yachtswoman.
" The billing principle is based on the power of the motorboats. Non-habitable sailboats do not pay a launch fee, nor do electrically powered boats. "
It is useful to note that any fisherman holding a federal license (regardless of the department) can use the slipway for free.
" About fifty sites on pontoons are available to the public "explains Elodie. " Rates range from 8 euros to 32 euros per day for the slipway. The pontoons are 20 euros for the weekend and the moorings are 15 euros. "
These rates include water, electricity and access to sanitary facilities. Moreover, the family spirit is preserved, each yachtsman is given a key that allows him to access the facilities.
" There is a mini-market on the lakefront, with long opening hours in season. Fuel is available four kilometers from the lake "concludes the guide.
And if that wasn't enough, the campgrounds all have their own grocery stores, they leave them accessible to people who don't live there.
Some navigation rules to keep in mind
As on most inland water bodies, a Special Police Regulation is in place.
It states certain rules, such as the prohibition of sailing from sunset to sunrise for sailboats. However, it is allowed to sleep on board. Motorboats are not allowed to sail between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. the next morning. " This is a common principle for all noisy activities, whether they be motorboats or jet-skis, to preserve the peace and quiet of other users. "
Kitesurfing is forbidden on the lake and on its shores. The VHF must be present and active on channel 9 on board the boats.
" The VHF is not monitored, but the various service providers, as well as the police force which is often present on the water, are equipped with "adds Elodie.
Finally, with the exception of the area near the dam, underwater diving is allowed on the lake, with the usual rules of indication.
" Standard markings are in place on the water, where speed is limited to 5 kilometers per hour outside the water ski area. "
Local tips and tricks
" Boats can be taken out of the water above the 14 meter mark on the lake. Between 17 meters and 15.5 meters, the navigation activity is normal. This is the level that is usually found between May and October "begins Elodie.
Tip that you can only find out on the spot: " Navigation in the speed zone must be clockwise "Elodie insists. " It is forbidden for two boats to pass each other in this area. "
" You can swim just about anywhere on the lake, at least where there is no swimming area. I recommend to do it on one of the two islands, to feel in full adventure "explains the lake navigator.
" Be careful, from mid-August, do not try to pass behind the islands with a keelboat, the water level is lowered in anticipation of the autumn rains and you risk scraping the bottom "adds the specialist. Or, rather, as she confesses " the one who had the opportunity to try to pass with a keelboat after August 15th... "
" The 100-meter zone around the dam is forbidden to navigation and to all practices. The gendarmerie frequently issues fines because this zone is extremely dangerous. It is marked and reminded on all the maps available in the different establishments around the lake "insists Elodie.
" Beware of gales on the lake, they are surprising. Sailors, do not take the lake lightly, it is technical and very changeable " she continues. " The temperatures can be surprisingly hot during the day and particularly cool in the evening. It is necessary to plan clothes accordingly. "
The fee for launching and using the pontoons is to be paid either at the tourist office ( near the dam ), or in Glissland.
" If you can't pay before use, you can pay the next morning, no one will come to evict you "adds the manager.
Nevertheless, arranging to pay in advance is always more elegant in such structures, if only to allow for the accounting of remaining places for other users.
The guide's advice
Elodie presents the places and tricks she likes to practice on this lake: " During the day, fish for crayfish, the lake is full of them. Keep them alive and, in the evening, eat them grilled, during an aperitif on the boat or in one of the bars on the lake shore. You can also enjoy a drink in one of the straw huts, I can tell you that it is a moment of pure pleasure, I do it every summer. "
His favorite place on the lake?
" The area around the islands has remained completely wild on the lake. There is a splendid sunset on the lake, with the dam in the background. It is magnificent "explains the one who, for a moment, became a tourist again.
Elodie finishes the presentation of her water plan: " An important event is being prepared. The lake will be emptied, as every 15 years, from the end of August 2022 until March 2023. It will be the occasion to discover it differently. "
