3rd largest water reservoir in France
The lake of Vouglans in the Jura is 35 kilometers long and 900 meters wide at the most. It is a dam lake of impressive dimensions. Although it is "only" the third largest water reservoir in France, the lake begins at the port of Saisse and ends 35 kilometers below at the village of Lect.
Commissioned in 1968 for the production of electricity, the Vouglans lake has a capacity of 605 million m3 of water, an average depth of 40 meters and a total surface area of 16 km².
One of the particularities of this lake is to be fed in majority by the Ain and to remain so named, hydrologically speaking, throughout its course.
Another particularity is that the Vouglans lake is fully navigable, except for the exclusion zone ( Z.E ) in the vicinity of the dam, which starts 1400 meters upstream from the building.
Pascaline Rigolet is one of the managers of the Bellecin nautical base, on the banks of the Vouglans lake. She is a rowing enthusiast on the lake and she accompanies and guides us throughout this Jura navigation.
The Bellecin nautical base is one of the training sites of the French rowing team. It is, before being a purely nautical base, a complete sports complex, offering accommodation, catering and sports services ( coaching, simulationeuros ) to groups ( schools, summer camps euros ) in the first place.
The rental offer ( paddle, windsurfing, catamaran rental ) is open to individuals.
For sailing enthusiasts, the port of Mercantine is home to the Jura Nautical Club and a harbour master's office is active from June to September.
Three areas of nautical practices
" Except for a 50-meter wide band around the lake where the speed limit is 5 km/h, three practice zones have been defined on the lake "explains the manager:
- Zone A : Included between the port of Saisse and the junction with the Cimante, the speed of navigation is limited to 10 km/h. It is mainly used for fishing.
- Zone B: Between the Cimante and the Bellecin water sports base, this zone is intended for motorboating and water skiing. Within this zone, the speed of navigation is limited to 60 km/h.
- Zone C : Between Bellecin and the E.Z. upstream of the dam, it is assigned to sailing, rowing, canoeing, kayaking... The possible motor boats which cross there are limited to a speed of 10 km/h. Sailboats and other boats do not have a speed limit.
" These three zones allow a relatively peaceful cohabitation and a good sharing of the lake as a whole, each one having about a third of the length of the lake "explains Pascaline.
The gendarmerie watches over the season
In summer, a river police patrol boat is present on the water to monitor both compliance with speed limits and the proper use of the watercraft. It can intervene, on request, in case of incident (by phone at 17 or at the 112 ).
A VHF radio watch is maintained, both on board the launch and from the other location of the authorities, in the port of Le Meix. It is recommended, before taking to the water, to find out whether or not the watch is effective, and the channel used, on the day concerned.
Modest improvements
" There is little development around the lake, to avoid mass tourism "explains the manager. Few facilities do not mean that there are no services. There are indeed restaurants, bars and shops, but most of them are not for the lake itself, they are present and open all year round, for locals as well as for vacationers.
" We have a short season, barely two months, during which the practices remain calm and peaceful "explains the person in charge of the nautical base.
However, don't be mistaken, there are also activities for those who want to do something other than sailing. The Hérisson waterfalls and the Maison des cascades, the Toy Museum, the prehistoric palafittic sites classified by UNESCO, the Via Ferrata, the hiking trails and thematic paths are only a few examples.
The only drawback is that accessibility for people with reduced mobility, especially for hiking trails, is made difficult or impossible by the geography of the area.
Three main ports
There are three main harbors on the shores of the lake. The port of Saisse has 47 and offers most of the classic services of a river port. Launching crane, ramp, water and electricity on the pontoons. This harbor can, in case of heavy use of the dam, be dry. It is important to get information on the expected and current ratings to avoid being stranded!
The port of Le Meix, the largest on the lake, in the complex of the place called Le Surchauffant, is the only port located in the motorboat area known as "speed". It has 274 places distributed in 3 pontoons as well as a fuel station (unleaded only). Water and electricity are available on the pontoons as well as a slipway, next to the pier for the boat "Le Louisiane".
Finally, the Mercantine port offers a capacity of 270 pitches divided into 7 different pontoons. Water and electricity are also available on the pontoons. A slipway is available, as well as a crane and a grey water pump.
Several other pontoons ( private or public ) are present on the lake. It is advisable to refer to the indications on the pontoons themselves to know if it is allowed, or not, to accost there. And to respect these indications, of course.
All baths supervised
All the beaches along the Vouglans lake ( there are 7 in total ) is supervised in season by lifeguards. All of them also offer a quick snack service.
All are accessible by car and the parking is free of charge on all the parking lots along the Vouglans lake, which is becoming rare for sites of tourist interest.
The specificities of navigation on the Vouglans lake
According to Pascaline " the navigation is super easy on the Vouglans lake. In the morning, the rowers and the engines because there is no wind at all. In the middle of the day and until the beginning of the evening, thermals are formed, by the rise of the cold air coming from the valley and there we have a little more fun. And, at the end of the day, a light breeze that can cool the atmosphere down a lot "explains the specialist. In other words, the afternoon sun can be deceiving at the end of the day.
" The official river signage is in place on the entire lake, in the conventional direction, i.e. towards the dam for the channels and towards the shore for the harbour entrances and exits "adds the manager.
" Beware of weapons and speed controls, the gendarmes are watching and watching well" she warns. Moreover, the armament requested is coastal in any point of the lake of Vouglans.
" Although it is not mandatory, wearing a lifejacket is widely recommended, regardless of the practice ".
" The Jura is not really a sailing region " according to the person in charge " there is never a crowd on the water and that's good. "Some local regattas or between clubs are organized, information is available at the Bellecin nautical base.
Finally, there is little or no risk of running aground, as there are no shoals and the banks are almost all gently sloping. Be careful, however, when approaching the beaches. If the navigation channels are clearly indicated, the lake level ( according to the operator's habits ) can vary greatly, so it's important for keelboats to keep an eye on what's under their feet!
To be noted, the navigation is totally free on the Vouglans lake. No vignette or payment per day, just put your boat in the water, and voilà!
Local tips
" The lake and its surroundings are called Little Canada "explains Pascaline. It is not without reason. In a forested and mountainous region, there is a lake with surprising dimensions, oriented North-South and which offers different practices, reminiscent of the great lakes of North America.
The vegetation is lush on the shores of the lake, there is no shortage of wildlife and some areas are protected. " Here again, respect the indications on the site to be sure not to disturb the animals which live peacefully here "continues Pascaline.
To eat, the manager has her favorite addresses. She agrees to share some of them. " Le Regardoir, which offers a view on the whole lake, in Moirans-Montagne is my favorite. There is the guinguette at Le Surchauffant, which has the advantage of being very close to the beach. Finally, the unmissable balcony, still at Surchauffant, to see the lake from its best angle ".
And, to be well on the lake of Vouglans, the responsible - chauvinistic certainly, she says it herself - recommends Bellecin Beach, which remains wild with minimal facilities. " There is a small catering shed. And that's all. The view on the lake is peaceful and we are far from the motor boats. "
" There is also Mercantine, it is charming, pretty and pleasant despite the noise of the engines. Above all, there are very accessible hiking trails. "
" Finally, to take in the sights, the views from the port of Le Meix are to die for."
Absolute favorite for the agapes, the restaurant " The Chalet "next to the Pyle bridge, classified as out of category by the specialist and local "says the gourmet connoisseur.
