Anchorage

Baie de Grésine

3.6France

Shelter: NE, E, SE, S
Seabed: algae
Anchoring: Allowed

Anchorage on the western shore of the lac du Bourget, north of Aix-les-Bains, algae seabed.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Reached via the Canal de Savières from the Rhône at Chanaz, then south across the lake. No tide. Shelter from NE, E, SE and S winds. The vent du midi from the south and the bise from the north can both raise short chop on the 18 km-long lake.

Practical

Anchor holding on algae is moderate; set carefully and check with a dive mask. Grand port d'Aix-les-Bains 2.1 NM S and Petit Port 2.7 NM S for water, fuel and provisions.

Ashore

The Abbaye royale de Hautecombe, founded in the 12th century and burial site of the House of Savoy, stands on the western shore and is accessible by footpath. The lakeside via ferrata and the Dent du Chat ridge at 1,390 m rise directly above the anchorage.

History

Lamartine wrote Le Lac here in 1817 after a stay with Julie Charles at Aix-les-Bains. The lake is the largest natural lake wholly within France, at 44.5 km².