Bourdeau on Lac du Bourget

Bourdeau lies on the western shore of Lac du Bourget and is the last village before the lake’s wild shoreline. The Dent du Chat rises above the village to an altitude of 1,309 metres. The lakeshore, mountain and historic buildings define different aspects of the village.

Lakeside and orientation

The small Port de Bourdeau is accessible only on foot. The Grotte de Lamartine is also located within the municipality: it lies on the shore of Lac du Bourget, at the foot of the Épine. The lakeshore, Épine and municipal boundaries are therefore clear reference points for its location. There is no lakeside road between Hautecombe Abbey and Bourdeau; the route instead runs along the ridge. If you are planning this journey, do not treat it as a lakeside route, and check route conditions before setting out.

Dent du Chat and cycling loop

Dent du Chat is a summit above Lac du Bourget with panoramic views. Depending on your ability, it can be reached from Relais du Mont du Chat, Col du Chat or Le Bourget-du-Lac. These three starting points offer options; take your own ability into account when choosing. Check route conditions before setting out.

The Tour du lac du Bourget cycling loop runs along the D14 to Bourdeau, then continues along the RD 914 and climbs to Col du Chat. It therefore describes a road route through Bourdeau followed by the climb, while the information about Dent du Chat names several possible starting points for reaching the summit. Check road and weather conditions before starting the cycling loop.

Château and Église de Bourdeau

The history of Château de Bourdeau is documented from 1263. During its restoration, the crenellations, machicolations and turrets were restored; the château is surrounded by an English garden. The key restriction for planning a visit is that the château is privately owned and cannot be visited.

Église de Bourdeau stands in the middle of the cemetery and offers a beautiful view of the lake. Its choir appears to date from the early 15th century. The church is dedicated to Saint Vincent of Saragossa, the patron saint of winegrowers. Its location, the cautious dating of its choir and its dedication offer different insights into this building.

Hamlets and local traces

Each hamlet in Bourdeau has a fountain, thanks to the numerous streams. The fountains are therefore not concentrated in a single part of the village, but are part of the landscape across its various hamlets.

A surviving section of a Roman road beside the village is known as the Chemin des Romains. This section can be walked near the entrance to the Chat Tunnel; it is poorly surfaced. Take this specific information about the path’s condition into account when planning.

Discover more destinations: Cruet, Hauteluce, Albens, Mouxy, Montmélian, Seez, Aime, Aiguebelette-Le-Lac

For the broader travel overview: Savoie.