La Fare lake

Legend of the Lac de la Fare: There was a time when a fortified village was built on the site of the lake. Inhabited by mountain bandits. From their eagle's nest, they would come down to plunder all the valleys of Oisans and then go back home to share the booty in wild nights of orgies. They never went to church. However, the priest rang the Sunday bell. He was constantly abused and threatened by these terrible parishioners. The priest tried to evangelise them, but nothing... On Easter Day, the priest made a last effort, and shook the bell with his whole body. Never had a more joyful chime sounded over the mountain. Alas, it was covered by blasphemies and drinking songs! Suddenly the earth shook, the rocks opened up, and the village disappeared. When calm returned, a lake was mirrored in its place. It seemed as if it had always existed. Yet some evenings, the shepherds heard a clear sound rising from the water. They come closer, intrigued: when the wind dies down and the silver-tipped waves no longer break, they catch a glimpse of a small church in the shimmering water, its bell still ringing.