We had our first ☀️ summer visit to the 💦 Lac de l’Etape in Les Contamines-Montjoie back in 2015, with a four and a half year old and an 18 month old . . . I remember that it was the last August weekend of the holidays before 📚 La Rentrée, and I wanted to spend a special time en famille . . . and as there is a hotel and restaurant at the lake, we decided to spend the night (we were not quite ready for a refuge visit en famille at this stage!).

You can equally, of course, just head up to the 💦 Lac de l’Etape for a great day! The location works tremendously well for a group of friends or family composed of several generations, as there is something for everyone: chairs for relaxing at the restaurant, swimming in the lake, paddling in the lake, small boats and pedalos, playgrounds, pétanque, hiking, VTT park . . .

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Lac de l’Étape (1470m)

Situated at the top of the 🚡 Télécabine de la Gorge bubble lift, at an altitude of 1470m and with a view of the 🏔 majestic mountains, a visit to the 💦 Lac de l’Étape makes a wonderful summer visit (the small lake is cleaned and re-filled at the start of each summer season).

You can 🏊‍♀️ swim in the lake, children can paddle in the shallow water or play with the pebbles, or you can take out the 🚣‍♂️ mini boats (brassalos) and pedalos.

There is plenty of grass and shade for relaxing around the lake, so don’t forget a picnic blanket. Don’t forget to pack towels!

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Restaurant & Hotel

The 🥗 restaurant has plenty of shaded tables on the terrace, as well as lounging chairs . . . see Chalet Hôtel Restaurant Lac de l’Etape for more details.

[ good to know: if you book ahead to stay overnight at the Chalet Hôtel Restaurant Lac de l’Etape, then you can take the 🚡 Télécabine de la Gorge for free! ]

website & FB page

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Playgrounds

There is a 🌈 NEW wooden playground next to the lake, replete with long slide, climbing frame, netted swing, tyrolienne, a chill-out lounger, picnic tables and shaded seats!

The 💤 chill-out lounger:

There are also new 💦 WATER GAMES:

NEW for 2020 – pétanque (you can rent gear from the restaurant!):

There are also some 🧗‍♂️ great rocks for scrambling (be vigilant with children, and DO NOT let them climb unsupervised!).

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Hikes

There are several hikes leaving from the 💦 Lac de l’Étape, some leading to refuges where you can stop for lunch or drinks . . . so equip yourselves with a 🗺 map if you plan on 🥾 hiking . . . (available from Les Contamines-Montjoie Tourisme).

On our overnight stay a few years back, we had a (then) young boy and toddler in our walking group, so we decided to keep our hike short – we took the 🚡 Télécabine du Signal and then walked a loop up to the Col du Joly (rest) and then back past the Refuge de la Roselette (another rest) and then back to the bubble lift and back for another play and dip at 💦 Lac de l’Étape.

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Downhill Bike Trail « Les Clarines »

🚵‍♂️ « Les Clarines » is a downhill VTT (mountain bike) trail, which runs between mountain meadows and forest between the 🚡 Le Signal and l’Étape télécabines. 4 wooden fun zones are located along the trail, and there is a small fun zone located at the Foyères (near the 🚡 Télécabine du Montjoie) – all this makes it ideal for families.

length : 3200m;
altitude departure : 1875m;
altitude arrival : 1420m;

🗓 opening dates : July to September;

[ ⇒ see online leaflet for more details ]

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Lac de l’Etape in winter

The 🌈 playground and chill-out zone (as well as the restaurant) are normally open in winter – for a little break with little ones!

And the lake can look beautiful when in freezes!

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Also in the area . . . 

A visit to this small lake can also combine nicely with the activites on offer in the 🌈 Parc de Loisirs du Pontet . . .

. . . or a little overnight camp at the 🏕 campsite Camping le Pontet . . .

This would give you more time to enjoy the 🌈 Parc de Loisirs du Pontet, or to head off on a hike from ⛪️ Notre Dame de la Gorge up the old Roman road or up to 💦 Lacs  Jovet.

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Getting to 💦 Lac de l’Étape

You can either hike up to the 💦 Lac de l’Étape with older children (or take a 4×4 for non-walkers), or you can take the 🚡 Télécabine de la Gorge (opening hours).

parking : 🅿️ FREE car park at departure point of 🚡 Télécabine de la Gorge;