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Lac du Der, in the Champagne region between the Marne and Haute-Marne departments, is the largest artificial lake in Europe, covering 4,800 hectares. Here you can enjoy 6 supervised sandy beaches, a wealth of water activities, and one of the finest bird spectacles on the continent. Swimming, paddleboarding or simply relaxing by the water: this giant lake has something for everyone.
To plan your stay, discover our campsites set right on the shores.
Lac du Der-Chantecoq covers 4,800 hectares, making it the largest artificial lake in Europe. Filled to regulate the Marne river and protect the Paris area from flooding, this giant, with 77 km of shoreline, holds up to 350 million cubic metres of water. Its creation swallowed up three villages – Chantecoq, Champaubert-aux-Bois and Nuisement-aux-Bois – whose church was rebuilt stone by stone near the shore.
Today, Lac du Der combines vast sandy beaches, forests and hedgerow farmland. This extraordinary scale explains why it attracts both families looking to swim and nature lovers alike!
Swimming at Lac du Der takes place at 6 sandy beaches, supervised at the height of summer. Five are on the Marne side and one on the Haute-Marne side, all free to access. What’s more, the shallow, mild water, which sometimes reaches 30°C, reassures families with young children. Here are the beaches to lay out your towel:
Good to know: swimming is permitted and supervised only in July and August. Before you set off, our team recommends checking the flag and temperature posted each morning on the lake’s tourist office website. That way, you’ll avoid the disappointment of a closed beach and pick the best time for a refreshing dip!
Around Lac du Der, water and outdoor activities come in endless variety, from paddleboarding to sailing, as well as cycling along the 77 km of shoreline. Thrill-seekers and relaxed holidaymakers alike will find something to enjoy thanks to a varied range of options:
Crane watching makes Lac du Der the top birdwatching site in Europe. Indeed, every autumn, at the height of migration, up to 450,000 waterbirds stop off at the lake. According to the LPO (French Bird Protection League) of Champagne-Ardenne, the site welcomes up to 70,000 common cranes at the height of winter, close to 30% of the entire European population. The cranes’ ballet at sunrise, watched from the dyke or the Maison de l’Oiseau et du Poisson (Bird and Fish House), remains a real highlight of any stay. For swimming, aim for summer; for the birds, head there in autumn and winter instead!
Ready to pitch your tent or park your mobile home right by the water? Compare our lakeside campsites in Grand Est now, and book your own piece of Champagne paradise!
No, access to Lac du Der and its beaches remains free all year round. You only pay for certain organised activities, such as paddleboard rental, boat trips, or entry to the Maison de l’Oiseau et du Poisson. Parking near the beaches is also generally free.
The best time to visit Lac du Der depends on what you’re after. Summer is ideal for swimming and water sports, with water sometimes reaching 30°C. Autumn and winter, on the other hand, offer the spectacle of common cranes and hundreds of thousands of migratory birds.
To reach Lac du Der from Paris, allow around 2.5 hours’ drive via the A4 motorway, then towards Saint-Dizier. The lake straddles the Marne and Haute-Marne departments, in the Grand Est region. A car remains the most practical way to explore around the shoreline.
Yes, fishing is a popular activity at Lac du Der, known for its pike, pikeperch and other predatory fish. You’ll need a valid fishing licence and must respect the permitted areas and open seasons. This vast lake is one of the most popular destinations for anglers in the Champagne region.
