Lac de Chalain

This glacial lake is the largest natural lake in the department with a site in a remote feature. Its limestone cliffs 60 to 80 meters surround the rectangular body of water 232 hectares with about 3 km long, over 1 km wide and a maximum depth of 30 m (precise figures: 2700 m in length , 1100 m in width and 16.2 m average depth). The remote is oriented east-west and leads to the Combe d'Ain: the spillway of the lake is a reach of 2 km which drives a turbine to produce electricity before reaching the river.

It is fed by several springs and resurgences that run through the underground karst Jura from upper trays and lakes Narlay and Vernon.

One can discover the lake from the viewpoints of Fontenu.

Lake Chalain is since 1950 owned by the department of Jura who provided at the end is an important tourist center with its high-end camping and leisure base, which is managed by the board of county area Chalain. Tourists Franche-Comté but also European (Dutch, English, Swiss ...) tributary. The lake is thus an important part of tourism development in the region.

We practice all water activities except the navigation engine, prohibited for the purpose of preserving the peace and the environment. The bank is a long beach busy and partly monitored plus the development of common Marigny and Doucier at each corner of the west end. The CREPS of Franche-Comte, a public institution of the Ministry of Health, Youth and Sports (National Center for Outdoor Sports) is also installed on a lake, the town of Doucier.

Diving, sailing, windsurfing and fishing (pike, perch, whitefish) complete the activities that drive the water in summer.

Several ranges are allowed to practice naturism.