The long weekends in May are coming up very soon and promise some wonderful getaways. If you’re still looking for weekend getaway ideas this year, perhaps Lac du Der will win you over. This magnificent lake, located in Haute-Marne about three hours from Paris, is quite simply the largest artificial lake in France.
Lake Der: France’s largest artificial lake
You might think this landscape came straight from Canada, but it’s actually in France—specifically in Champagne—where you’ll discover this absolutely incredible place. This lake, which is entirely man-made, covers 48 km² and will seem endless. Between its crystal-clear turquoise waters and its six fine-sand beaches, you’ll have plenty to do.
There’s a superb 150-km bike path, 250 km of marked trails for hikers, six magnificent beaches where you can swim, and plenty of thrills to enjoy during the summer: wakeboarding, water skiing, kitesurfing… there’s bound to be an activity just for you!
As you can see, everything here is designed to let you soak up nature. By the way, it took 10 years of construction work to bring it to life. It serves to regulate the water levels of the Marne River, which feeds into the Seine, thus preventing flooding. Even today, the lake attracts more and more visitors thanks to its beautiful setting and family-friendly activities. A refreshing change of scenery that’s a must-see!