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In 1820, the author Charles Nodier called this site Little Scotland because these still wild lakes look like region of Loch Mare. Surrounded by limestone cliffs, meadows or forests, each lake has its own colour, light and character.
At Panoramic viewpoint of 4 lakes (in La Chaux du Dombief), you can look at 4 lakes with a single glance: Ilay, Narlay, Grand and Petit Maclu.
Lake Ilay :
Situated : Le Frasnois
Origin : Glacier
Area : 72 ha
Length : 1900 m.
Width : 400 m.
Depth : Maximum 32 m. / Moyenne 10,3 m.
Altitude : 800 m.
The lake had different toponyms throughout centuries: Islatu or « La Motte ». This testifies of its specific characteristic: the presence of an island.
1st inhabitants of the island arrived in 4000 years’old before Christ. During Middle Age, different monasteries were installed on « La Motte »: Saint-Vincent, Saint-Martin and Saint-Brice. When the weather is clear, the lake's turquoise waters and the backdrop of the cliffs will surprise you.
Activities :
Bathing is allowed but not supervised. Fishing. Pic nic area. Hiking on foot or by Moutain Bike: tour of 4 lakes (12 km), peak of Aigle and viewpoint of 4 lakes (5 km).
Lake Narlay :
Situated : Le Frasnois
Origin :Rock subsistence
Area : 42 Ha
Length : 950 m.
Width : 625 m.
Depth : Maximum 40 m. / Moyenne 19,7 m.
Altitude : 800 m.
It is the deepest lake in Jura (48 m.). The legend says:
Once upon a time, existed a fairy who was dressed like a mendicant. In the middle of a cold winter, she lost her way and asked for hospitality in the village of Narlay. But the inhabitants refused to welcome her.
She was finally received by a brave farmer woman, who lived upon the hill above the village.
In the early morninglight, the fairy pronounced a terrible sentence and the village was drawned in the water of the lake.
A new village was build near the farm. Since then, every Christmaseve, right at midnight, you can hear the song of the cock gush out of the lake deeps…
Activities :
Bathing is allowed for residents of camping only (not supervised). Pic nic area. Hiking on foot or by Moutain Bike: tour of 4 lakes (12 km), Tour of Mount of Ifs (6 km).
Lake Grand Maclu:
Situated : Le Frasnois
Origin : Glacier
Area : 24 Ha
Length : 1120 m.
Width : 300 m.
Depth : maximum 24 m. / moyenne 12.8 m.
Altitude : 800 m.
Lake Petit Maclu :
Situated : Le Frasnois
Origin : Glacier
Area : 4.5 m.
Length : 500 m.
Width : 120 m.
Depth : maximum 11 m. / moyenne 4 m.
Altitude : 800 m.
Grand and Petit Maclu communicate with each other. The vegetation bordering the two Maclu lakes is organised in concentrically growing ‘belts’. Borders have rich ecological environment: you will find water-lilies, sedges, reeds, rushes, alders and willows. Take the path along the 2 lakes under the cliffs. You will almost walk on water!
Activities :
Private lakes. Pic nic area at Petit Maclu. Hiking on foot or by Moutain Bike: tour of 4 lakes (12 km).
Lake Bonlieu :
Situated : Bonlieu
Origin : Glacier
Area : 22 Ha
Length: 730 m.
Width : 300 m.
Depth : Maximum 15 m. / Moyenne 10 m.
Altitude : 780 m.
In 1170, Thibert de Montmorot founded the abbey « Chartreuse Notre-Dame de Bonlieu » next to the lake. The place was suitable for isolation and search of tranquillity. Set into the forest and dominated by a rocky, lake Bonlieu is one of the most beautiful sites in the Jura. Nice point of view from belvedere de la Ronde.
Activities :
Fishing (rental of small boats at restaurant « Au chalet » - 03 84 25 57 04). Pic nic area.
Hiking on foot: tour of lake (4 km), overlook of Ronde (15 km).
Lake Vernois :
Situated : Le Frasnois
Origin : Glacier
Area : 7 Ha
Altitude : 800 m.
Situated along the road between Le Frasnois and Chevrotaine, this small lake appears all of a sudden, coming out of nowhere, surrounded by the forest.
Activities :
No facilities on the lake. You can take photos or admire the cows using the lake as watering place!
Lake Fioget:
Situated : Chatelneuf
Altitude : 800 m.
Beautiful small and wild lake surrounded by forests on one side and by fields on the other side.
Activities :
Private lake.
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