Beaches Near Lyon

While Lyon is primarily known for its revered culinary scene and historic city center, getting out of the city is a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture even further. The countryside surrounding the city is dotted with lovely lakes lined with both pebbly and sandy beaches perfect for swimming. And if you don't want to leave town, Lyon has plenty of swimming pools to get your water fix, like Centre Aquatique Les Vagues and the Tony Bertrand Swimming Pool.

Almost all of the lakes are within a few hours of central Lyon and are perfect ideas for day trips. Have excess luggage you don’t want to lug to the beach? You can quickly drop the bags off in Lyon at a Bounce location. Booking with the Bounce app takes minutes and you’ll rely on secure facilities and traceability with our convenient network of locations near travel hotspots. 

Our picks for the best beaches near Lyon 

While you may be missing the turquoise water of the French Riviera, the lakes and the Ain River provide excellent swimming conditions and a comfortable climate during the warm summer months. The many Alpine lakes east of Lyon were formed by glaciers, creating deeper lakes and cleaner water that are perfect for swimming, kayaking, and other water sports. These are less obvious destinations for travelers than a sandy beach outside of Nice, so you’ll have to compete with the bare minimum number of tourists. The rugged Alpine terrain also provides ample opportunity for hiking, and there are mountain biking trails. 

Lake Aiguebelette Beaches 

Located due East of Lyon, it takes either an hour by car or two by train (from Lyon-Part Dieu to Bourgoin Jallieu in Ruy and then a transfer to Aiguebelette-le-Lac) to reach this beautiful lake situated at the foot of Mount Epine in the Savoie region. There are a few lakes in the area along with a number of hot springs, but Aiguebelette-le-Lac is the most popular with a few beaches lining its shores that are perfect for sun loungers and swimmers. 

You can actually hit a few beaches on a day trip to Lake Aiguebelette, so leaving your bags in Lyon with Bounce is perfect for setting yourself up for an easy trek. You won’t be lugging your excess baggage around, and Bounce makes it simple to tailor your reservation around your plans! 

• Plage d'Aiguebelette-le-Lac: The village of Aiguebelette-le-Lac has a lovely waterfront with a sandy beach with picnic area. The beach is entirely free and you’ll be able to rent paddleboards, pedal boats, canoes, and kayaks to enjoy amazing views of Mount Epine and the surrounding topography. You'll also get this great view from your picnic table.
• Sougey Leisure Center: Situated on the other side of the lake, the recreation center also has an excellent beach equipped with a lifeguard and facilities for enjoying sun tanning and swimming through the crisp lake water. 
• Pré-Argent: This is the largest and most popular beach on Aiguebelette Lake, but the crowds are always manageable and you'll have lifeguards on duty all summer long. 
• Le Sunset Beach: This small beach is well-placed for watching the sunset (hence the name) and you’ll have several non-aquatic activities like mini-golf, tennis, and a playground to choose from as well.  

If that isn't enough and you're driving to your destination, tack on Lake Paladru on the way to Aiguebelette-le-Lac. It's nicknamed the Blue Lake and gives off Caribbean vibes even though it's nowhere near the sea.

Plage du Rowing 

The Aix les Bains Riviera des Alpes region is where you can start to sense the looming mountains in the distance, and there are some beautiful lakes nestled between the foothills of the Alps. Lac du Bourget is one of the most beautiful, and a short trek to Chambery is certainly worth considering if you want a lovely day trip from Lyon. By far one of the best beaches in Aix-les-Bains is the Plage du Rowing on Lake Bourget. Shaded by pine trees, its pebble beaches are perfect for relaxing in the sun or swimming.

The lake’s deep waters are crystal clear, and the tranquil lake looks like glass on most days, making it perfect for kayaking or balancing on an SUP.  You'll be able to visit nearby landmarks like Hautecombe Abbey and the town of Châtillon. If you want to pair some hiking with your trip to the beach, Bounce makes it easy to store practically anything including surfboards and umbrellas.

Lake Bordelan

One of the closer lakes to central Lyon, Lac de Bordelan hits the sweet spot of proximity to the city and the bucolic feel of the French countryside. It’s within a 34-minute drive of Lyon and you can even get here by train with a transfer at Villefranche-sur-Saône to Theodore Braun.

They’ve put together a sandy stretch between the pebbly riverfront and set up facilities for people to wash off. If you don’t mind rocky beaches, you can also hit the nearby River Ain for kayaking. Taking the train to Lake Bordelan? You can stop by a Bounce facility on your way to Lyon Part Dieu Station to stash your luggage while you head out into this beautiful corner of the French countryside.

Lake Miribel Jonage

Grand Parc Miribel Jonage is one of the largest local parks in Lyon and should be your first choice for an afternoon at the beach if you don't have time for a full day trip. The Lac des Eaux Bleues is a man-made lake with a number of nooks and crannies where you'll find perfectly groomed sandy beaches and crystal clear water from the Rhône. All of the beaches on the lake are free to use and are staffed with lifeguards during the summer months. 

Bounce has luggage storage locations throughout Lyon. If you want to hit the beach on a travel day, you can quickly drop your bags off on your way between the airport and Lake Miribel.  

• Plage de L'atol: This is the main beach area and the easiest one to reach from Lyon. It’s where you'll find the AquaPark and its activities for the kids. You'll be able to rent canoes and kayaks from the beach area. The conditions are incredibly easy for swimmers of all ages with incredibly calm waters.
• Plage de la Baraka: Situated in the corner of Lac des Eaux Bleues, Baraka is less busy than L’atol and perfect for families with young children who want to be able to spread out to build sand castles, or wade into the water. It's a narrow beach with ample coverage from the trees, making it more comfortable during sunny days. 
• Plage du Fontanil: This pebbly beach is less comfortable for kids, but Fontanil is perfect for renting a standup paddleboard because of the calm waters.

Lac des Sapins 

Cublize and Ronno are two tiny villages in the foothills of the Alps that are situated on the beautiful Lac des Sapins. This picturesque lake boasts a pebble beach of the same name. Surrounded by fir trees and hilly topography, enjoy peace, and quiet even when the beach is at its busiest. The area around the beach could not be more picturesque, making the fact that the lake is actually man-made (or a “natural swimming pool”) all the more surprising. It's perfect for a swim as the water basin is naturally filtered by the plants. Even with the seemingly remote setting, it's only about an hour's drive from Lyon.

Bounce strategically places our locations so travelers can really benefit from reliable luggage storage services. For travelers heading to the beach, a well-placed storage space near the waterfront can go a long way in ensuring luggage with electronics or valuables are kept safe and (most importantly) dry. Exploring the city center? Our top Lyon luggage storage locations are situated near major landmarks and attractions.