Anchorage

Lac du Der

5.0France

Shelter: NW, N, NE, W, SW
Seabed: algae, mud
Anchoring: Allowed

Anchorage on Lac du Der-Chantecoq, a 4 800 ha reservoir in the Marne and Haute-Marne departments, Grand Est.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Inland lake reached via the village of Giffaumont-Champaubert on the southern shore. Mud and weed bottom, so holding is variable and an anchor alarm is advisable. Shelter from N to SW sectors; open to the S and SE fetch across the main basin.

Practical

Giffaumont-Champaubert harbour lies 1.6 NM to the S and Sainte-Marie-du-Lac 2.1 NM to the NW for supplies, water and fuel. Sailing school and small boat hire operate from Giffaumont in season.

Ashore

Ornithological observatories at Chantecoq and Les Grues on the eastern dyke, within 3 km of the southern shore. Village Musee du Pays du Der at Sainte-Marie-du-Lac gathers half-timbered farm buildings relocated when the valley was flooded. Signed cycle path around the lake, about 38 km in total.

History

The reservoir was commissioned in 1974 to regulate the Marne and protect Paris from flooding. Three villages, Champaubert-aux-Bois, Chantecoq and Nuisement-aux-Bois, were submerged during construction. The church tower of Champaubert still stands isolated on the southern shore as a memorial.

Story

Every autumn about 80 000 common cranes stop over on the lake during their southward migration, one of the largest gatherings in western Europe.

Key facts

Type: Anchorage
Coordinates: 48.57827, 4.78654 (48°34.70'N 4°47.19'E)
Country: France
Shelter: Sheltered from north-west, north, north-east, west, south-west winds
Seabed: algae, mud
Anchoring: Allowed
Boaters' rating: 5.0/5
Updated: July 7, 2026