Lake Monteynard: wind in the sails

A wide array of activities turns Lake Monteynard into a true festival of sails, with suspension bridges soaring over stunning landscapes. Here, the wind playfully stirs the ever-turquoise waters, creating a magical atmosphere. Between the Treffort and Mayres-Savel water sports centres, we hiked, sailed and we lived out our dreams amid this breathtaking setting.

It’s even better in the afternoon. As the thermal wind picks up at 1pm, enthusiasts hit the shimmering blue waters with sails soaring. On these late summer days, the lake buzzes with vibrant energy – kite surfers, windsurfers and foilers painting the landscape with their colourful manoeuvres.

Foiling? Well, it’s a thrilling new sport where athletes glide above the water on surfboards equipped with a long keel and lightweight wing, accelerating with grace and freedom.

The unique conditions of Lake Monteynard, cradled by forested mountains, have made it one of Europe’s prime wind spots. Known as the second windiest lake after Lake Garda in Italy, its dramatic north-south canyon means perfect conditions for wind sports, making it a haven for adventure seekers.

Activity of the moment

Foiling is an exciting new sport where you lift off from the surface of the lake using a surfboard equipped with a long keel and a lightweight wing to gain speed – and with it, a sense of freedom!

Wingfoil school

Lake Monteynard, initially flooded in 1962 by the EDF for hydroelectric purposes, was a place of reflection for about 20 years.

It rose to fame in the 1980s as a top destination for new sports such as windsurfing and other aerial activities.

Today, the Treffort water sports centre on the west bank offers a perfect spot for observing extreme sports or joining a local wingfoil school, making the lake a popular hub for adventure sports enthusiasts.

Sénépy as the backdrop

Treffort, along with Mayres-Savel across the lake, serves as the departure point for panoramic ferry rides. La Mira offers scenic cruises that showcase the diverse landscapes of Lake Monteynard.

For a picturesque hike, head to the southern half of the lake, starting at Treffort’s Les Vignes car park. The well-marked trail winds through fragrant pine undergrowth, rewarding hikers with stunning views of the lake and the distant Sénépy mountain range.

Thrills guaranteed

It takes a good six hours to make the 13 km hike from Treffort to Mayres-Savel. From Treffort up to the first Himalayan footbridge, you have two options: the wide, easy panoramic trail or the shaded path along the lake’s edge. To conserve energy, we chose the easier section. Along the way, well-placed stops feature picnic tables, toilets and drinking fountains. One stop is at the confluence of the lake and the Ebron stream, which originates from the Obiou massif and flows through the Trièves region. Here, the thrilling Himalayan-style footbridge is suspended 80 metres above the void. The bridge sways and wobbles, but it remains stable and secure, adding an exhilarating touch to the spectacular views of the natural surroundings.

From here, you can choose to return to the starting point, perhaps via a different route from the one you took on the way out. For those with more stamina, the adventure continues. After crossing the Ebron stream, the path winds its way to a flat area, leading to the Brion bridge on the RD34. This steel bridge, built in 1951 and supported by two pylons, features a single span. You can then retrace your steps to head for the second footbridge,

Full route map

2 Himalayan footbridges
220 m above the Drac
180 m above the Ébron

A touch of the calanque

This part of the route takes us away from the lake, crossing the Ébron state forest and leading into a pastoral landscape above the charming hamlet of Villarnet. At this point, we head north to discover a hidden pebble beach at the very end of the lake. From here, the view stretches out, offering a bird’s-eye perspective over almost the entire lake.

In the height of summer, this area takes on a magical, almost Mediterranean character. The chorus of cicadas among the pine trees, the bright blue water and the rocky terrain exposed by the deepening rivers combine to create an atmosphere reminiscent of a “calanque” – coastal inlet typical of the south of France.

Mayres-Savel water sports centre

The path ahead becomes more challenging: narrower, constantly going up and down, sometimes stony and even a little slippery, often strewn with thick exposed roots. On several occasions, we encountered determined, breathless mountain bikers on the trail. Reaching the Drac footbridge is clearly no small feat – it requires effort. But the reward is worth it, as the footbridge offers an intense experience, suspended high above the river that feeds into the lake. To the right, the water emerges from a narrow, mysterious gorge; to the left, it flows gently through a wooded landscape.

On the other side of the footbridge, a little over an hour’s walk brings you to the watersports centre and the sun-drenched beaches of Mayres-Savel. Catamarans, windsurfers, kayaks and paddleboards are available for hire, allowing you to extend your stay and explore the lake’s intricate network of waterways.

At this stage, you’re unlikely to want to walk all the way back. Fortunately, you’ve booked your return ticket on the La Mira boat, ensuring a quick journey back to the shores of Treffort.