When the heat sets in, you don’t have to drive all the way to the ocean for a swim. The Gironde is full of lakes with lifeguarded swimming areas, usually free, with sandy beaches and shallow zones made for children. Here is our selection — and how to get there as a family without fighting for a parking space on the hottest day of the year.
In Bordeaux and just outside
Plage du Lac — Bordeaux
Right inside the city, on the shore of the Bordeaux lake, Plage du Lac offers lifeguarded swimming throughout the summer (typically 1 June to 31 August, 12 noon to 7 pm) along with free activities. The simplest option when you want to cool down without leaving town.
Bègles-Plage — south of the city
A few minutes from Bordeaux, Bègles-Plage lays out a lifeguarded swimming zone of roughly 1,000 m² on a seven-hectare lake, edged by a fine sand beach and a lawn area. Relaxed and family-oriented.
West: the great coastal lakes
These are the ones worth the drive: vast stretches of fresh water running parallel to the Atlantic, separated from the ocean by the dune belt, fringed with pine forest and sandy beaches. You get the atmosphere of the coast without the surf or the rip currents.
Lake Lacanau — Le Moutchic and La Grande Escoure
An hour from Bordeaux, Lake Lacanau has two lifeguarded beaches: Le Moutchic, the reference for families with young children (calm water, gently shelving shore, and a Handiplage accessibility label), and La Grande Escoure, supervised in July and August. Sailing, paddleboarding, canoeing and inflatable structures round out the day — the floating assault course at Le Moutchic features in our guide to the water parks near Bordeaux. Supervision generally runs from early June to the end of August, with extended hours at the height of summer.
Lake Carcans-Hourtin — the largest natural lake in France
At 18 km long by 5 km wide (close to 5,700 hectares), Lake Hourtin-Carcans is the largest natural freshwater lake lying entirely within France. It sits on the peninsula between the Atlantic and the Gironde estuary. On the Carcans side, the town staffs lifeguarded swimming areas at Maubuisson, Montaut and Bombannes; to the north you reach Hourtin and its marina. Maubuisson is the liveliest (shops and restaurants), Bombannes the most sporty, with its large outdoor activity centre set in the pines.
East: Libourne and around
Lac des Dagueys — Libourne
East of Bordeaux, Lac des Dagueys is a long-standing family favourite: lifeguarded swimming, a pool reserved for under-10s, and plenty of sports around the water. Ideal for a full day.
North and south of the Gironde
Lac d’Hostens — southern Gironde
A former industrial site turned nature park, Lac d’Hostens has two landscaped, lifeguarded sand beaches in a wooded setting that stays noticeably cooler than the open coast on a scorching day.
Lacs du Moulin Blanc — Saint-Christoly-de-Blaye
To the north, the Lacs du Moulin Blanc offer lifeguarded swimming and even swimming lessons — a good address for families with young swimmers.
Lac des Nauves — Coutras
Another well-liked outdoor centre in the north-east of the Gironde, Lac des Nauves at Coutras rounds off the list when you want to vary your weekends.
| Lake | Town | Distance from Bordeaux | Drive time | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plage du Lac | Bordeaux | In the city | 15 min | Lifeguarded, free, activities |
| Bègles-Plage | Bègles | ≈ 10 km | 15 min | Sand beach, family atmosphere |
| Lac des Dagueys | Libourne | ≈ 45 km | 45 min | Children’s pool, sports |
| Lac d’Hostens | Hostens | ≈ 45 km | 55 min | Two lifeguarded beaches, shaded |
| Lacs du Moulin Blanc | St-Christoly-de-Blaye | ≈ 45 km | 45 min | Swimming lessons |
| Lake Lacanau | Lacanau (Le Moutchic) | ≈ 55 km | 1 h | Two lifeguarded beaches, Handiplage |
| Lake Carcans-Hourtin | Carcans (Maubuisson) | ≈ 60 km | 1 h 10 | Largest natural lake in France |
| Lac des Nauves | Coutras | ≈ 60 km | 50 min | Outdoor activity centre |
Distances and times are measured from central Bordeaux and vary with your pick-up point and traffic. Supervision periods and hours are set each year by the local councils — check before you set out, especially outside July and August.
Getting there with a private chauffeur
A day at the lake is restful… except for the logistics when it’s very hot: full car parks, a scorching car on the way back, a tiring drive with children worn out by swimming. With Bordeaux Privilège:
- Drop-off and pick-up as close as possible to the beach, with no circling for a space.
- An air-conditioned, cool vehicle for the return — not a car that has baked in the sun all day.
- The whole family together in an SUV or a 7-seat van (on request), beach bags included.
- No driving after a day in the sun — you get home relaxed.
- An English-speaking chauffeur, which helps when you are working out a day trip in an unfamiliar area.
We operate from Bordeaux, the metropolitan area and anywhere in the Gironde, with bookings 7 days a week.
A day at the lake without the parking?
Tell us which lake and which date — we’ll take you there.
Frequently asked questions
Which lake near Bordeaux suits young children?
Lac des Dagueys at Libourne has a pool reserved for under-10s, and Plage du Lac in Bordeaux is lifeguarded and very easy to reach. Both work well for families.
What is the largest lake near Bordeaux?
Lake Hourtin-Carcans, on the peninsula west of the Gironde estuary: 18 km long by 5 km wide, close to 5,700 hectares. It is the largest natural freshwater lake lying entirely within France, roughly an hour from Bordeaux.
Are the coastal lakes a good alternative to the ocean?
Yes, and often a more reassuring one with young children. Lakes Lacanau and Carcans-Hourtin offer calm water with no waves and none of the rip currents (locally called baïnes) found on the Atlantic beaches, plus lifeguarded sand beaches in season.
Is swimming free?
Most of these public sites offer free swimming within the lifeguarded zone during the summer. Some car parks and side activities may be chargeable depending on the local council.
Can you carry the whole family and our beach gear?
Yes. On request, our 7-seat van comfortably takes the family along with parasols, cool boxes and bags.
What if we would rather have the ocean?
We also serve the coastal beaches — see our dedicated page on ocean excursions from Bordeaux.
To plan your day out, contact Bordeaux Privilège. Prefer salt water and waves to a lake? See our trips to the ocean beaches and Arcachon Bay. Further south, we also run Basque Country day trips.