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Plan d’Eau Macot La Plagne: Easy lake day with kids (full 2026 guide)
Plan d’Eau Macot La Plagne: Easy Lake Day with Kids
If you’re planning a summer holiday in La Plagne, the Plan d’Eau in Macot is a must-visit. While many people come to La Plagne for winter sports, the summer months offer a different kind of adventure. For families, the Plan d’Eau is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a day filled with activities.
We spend a huge amount of our time here with our kids, currently 2, 5 and 7. It’s only 25 minutes from the La Plagne altitude villages, so nice and easy to get to. Plus it’s totally free, so it’s a low-pressure, but fun day trip from La Plagne.
Where is Plan d’eau Macot?
The Plan d’eau is located in Macot-la-Plagne, down in the valley below the La Plagne resorts.
It’s roughly:
- 10–15 minutes drive from Plagne Centre / Plagne 1800
- around 5 minutes from Aime
- also 5 minutes from Bourg-Saint-Maurice
You can find it here on Google Maps.
It’s very easy to access and well signposted once you’re down in the valley.
How to get to Plan d’eau Macot from La Plagne
Getting here is really straightforward, which is one of the reasons we come so often.
From the La Plagne altitude villages, you simply drive down into the valley towards Aime. From there, it’s just a short drive to where the lake is located.
You can either access from the La Plagne side of the valley, following the small turning about 100m after the roundabout as you drive down from La Plagne towards Sangot. Or you can cross over to the other side of the valley – a longer drive, but with easier access to the Plan d'Eau and better parking.
You don’t need to worry about a long walk once you arrive, which is always a win with kids. On the La Plagne side access, you do need to cross the train tracks, making it more complicated if you have bikes or lots to carry. The access from the opposite side of the valley is more open, over a large wooden bridge that crosses the Isère river, but it's much more wheelchair and pushchair-friendly.
We usually just jump in the car and head down without much planning, which is exactly why this works so well as an easy day out.
What is a Plan d’Eau?
When we first moved to live in La Plagne year-round, I didn’t even know this lake existed! But they’re a common feature in lots of French villages. Basically, a **Plan d’Eau** is a man-made or natural body of water designed for recreational use. Think of it as a local lake or pond where you can swim, kayak, and enjoy various water-based activities. In our area of France, these spots are popular summer destinations, providing a refreshing break from the mountain heat. They are typically very well-maintained and equipped with facilities that make them ideal for families.
What is Plan d’eau Macot like?
The lake itself has a really relaxed, family-friendly feel. It's not massive, probably about 1 km around it. You can see all sides of the lake from wherever you are sat.
There’s a small sandy beach area on one side and this is where the main lifeguard station is. Around the rest of the lake it's grass, and quite comfortable to sit on. Some areas ahave steeper inclines int othe water and so aren't as busy with people sat here. There is plenty of space to spread out.
The lake is surrounded by mountains, but down at the valley level, it feels much more like a classic summer lake day than a mountain activity. On one side is also the train line, and my boys used to love waving to the trains as they zipped past.
You’ll find a mix of locals and visitors here, especially in peak summer. But it never feels overly formal or structured.
Why they’re great for families
Plan d’Eau locations are designed with families in mind. They offer safe, supervised swimming areas, plenty of space for picnics, and a variety of activities that cater to all ages. They’re accessible, well-equipped, and provide a great balance between relaxation and adventure. For parents, it’s a stress-free environment where kids can play freely and safely.
Activities at the Macot Plan d’Eau
Here’s a rundown of what you can expect at the Plan d’Eau in Macot La Plagne:
– Swimming and Water Sports: The lake is open for swimming and non-electric water sports. It's a fantastic way to cool off on a hot day. There is a small man-made beach section, and this is where the lifeguards are based. It’s also nice and shallow, ideal for smaller toddlers and kids. There’s a small Rocky island in the middle of the lake which is great to swim to and you'll always see older kids diving and somersaulting off the rocks here.
Typically, we base ourselves at the man-made beach as the kids can play for hours here. It's conveniently close to the bar and restaurant. However, it is busy here, so we have friends who prefer to base themselves near the playground or on the quieter far side of the lake.
–Kayaking: You can rent kayaks for a small fee. It’s a fun way to explore the lake from a different perspective. We haven’t done this as a family (mainly because I hate kayaking!) but the kids have done this with friends and loved it.
Paddle boarding: There are SUP boards for rental in peak season, or you can take your own. There are always people doing both. We got this Fanatic Fly Air 10.8 for last summer and it's been excellent for all of our family to take out and have fun with.
– Zorbing: For a unique experience, try zorbing on the water. This paid activity is a hit with kids and adults alike. My boys enjoyed this the first time they did it but haven’t done it since.
– Water Fountains: New in summer 2022, all the kids love the free water fountains, perfect for a bit of splashy fun. It’s a real hit for some smaller children. Plus, they’ve built some seats and benches around the edges so parents can relax whilst supervising.
– Bungee Trampolines: A paid activity that my kids adore. We usually end our day here, with them bouncing away happily. It’s 6€ for 10 minutes and very popular so you might end up queuing up for this one.
– Tree Top Adventure: This “go ape” style activity is another paid option, offering a thrilling treetop course. My youngest boy had his birthday party here last summer which was a huge success. There are courses for younger and older kids with zip lines that also cross the small river. Always popular!
– Playground: The large playground is free and a favorite spot for younger children. Be warned, the slides are made of metal and plastic which heat up fast in summer. We have lots of friends who like to base themselves here as the seating spots are quite shaded and near some of the BBQ pits.
– Outdoor Fitness Gym: For fitness enthusiasts, there’s a free outdoor gym. I have never used this! But friends that have said it’s great.
– Basketball Court: Shoot some hoops at the free basketball court. It is always popular with older kids.
– Cycle Path: The cycle path runs all the way to Bourg St Maurice, perfect for a family bike ride. This is really popular for cyclists, runners, skateboarders and bladers.
Andf you’re planning a wider trip, you can find more ideas in my guide to the best things to do in La Plagne in summer, including day trips and local favourites.
Watching the White Water Rafters
One of the great things about the Plan d’Eau in Macot is its that it’s right next to the river Isère. There’s lots of water sports on the river. Last summer they had the French kayaking championships on the river here.
The plan d'eau is a great spot to watch the white water rafters shoot past. Especially as the starting point is just upriver from the lake. It’s fun to watch, especially if you have friends or family doing it.
Food and Drink Options
When it comes to food, you have several options:
– Restaurant: There’s a restaurant with a small but good menu. If you want a seated table, it’s best to book ahead. The prices are reasonable, and they also offer takeaway options like chips, drinks, and ice creams. The ice cream menu includes ice lollies, wrapped ice creams, and scooped ice cream, all reasonably priced.
Towards the end of our day at the lake, we typically treat ourselves to ice creams and drinks from the restaurant. It’s the perfect way to wrap up a fun-filled day.
– Picnics: We almost always bring a picnic with a cool bag packed full of goodies. There’s a water fountain by the toilets leading to the car park where you can refill bottles. The whole space is perfect for laying out a blanket and enjoying a meal outdoors. And it's very much welcomed for you to picnic here.
– BBQs: There are several public BBQ pits. They’re excellent but very popular. It’s quite common to share a grill with another group. Remember, it’s first come, first served.
For your BBQ supplies, you can buy food at the E Leclerc supermarket in Aimé (check out my post about supermarkets) and don’t forget to get charcoal and fire lighters.
What to bring for a day at the lake
We’ve learned this the hard way! Although we keep our plans pretty casual, a bit of prep makes a big difference. Especially with 3 kids!
We usually bring:
- picnic and plenty of snacks. You can also eat at the restaurant – more on this below.
- drinks (although you can refill water there). We bring a huge water bottle and top it up throughout the day
- towels and swimwear
- sun cream and hats
- bikes or scooters for the cycle path
- water and beach toys. We have a bag of random buckets, spades etc and the paddleboard for the water.
- something for shade if it’s a really hot day. There aren't huge amounts of shade, and the bits that are there are popular!
If you’re planning to use the BBQs, don’t forget charcoal and fire lighters.
When to go (and how busy it gets)
In peak summer, so between bid July and August, this is a really popular spot, especially at weekends.
If you want it a bit quieter:
- go earlier in the day
- or aim for weekdays
We often go midweek and arrive early morning to choose our spot. We'll hang out until late afternoon and head back up to La Plagne around 5 pm.
How much does it cost?
One of the best things about the Plan d’eau is that it’s free to access. It totally takes the pressure off of planning a “perfect day” with the kids.
You only pay for:
- optional activities (kayaks, trampolines, etc.)
- food or drinks if you buy them
Which makes it a really good low-cost day out. Especially compared to some of the bigger mountain activities.
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Things to know before you go
- It’s a relaxed, informal setup, not a structured “activity centre”
- The main beach area gets busy in summer
- Some areas have limited shade
- The playground equipment can get very hot in the sun
- BBQ spots are first come, first served
Why we love it (and why it works so well with kids)
We spend a huge amount of time here in summer, and it’s one of those places that just works every time.
The biggest reason is how easy it is:
- no booking
- no real planning
- no expense
- no pressure to “make the most of it”
The kids can swim, play, run around, have snacks, go back in the water… and repeat for hours.
It also works across ages. With a 2, 7 and 9 year old, it’s one of the few places where everyone is happy at the same time.
