Lacs aux Dames, Outdoor recreation area with lakes in Samoëns, France
The Lacs aux Dames are two ponds on the edge of Samoëns, set among wooded hills and rocky outcrops in the mountains. The site includes swimming areas, picnic spots, a playground, sports courts, an outdoor pool with a slide, and two bar-restaurants along the water.
The site was developed as an outdoor recreation area and does not have a long history as a built place. For generations, people from the surrounding valleys have come here to enjoy the water and the open land around it.
The Lacs aux Dames are used by both locals and visitors as a place to swim, fish, picnic, and walk around the water. On weekends, families tend to gather along the shore and children play near the edge of the lakes.
The site is open from May to October, and swimming in the lakes is allowed from mid-July to early September during set hours of the day. Parking is free on site, and the area is accessible for wheelchair users, with adapted toilets and wide paths.
Despite being in a small mountain village, the site has an outdoor pool with three basins and a water slide, which is unusual for such a remote setting. Kayaking and paragliding can also be arranged directly from the lakes, making it more of a sports hub than it first appears.
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