The mysterious Grandlieu lake is the oldest and largest natural lowland lake in France in winter. It has shaped the sceneries of neighbouring communes.
A unique natural wealth
Its shallow depth and the lush vegetation that surrounds the Lake of Grand Lieu, make it a unique ecosystem in Europe. Second ornithological reserve, after the Camargue, this nature reserve whose access is rigorously regulated, is endowed with the label of wetland of world interest.
The lake contains abundant flora : open water, wooded reedbeds, floating seagrass beds - made up of the most important white and yellow water lilies in France - and meadow marshes or floodplains exploited by farmers. They welcome the herds of Nantes cows, in summer.
Some figures about the lake
- Surface area : 3500 hectares in summer and 6500 to 7000 in winter
- Maximum depth : 3 meters
- 270 bird species
- 50 mammal species including otters
- 12 frog species including brown frogs
- 30 fish species including eels
- 550 plant species
650 hectares of the site are classified as regional nature reserve
They are under the control of the Loire-Atlantique hunting federation and the National Foundation for Habitat Conservation who monitor the lake ecosystem, count the birds and follow up species.
Places to visit around
Lac de Grand Lieu
