Brison-Saint-Innocent on Lac du Bourget

Brison-Saint-Innocent is on the right bank of Lac du Bourget. The lake provides a setting for lakeside paths, hikes and viewpoints at Ferme Gigot; the town also has local cultural heritage and seasonal beach activities. These different highlights can help you choose your destination: Would you like to walk along the shore, choose a route based on its distance and elevation gain, or learn about the area’s history? The following paths and places show what to expect in Brison-Saint-Innocent.

Lakeside path and seasonal closure

Created in 2012, the Sentier Fil de l’Eau is a two-kilometre nature trail along the shore of Lac du Bourget. It connects Mémard with Pointe de l’Ardre and crosses two piers on stilts: one 230 metres long and the other 107 metres long. The two piers are part of a route that is two kilometres long in total. Grand Lac announced that the path reopened on 3 August 2026. Every year, it is closed from 15 October to 15 March to provide a period of quiet during the birds’ breeding season. Take this closure into account when planning your visit.

Hikes: distance and elevation gain

The Du lac à la forêt de Corsuet hiking trail is 8.5 kilometres long, has about 150 metres of elevation gain, and passes through Brison-Saint-Innocent and Aix-les-Bains. Check local conditions before setting out. Another option is the five-kilometre trail to Grotte des Fées, with 370 metres of elevation gain. It is shorter than the route through the Corsuet forest but has more elevation gain. The hike to the cave takes about 2.5 hours for experienced hikers; allow about three hours with children. A lamp is recommended, and children enjoy the trail. So when choosing between the hikes, consider both the distance and the elevation gain.

Landscape and local history

Ferme Gigot, also known as Balcons de Brison, is a biological corridor of forests and meadows. It offers viewpoints over Lac du Bourget and the surrounding mountain ranges. The main building at Ferme Gigot has been abandoned and is not open to the public. The name of the historic Promenade du Gigot refers to an earlier connection between the lakeshore and the heights of Ferme Gigot: the promenade was created in 1784 for the visit of the Prince of Piedmont and his wife, Clotilde de France, and led uphill from the shore to these heights.

The Saint-Innocent Angora rabbit, a French Angora rabbit, is also part of local history: this breed originated in Brison-Saint-Innocent. Alongside the lake and its paths, it provides a specific agricultural connection and a historic local name that reflect the destination’s cultural side.

At the beach and Auberge de Brison

At Pointe de l’Ardre beach, you can rent pedal boats and canoes. Rentals may vary by season. The beach also has restrooms, showers and a large wooded park; facilities may be adjusted seasonally. When planning your visit, check which services are available at the time.

For a meal, Auberge de Brison is a specific option: guests can enjoy lake fish and fried small perch there. The menu and availability may change. This lets you plan around the lakeside activities, the different hiking routes and the cultural heritage as separate highlights.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Jean-De-Maurienne, Jarsy, Ugine, Méribel-Mottaret, Saint-Alban-Leysse, Queige, Pugny-Chatenod, Les Allues

For the broader travel overview: Savoie.