Lac des Settons:swimming, sailing and hiking in the Morvan

With its 366 hectares of calm water at the heart of the Morvan Regional Nature Park, Lac des Settons is the most famous and liveliest of the six Great Lakes of the Morvan. Built under Napoleon III to serve timber floating to Paris, this artificial lake has become the tourist centrepiece of the region: swimming, sailing, paddleboarding, hiking, fishing and lazing on Blue Flag beaches. This guide gives you everything you need to make the most of this freshwater gem on the doorstep of the Côte-d’Or.

A historic dam at the heart of the Morvan

The granite dam of 1858

Lac des Settons was born from the construction of a stone dam between 1854 and 1858, on the Cure River. The structure, 267 metres long and 20 metres high, was assembled from granite blocks quarried from the Breuil-Chenue forest and carried by oxen teams over 15 kilometres. The dam was inaugurated in 1858. The reservoir reached full capacity in 1861.

The caretaker’s house, built on the hill to house the site engineers, dominates the works; the site has been classified since 1937. It now houses the Lac des Settons tourist office - an essential stop to prepare your visit.

From timber floating to blue tourism

The lake was originally a reservoir designed to regulate the flow of the Yonne for timber floating - transporting logs by waterway to Paris. This industry, vital for the Morvan in the 19th century, ceased around 1920 when coal replaced wood as fuel. From the 1950s, the lake underwent its tourist conversion: the first campsite opened in 1956 and water activities developed rapidly.

Today, Lac des Settons is one of the six Great Lakes of the Morvan that supply water to the Burgundy Canal and the Nivernais Canal - an industrial heritage turned major tourist asset.

Water activities on Lac des Settons

The ACTIVITAL centre: sailing and water sports

Located on the right bank, the ACTIVITAL centre is the hub of water sports on the lake. It offers:

• Catamaran and dinghy sailing for experienced or beginner sailors
• Windsurfing and paddleboarding (stand-up paddle)
• Jet-ski and water skiing
• Kayaking and pedal boats for family outings
• Towed inflatables for thrills

Courses and clinics are organised during school holidays for children and teenagers. The Nautical Club, recognisable by its pagoda-style architecture, now houses a restaurant overlooking the lake.

Rental prices

Rentals are available by half-day or full-day depending on the activity. Enquire at reception for current rates.

Paddleboarding, kayaking and boat trips

For a peaceful experience, paddleboarding and kayaking are ideal. Sightseeing boats, “Les Settons” and “Morvan”, offer guided tours of about 1 hour departing from the dam, with commentary on the lake’s history and local wildlife.

The marina at La Faye bay (right bank) welcomes boaters. Its berths are fully booked for the 2026 season.

Beaches and swimming at Lac des Settons

The Presqu’île des Settons beach is the only developed and supervised beach on the lake. It is Blue Flag certified - a guarantee of bathing water quality. Supervision runs from mid-July to mid-August, generally from 1:15 pm to 5:45 pm (closed on Mondays).

Several small wild beaches are freely accessible along the lake’s shores, perfect for a peaceful swim away from the summer crowds.

Hiking around Lac des Settons

The GR de Pays: 14 km along the water

The complete loop around Lac des Settons follows the GR de Pays (red and yellow markings) and the GR 13 (red and white markings). The circuit is 14 km with ideal characteristics for a family outing:

• Elevation gain: almost none (26 to 39 metres positive elevation)
• Duration: 3 h 30 to 4 h at a moderate pace
• Difficulty: easy, accessible to all
• Surface: forest trails, very little tarmac
• Shade: excellent, under the cover of Morvan forest

The route offers near-constant views of the lake and crosses areas of beech woodland and conifer plantations typical of the Morvan.

Trail markings and landmarks

From the dam to Chevigny, follow the GR 13 (red and white). From Pont de la Cure to the southern end of the lake, take the GR de Pays (red and yellow). From Pont du Lyonnet to the dam, the trail is shared with the mountain bike route.

Variations and extensions

For more experienced hikers, the Saut de Gouloux from Lac des Settons offers a 16 km circuit with 288 metres of elevation gain, leading to a remarkable waterfall. The Great Lakes circuit connects several Morvan reservoirs for multi-day itineraries.

Fishing on Lac des Settons

Lac des Settons is renowned as one of the best fishing spots in the Morvan. It is home to pike-perch, carp, perch, pike and trout. Night fishing zones are open from April to June and from September to October. A fishing licence is required, available from the tourist office or online.

Practical information

Access and parking

Lac des Settons is located in Montsauche-les-Settons (Nièvre), on the eastern edge of the Morvan Park, just a few kilometres from the Côte-d’Or. From Dijon, allow about 1 h 15 (via A38 and D978). From Paris, about 3 h via the A6 (Avallon exit). Several free car parks are scattered around the lake, notably near the Presqu’île beach and the ACTIVITAL centre.

The tourist office is housed in the former dam caretaker’s house.

Accommodation and dining

Several accommodation options line the lake:

• Camping Plage des Settons - right on the beach
• Domaine de la Cabane Verte - chalets and rentals with privileged access to water activities
• Hotels and gîtes in Montsauche-les-Settons and surrounding villages

Restaurants with lake-facing terraces serve traditional Morvan cuisine, including specialities of smoked trout and local cured meats.