Free
Parc des Dronières
Cruseilles
Free leisure complex with lake, deer park, shaded trails, playground, summer pool, tree-climbing and fitness trail in Cruseilles, Haute-Savoie.
Free · Open access
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.
At a glance
Type
Public leisure lake
Access
Free · Open
Best season
May – September
Parking
Free
Animals
Allowed
Stroller / Reduced mobility
Suitable
Town
Cruseilles
Wheelchair access
Partially accessible · Parc/Lac des Dronières : places réservées PMR devant les équipements principaux (piscine, tennis); tour du lac accessible poussette mais sol gravillonné/pente peu adapté au fauteuil manuel per OT Monts du Genevois
What is 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. The site is accessible from Cruseilles via the D27, free car park at the entrance. Shaded picnic area, children's playground and lakeside loop trail (~1 km) - a local leisure base popular with families from the Geneva foothills in summer.
Activities
What you can do here
Practical
Practical information
Address
Route des Dronières, 74350 Cruseilles View on map
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
Access
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.
Open in MapsPublic 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.
Open in MapsParking
Free
- Free · 397 m · Go →
Parking checked on 2026-06-15 · © les contributeurs d'OpenStreetMap sous licence ODbL
When to visit
When to visit
<p>The park is open year-round. Here are the key moments:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>May – August:</strong> pool open, family atmosphere, high season.</li>
<li><strong>March – November:</strong> fishing season (opens on the first Saturday of March).</li>
<li><strong>Summer:</strong> 13 July national holiday, Lac en fête, fishing contests.</li>
<li><strong>Autumn – winter:</strong> lake loop accessible, low attendance.</li>
</ul>
Events : 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.
Nearby
Where to eat, drink, stay
Photos
Gallery
Been there? Share your photos — we'll add them to this page with credit. Tag #loisirs74 or email photos@loisirs74.fr
FAQ
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
Sources & verification
- Commune de Cruseilles — Parc des Dronières
- Commune de Cruseilles — Travaux aire de loisirs bord du lac
- Communauté de communes du Pays de Cruseilles — Centre Nautique des Dronières Espace Bernard Pellarin
- Office de Tourisme Alter'Alpa — Site des Dronières
- Office de Tourisme Alter'Alpa — Tour du lac des Dronières
- Haute-Savoie Tourisme — Lac des Dronières
- Les Eaux Closes — Pêche au Lac des Dronières (association conventionnée)
Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.
Nearby
Nearby
Other places to explore in the area and in the same category
Free
Paid
Tactiq Aventure
Cruseilles
Tree-top adventure park at Cruseilles in the Dronières forest: 3 courses (Discovery / Junior / Vertige) from 90 cm, Tactiq Game escape forest, open April to Nov.
Free
Balcon du Léman Trail
Cruseilles
Ridge trail along the southern Salève between La Croisette and Cruseilles - 15 km of red-and-white waymarking, panoramic views over Lake Geneva, the Jura and Mont Blanc.
Free
Plage d'Albigny
Annecy
The largest free beach on Lake Annecy: 400 m of grass and sand, summer lifeguards, free showers and toilets. Albigny district, Annecy.
Free
Plage des Marquisats
Annecy
Free grassy beach on Lake Annecy's west shore, shaded, supervised in summer. 10 min walk from town center, accessible by bus, wheelchair accessible. Showers, snack bar.
Free
Plage de Menthon-Saint-Bernard
Menthon-Saint-Bernard
Large 12,000 m² grass beach on the edge of Lake Annecy, supervised in summer. Paddling pool, jetties, diving boards, snack bar. Paid July–August, free off-season.