Lac Blanc, Glacial lake in Haute-Savoie, France.
Lac Blanc is a glacial lake high in the Alps above Chamonix, nestled within the Mont Blanc massif. The water mirrors the surrounding peaks and sits amid steep slopes and rocky terrain.
The lake formed during the last ice age when glaciers carved depressions into the mountain terrain. Glacial movement shaped both this body of water and the surrounding landscape of the massif.
The lake draws photographers and nature lovers who come to capture the landscape through different seasons and weather conditions. People gather here to record the changing light and reflections on the water.
Reaching the lake requires several hours of hiking from either Col des Montets or Argentière village, though taking a cable car can shorten the journey. Sturdy footwear and preparation for changing weather conditions are essential at this elevation.
Swimming and washing dishes are prohibited in the lake to preserve water quality and protect the fragile alpine ecosystem. This protection keeps the water exceptionally clear and pristine.
Location: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Elevation above the sea: 2,351 m
Length: 67 m
Width: 41 m
Address: Lac Blanc, 74400 Chamonix, France
GPS coordinates: 45.98222,6.88944
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:41
The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes area has lakes from very different beginnings. Large lakes that formed from glaciers, like Lake Bourget or Lake Annecy, appeared after the glaciers in the Alps melted. They have deep water surrounded by mountains. In the Massif Central, volcanic lakes sit in old craters, such as Lake Pavin, which is nearly 7,000 years old, and Lake Issarlès, which goes down more than 100 meters deep. Some lakes are high up in the mountains, like Lake Guéry at 1250 meters, while others are in flat land or in deep valleys. There are also several artificial lakes built in the 20th century to make electricity or manage water flow. Lake Monteynard was created in 1962 on the Drac river, and Lake Saint-Étienne-Cantalès, held back by a dam on the Cère river since 1945, are popular spots for swimming, sailing, and fishing. Each lake feels different: clear and cold mountain waters, wooded shores in Jura, changing colors in volcanic craters. Visitors can walk around these places, go by boat, or just enjoy the views from the banks.
Occitanie hosts a wide variety of lakes spread between the Pyrenees and the Massif Central. Natural lakes mainly occupy high-altitude zones in the Pyrenees, where glacial erosion has carved out cirques and basins now filled with water. Lake Oô, located at 4,950 feet (1,507 meters) altitude, receives water from a 984-foot (300-meter) waterfall descending from Lake Espingo. The Bastan lakes form a series of three linked water bodies between 7,217 and 8,202 feet (2,200 and 2,500 meters) near Barèges, while Lake Bethmale, at 3,498 feet (1,065 meters) in Couserans, is surrounded by beech forests. Artificial lakes in the region serve various functions, including water storage, hydroelectric power, and recreational activities. Lake Salagou, created in 1969 in Herault, stands out for its distinctive geological setting: red rocks rich in iron give the landscape a reddish-brown hue. Lake Pareloup, covering about 3,485 acres (1,410 hectares) in Aveyron, is one of the largest reservoirs in the area. Lake Saint-Ferréol, built in the 17th century at the foot of the Black Mountain, supplies the Canal du Midi and demonstrates historic hydraulic engineering. These lakes offer opportunities for hiking, sailing, and windsurfing, especially at Lake Ganguise where the wind blows roughly 300 days per year.
Chemin de fer du Montenvers
6.7 km
Mer de Glace ice cave
6.5 km
Téléphérique du Brévent
5.9 km
Aiguilles Rouges National Nature Reserve
1.5 km
Télécabine de la Mer de Glace
6 km
Chemin du Montenvers
5.6 km
Passy National Nature Reserve
6.5 km
Aiguille du Belvédère
1.3 km
Grand hôtel du Montenvers
5.8 km
Glaciorium
5.8 km
Col du Brévent
5.8 km
Grand Balcon Nord
3.7 km
Télécabine de la Flégère
4.5 km
Téléphérique de la Flégère
4.5 km
Glacier du Nant Blanc
6.5 km
Réserve naturelle nationale du vallon de Bérard
2.2 km
Viaduc du Montenvers
5.7 km
Aiguille de la Floria
1.8 km
Eau de Bérard
4.8 km
Névé de l'Index
1.9 km
Chemin Sortie Vallée Blanche
5.4 km
Dards Glacier
1.3 km
Aiguille à Bochard
5.2 km
Pendant Glacier
6.4 km
Glacier de Lognan
6.1 km
Sentier des Gardes
6.2 km
Via Ferrata des Evettes
2.5 km
Tête de Moëde
6.4 kmReviews
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