In Chamonix, in the Aiguilles Rouges massif, a prefectural decree prohibits swimming in the Chéserys lakes and Lac Blanc from July 1st to August 31st.
With the particularly high temperatures of the past two weeks, the temptation to cool off in the high-altitude lakes is great. However, swimming remains strictly prohibited in the lakes located within the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserves, particularly at Lac Blanc and the Chéserys lakes. This measure was introduced in the summer of 2023 by prefectural decree and has long been fought for by the owners of these sublime mountain pastures.
At Lac Blanc, the issue was even health-related, as the Lac Blanc refuge uses the water directly for its cooking. The ban is also justified due to the fragility of these aquatic environments, which are home to particularly sensitive biodiversity.
The Aiguilles Rouges nature reserves also advise that even dipping your feet is prohibited, as it contributes to bank erosion and disrupts the balance of these ecosystems. Especially since the use of sunscreen, often carried into the water, seriously harms the quality of these environments. To preserve the beauty and health of these exceptional natural sites, respecting the rule is therefore essential.
Le Dauphiné
