Malbuisson on Lac de Saint-Point

Malbuisson is a destination for travelers who want to combine a stay on Lac de Saint-Point with water-based and outdoor activities. Lac de Saint-Point is the third-largest natural lake in France. Around the lake, beach and water sports opportunities go hand in hand with walking trails; a guided lake cruise and Saint-Claude Church also add different dimensions to a stay. When choosing a hotel in Malbuisson, you can first consider whether your plans include more time by the water, longer excursions, or a seasonal activity. The differences lie in trail lengths, types of activity, and the time of year.

Beaches, water sports, and boat trips on the lake

Malbuisson’s beaches are very easy to reach from the town center. Plage des Landes is one of the town’s two largest beaches. There are four water sports centers around Lac de Saint-Point. They offer catamaran sailing, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking, and pedal boating. This provides various ways to spend time on the water; seasonal use of the centers may vary.

Bateaux du Lac Saint-Point offers one-hour guided cruises around the lake. A trip between the lake’s right and left shores is also available. The stated one-hour duration can be factored into your daily itinerary as a distinct block of time. Check the current schedule and booking arrangements before making plans.

Hikes of varying lengths

The trails differ in length and route. A 23-kilometer hiking trail for pedestrians runs around Lac de Saint-Point. The “En revenant par le fort” route is considerably shorter at six kilometers: in summer it is a hike, while in winter it is a marked snowshoe trail. Here, the season changes not only the conditions but also the intended activity.

Another hike covers 8.3 kilometers to Fort de Saint-Antoine and passes through the forests and meadows of the municipality of Malbuisson. On this outing, you can stop to discover the local Frutière, where Comté cheese is made. If you plan to stop, check access to the Frutière or its opening hours separately. When choosing a hike, you can first compare the distances and routes rather than treating the trails as equivalent outings.

Winter routes and snow conditions

For cross-country skiing, there is the 14-kilometer La Fuvelle trail. It is the largest cross-country ski trail in the area and is intended for experienced skiers. Its length and stated target group set it apart from the six-kilometer route used for snowshoeing in winter. This means there are two different winter activities to choose from, not two interchangeable descriptions of the same outing. The trail’s seasonal availability depends on snow conditions; winter conditions can also affect whether the snowshoe route is usable.

Saint-Claude Church on the lakeshore

Saint-Claude Church stands on the right shore of Lac de Saint-Point. The present-day church was rebuilt in 1932–1933 to plans by the architect Mognetti. For travelers interested in architectural history as well as outdoor activities, it is a distinct cultural and historical landmark in Malbuisson.

Discover more destinations: Buffard, Mamirolle, Chaux-Neuve, Mancenans, Émagny, Villars-Sous-Écot, La Cluse-et-Mijoux, Mouthe

For the main travel overview: Doubs.