Lac de Combloux (Lac des Fées)
Barely a kilometre below the village, the small glacial lake known locally as Lac des Fées (Lake of the Fairies) offers one of the most quietly spectacular reflections of Mont Blanc accessible anywhere in the massif without a chairlift or a long hike. In calm conditions at dawn the entire massif — from the Aiguille Verte to the Dôme du Goûter — appears inverted in the still water, framed by reeds
Swimming and Summer Activities
The lake is officially designated a baignade surveillée (supervised swimming area) in July and August, with a lifeguard on duty during afternoon hours. The water temperature reaches a surprisingly pleasant 20–22°C in late July, fed by snowmelt but warmed by the south-facing bowl.
A gravel path circumnavigates the lake in about 25 minutes and is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Paddleboard and pedalo rental operates from the small wooden kiosk on the northern shore from late June to early September — no advance booking needed.
Wildlife and Winter
The reed beds on the eastern shore shelter great crested grebes, little grebes, and in migration season the occasional kingfisher hunting along the outlet stream. Bring binoculars in May and September for the best birdwatching.
In winter the lake sometimes freezes sufficiently for ice skating, though this is weather-dependent and not officially organised — locals will tell you quickly whether it is safe. The snowy shore with the massif behind it is one of the most serene winter scenes in the entire Arve valley.
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