Close to the ocean and the Loire river, the lake bextends in winter over an area of more than 6,000 hectares and then becomes the largest natural lake in the French plains.
This nature reserve is home to 270 species of birds, including the largest colony of gray herons, and hosts over 110,000 pairs of nesting birds each spring.
A real haven of peace
The Lake of Grand-Lieu is similar to the great African lakes by its extent and its shallow depth. It is a true haven of peace, a few kilometers from the Nantes area. Difficult to approach, the lake is revealed through several “windows”: the old fishing village of La Chevrolière in Passay, Pierre Aigüe in Saint-Aignan-de-Grand-Lieu or the Pavilion at the Maison du Lac de Grand-Lieu. To gain height, the bell tower of the Saint-Léobin church in Saint-Lumine-de-Coutais, rises to 40 meters.
See a panoramic view of the lake
On a tour
For a lake overflowing with riches, a guide may be in order.
Five sites offer a variety of approaches to discovering Grand-Lieu Lake and the surrounding area: the Abbatiale Déas in Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu, the Maison des Pêcheurs and the ornithological observatory in Passay, the Maison du Lac de Grand-Lieu in Bouaye, and the church bell tower in Saint-Lumine-de-Coutais. A Pass gives access to a discount on the visit sites after a first visit at full price. The Pass is available from tourist offices, visitor sites and tourism professionals close by the lake (accommodation providers, restaurateurs, leisure activity managers, etc.).
La Pierre Aigüe 44860 Saint-Aignan-Grandlieu
How to get there?
Naolib bus line 98, stop “Les Jahardières”
Free access all year round
The new Lac de Grand-Lieu Pass gives access to a discount on the 5 visit sites around Lac de Grand-Lieu (for a classic visit), after a first visit at full price.
The Pass is available from tourist offices, visitor sites and tourism professionals close to the lake (accommodation providers, restaurateurs, leisure activity managers, etc.).
The Pass is valid for one year from the first visit, for one or more people.
Fully accessible site for people with reduced mobility