Free access · Year-round
Dronières Lake in Cruseilles, Haute-Savoie

Dronières Lake

A lake at 790 m altitude at the heart of the Parc des Dronières, 400 m from the centre of Cruseilles. A 2 km lake loop, an animal park, fishing, a tree-top adventure course, an adjacent public pool. Swimming in the lake is not allowed.

TypePublic leisure lake
AccessFree · Open
CommuneCruseilles
ParkingFree
DogsAllowed
StrollerSuitable
Best seasonMay – September

About Dronières Lake

The Dronières Lake (Lac des Dronières) is a body of water at 790 m altitude within the Parc des Dronières, 400 m from the centre of Cruseilles, between Annecy and Geneva. The site is public and access is free, year-round.

Around the lake lies a full leisure hub: a 2 km walking loop, an animal park, a fitness trail, a tree-top adventure course, tennis courts, a separate public pool (Espace Bernard Pellarin, run by the Communauté de communes), and a new lakeside leisure area with pétanque, multisport pitch, 3×3 basketball and playgrounds being delivered through 2025 and 2026. Swimming is not allowed in the lake itself; it takes place in the adjacent pool.

What you can do there

Walk the lake loop

2 km loop, about 30 minutes on foot, starting from the tennis car park. Stabilised path, suitable for strollers.

Fish in the lake

The lake is classified as a closed water and managed by the association Les Eaux Closes. A specific permit is required (€13/day, €80/year in 2025). The French federal FNPF card is not valid here.

Visit the animal park

Open enclosure with fallow deer, red deer and mouflons. Feeding the animals is forbidden.

Fitness trail

2.5 km in the adjacent communal forest, free access, with fitness stations.

Tree-top adventure TactiQ

Adventure course in the trees: more than 70 activities, zip lines, monkey bridges, slides. Private operator, opening hours and prices on site.

Swim at the pool

May – August

The Espace Bernard Pellarin aquatic centre, run by the CCPC, is separate from the lake. 84 m pool, paddling pool, sun deck, inflatable course. 2026 season: 18 May – 30 August. Adult fee €6.50.

Permanent orienteering course

Maps downloadable from the municipality's website. Suitable for introducing children.

Picnic

Open-access tables, some covered. Ground barbecues are forbidden; raised barbecues tolerated away from wooded areas and the adventure course.

New leisure area

Delivery 2026

Two additional pétanque pitches, a multisport pitch, a 3×3 basketball court, an event meadow, two playgrounds. Works started July 2025.

Practical info

Address
Route des Dronières, 74350 Cruseilles
Coordinates
46.0403° N, 6.1218° E
Altitude
790 m
Opening hours
Park accessible year-round, every day
Price
Free (except fishing: permit Les Eaux Closes; tree-top and pool: paid)
Parking
Free: tennis car park and pool car park
Swimming in the lake
Not allowed
Pool
Espace Bernard Pellarin aquatic centre, paid, mid-May to end of August
Animals
Allowed on the park and lake loop
Accessibility
Lake loop accessible to strollers; pool equipped for reduced mobility
Public toilets
Yes, on site
Catering
Le Santo Cruseilles snack at the aquatic centre, in season

How to get there

By car

Cruseilles lies on the RD1201 between Annecy (~22 km south) and Geneva (~20 km north). From the town centre, take the Route des Dronières for 400 m. Two free car parks: tennis car park (start of the lake loop) and pool car park.

By public transport

Line 272 Alpbus / tpg / Cars Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (Annecy ↔ Cruseilles ↔ Geneva Airport), 21 return trips per day. Nearest stop: Cruseilles – Chef-Lieu, then about 1 km on foot along the Route des Dronières. Single adult fare €4.30.

When to visit

The park is open year-round. Here are the key moments:

  • May – August: pool open, family atmosphere, high season.
  • March – November: fishing season (opens on the first Saturday of March).
  • Summer: 13 July national holiday, Lac en fête, fishing contests.
  • Autumn – winter: lake loop accessible, low attendance.

The lake hosts the 13 July national holiday with fireworks, Lac en fête organised by the CCPC, and several fishing contests and events run by Les Eaux Closes. Detailed calendar on the municipality's and CCPC's websites.

Where to eat, drink, stay nearby

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Photos of Dronières Lake

Lac des Dronières à Cruseilles au début du printemps (mars 2022).JPG
📷 Florian Pépellin · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Petit amphibien nageant dans le lac des Dronières (mars 2022).JPG
📷 Florian Pépellin · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Lac des Dronières gelé @ Parc de Loisirs des Dronières @ Cruseilles (50968980991).jpg
📷 Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
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Frequently asked questions

Can you swim in the Dronières Lake?
No. Swimming is not allowed in the Dronières Lake. Swimming takes place in the adjacent Espace Bernard Pellarin aquatic centre, a separate, paid and seasonal facility run by the Communauté de communes du Pays de Cruseilles.
Is access to the Dronières Lake paid?
No. Access to the Dronières Lake and Parc des Dronières is free and open year-round. Only a few activities are paid: fishing (permit required), the TactiQ tree-top course, and the adjacent pool.
Can I bring my dog to the Dronières Lake?
Yes. Animals are allowed at the Parc des Dronières and on the Dronières Lake loop. Follow standard rules: leash recommended, clean up after your dog, and keep clear of the pool area in season.
Is there parking at the Dronières Lake?
Yes, the Dronières Lake has two free car parks: the tennis car park (start of the lake loop) and the pool car park. Coach parking is also available.
Do I need a permit to fish at the Dronières Lake?
Yes. The Dronières Lake is classified as a closed water and managed by the association Les Eaux Closes. A specific permit is required (€13/day, €80/year in 2025). The French federal FNPF / AAPPMA card is not valid here. Permits are sold at La Fleuristerie and Gamm Vert in Cruseilles, or online via HelloAsso.
What fish species can be caught at the Dronières Lake?
At the Dronières Lake you can catch carp, roach, rudd, tench, zander, pike, perch and trout. Les Eaux Closes regularly stocks the lake with trout.
How long is the Dronières Lake loop?
The Dronières Lake loop is 2 km long, about 30 minutes on foot. The path is stabilised, accessible to strollers, and starts from the tennis car park.
Is the Dronières Lake accessible for people with reduced mobility?
The Dronières Lake loop is accessible to strollers thanks to its stabilised path. The adjacent aquatic centre is equipped for people with reduced mobility.
What is there for children at the Dronières Lake?
The Parc des Dronières surrounding the Dronières Lake offers an animal park with fallow deer, red deer and mouflons (feeding not allowed), the TactiQ tree-top adventure course, a 2.5 km fitness trail, a permanent orienteering course, and new playgrounds delivered in 2026.
How do I get to the Dronières Lake by bus from Annecy or Geneva?
Line 272 Alpbus / tpg / Cars Région serves Cruseilles from Annecy and Geneva Airport, with 21 return trips per day. The closest stop to the Dronières Lake is Cruseilles – Chef-Lieu, followed by about 1 km on foot along the Route des Dronières.
Sources

Cross-checked across multiple sources at publication date. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before a specific visit.

Published 23 avril 2026 · Last updated 23 avril 2026 · Report outdated info