Le Lac de la Cour, Chinaillon

In the meadows above us in Chinaillon there are a couple of man-made lakes which store the water which is used, in the winter, to make artificial snow. However in the summer one of the lakes is put to good use for recreation, fishing and sailing. And for La Fête du Lac – a Lake Festival in the Aravis.

Although you can walk up to the lake it is fun to take the chair lift.

Keen mountain bikers take their bicycles with them on the chair lift and use the special bike tracks.

As with skiing there is a blue run and the gentler green track – however watch out for cows!

The short walk down to the lake.

As with many of the events in Le Grand Bornand there are welcoming smiles and an aperitif.

People started to arrive and make themselves comfortable around the lake.

There was a joyful bonus with music by the Flutes du Soleil, a group of flautists from the UK who have visited Chinaillon for a week in summer for the last few years to study, relax and share their talent.

Time for a glass of wine,  a beer or a soft drink.

There was a short queue to get our food.

Local fare served seriously.

Trays are provided.

Time to dine and raise a glass to a lovely evening.

Time to enjoy the lake and its reflections.

Time to paddle.

Even time for a game of cards.

As dusk started to fall lily candles floated on the lake.

A chance to buy a marshmallow kebab and a Génépi, the local digestif.

Toasting the marshmallows on braziers.

Towards the end of the evening sky lanterns were lit to send wishes of hope and friendship.

All too soon the evening Lake Festival in the Aravis was over and torches were lit for the walk back down to the village.

This was the first of two Fêtes du Lac organised by the shopkeepers of Chinaillon who worked hard a lovely and special evening in their lovely part of the world. Merci beaucoup!

The second Fête du Lac will be on Tuesday August 9th and I look forward to visiting again with my family, who will be staying in Chinaillon that week.