Corbières Beach: family swimming on Lake Gruyère

A gently sloping lawn on the shore of Lake Gruyère

On the eastern shore of the lake, just below the village, Corbières Beach is the kind of place where you lay down your towel for the whole day. The ground slopes very gently towards the water, which changes everything when you come with children who cannot swim yet. Tall trees divide the lawn into sunny corners and squares of shade, and there is always room, even at the weekend. The local name, La Montagnetta, has stayed in the language of the villagers. Across the water, the hills of the Gruyère region are reflected in a calm lake: the setting is a good part of the charm.

What your children will discover

Here, the water takes no one by surprise. The entry is gradual, over a bottom that alternates between grass, gravel and a few pebbles: the youngest paddle while standing up as the older ones swim out. On the shore they find a playground for the drying-off moments, and plenty of stones to build dams with. The most curious spot the water birds along the bank and, at the end of the day, the fish that come up close to the edge.

What you do there and the atmosphere on site

You settle in, alternate between swims and breaks, and let the hours drift by. The atmosphere is very local and family-friendly: families from the village, grandparents, groups of friends around a fire. The tables and benches mean you can eat without putting everything on the ground, and the fire pits make the beach as much a barbecue spot as a swimming spot. In the evening, the low light on the lake is worth the trip on its own.

One thing to know before you come: Lake Gruyère is an artificial lake, created by the Rossens dam in 1948. Its level varies through the year and with the water releases, so the shore does not look quite the same in June, in August and in October. It also explains why the water warms up a little more slowly here than in the lowland lakes: the real swimming season usually starts around the end of June.

Before you go

• Recommended age: all ages, particularly suited to little ones thanks to the gradual entry into the water
• Duration: half a day or a full day
• Price: free, open access
• Pushchair accessibility: grassy, gently sloping ground, passable but not smooth
• Transport: by car, parking nearby
• What to bring: barbecue supplies, sun cream, water shoes for the pebbly areas
• Best season: from late June to late August, when the lake water is at its most pleasant

Tips from parents

• Arrive early on hot days: the shady spots under the tall trees go quickly.
• Bring water shoes: the bottom is not grassy everywhere and the pebbles can hurt.
• Bring everything you need for the barbecue, there is no shop at the beach.
• Swimming is not supervised: keep children in sight, even in the shallow area.
• Take your rubbish home and put the fires out completely, this is a municipal beach looked after by the village.

Useful information

• Address: Chemin de la Montagnetta, 1647 Corbières (Villarvolard shore)
• Official website: https://www.corbieres.ch/
• Opening hours: open access all year, swimming season in summer
• Access (transport): by car from Bulle or Fribourg; public transport connections to be checked on cff.ch

Why we recommend it

Because it brings together everything you look for in a family swimming day without spending a franc: a reassuring entry into the water, shade, a playground for the moments out of the lake, fire pits for the meal and no entrance fee. It is also one of the few beaches on Lake Gruyère to combine so many facilities with free access.

In a nutshell

A free municipal beach on Lake Gruyère, with a gently sloping lawn, a playground and barbecues: the safe bet for families in the region.