Lac des Taillères, Lake in La Brévine, Switzerland
Lac des Taillères is a small lake in La Brévine, Switzerland, roughly a quarter kilometer wide and almost two kilometers long, with clear water that reflects the sky. Along its shore, tall grass and low bushes create a simple, natural edge where ducks and other waterfowl gather.
The lake sits in a region with a long farming past, where the rhythm of life has been tied to the land and its seasons for generations. The nearby village gained notice on January 12, 1987, when a weather station there recorded a temperature of minus 41.8 degrees Celsius, a Swiss record at the time.
The village of La Brévine, known locally as the Swiss Siberia, uses this body of water as a natural ice rink during the coldest months, with children and adults playing hockey and skating. In warmer seasons, people come here to fish quietly, swim, and rest under the trees along the shore.
A flat, easy path follows the shoreline, making this spot suitable for families with children or anyone who prefers a gentle walk. If you visit from late fall through winter, check local ice conditions before stepping onto the frozen surface.
Before locals skate on it, someone throws a heavy stone onto the ice: if the stone stays on top without breaking through, the surface is considered safe. On very cold days, you may also notice frozen water from nearby fountains forming natural ice shapes against the village walls.
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