5 swimming spots near Strasbourg
Summer in Alsace usually means sweltering heat… And since there’s no ocean (that’s really the region’s only flaw… What do you mean, I’m not being objective? ;-) ), you have to find another way to cool off. Sure, there are swimming pools, but it’s not the same as swimming in a natural setting. Luckily, Alsace has lakes and gravel pits! Here are some great places to swim near Strasbourg.
Summary
- Swimming near Strasbourg—really?
- Where to swim in Strasbourg? The map
- 1. Reichstett lake
- 2. Lake Baggersee, Illkirch
- 3. Lac Achard (Hardt lake), Illkirch
- 4. Ballastière de Bischheim
- 5. Ottenhöfen natural pool (Germany)
- What You Need to Know About Swimming Near Strasbourg
- FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Swimming Near Strasbourg
The essentials at a glance
- 📍 Location: 4 bodies of water around Strasbourg + 1 natural swimming pool in the Black Forest
- 🆓 Cost: Free for the four French lakes; admission fee for Ottenhöfen (€6 for adults)
- 🏖️ Amenities: Showers, restrooms, and lifeguards on duty at all locations
- 📅 Season: Usually from July through the end of August (sometimes as early as mid-June)
- 🚗 Access: The four French lakes are less than a 30-minute drive from downtown Strasbourg; allow about 50 minutes to reach the natural swimming pool in Ottenhöfen in the Black Forest
Swimming near Strasbourg—really?
That’s right! Of course, you won’t be alone on a nice day ( these spots tend to be packed with people from Strasbourg), but swimming is still really enjoyable.
Personally, I love this little beach vibe in Alsace! Here are the four bodies of water closest to Strasbourg—all of which are free to access—as well as a natural swimming pool in the Black Forest. They’re generally open in the summer (and sometimes in the spring as well), and swimming is supervised. The water is quite pleasant when the outside temperature is high (these aren’t mountain lakes, after all!). All of them have showers and restrooms.
Where to swim in Strasbourg? The map
1. Reichstett lake
I liked
- Fairly open space with lawns
- Sand floor of the water area
- Large swimming corridor
I liked less
- Nothing!
The Neubiltz-Reichsett lake is my personal favorite. Despite the crowds, it still feels fairly open since it has large grassy areas (as I’m not a fan of sand, I particularly appreciate this) where you can play team sports or relax, as well as a large supervised swimming area with a very long swimming lane. The sand on the bottom of the lake is quite fine, so it doesn’t hurt your feet at all.
Good news: The beach was expanded and renovated in the spring of 2025, offering even more space to enjoy the sun. For sports enthusiasts, there are basketball and soccer courts, a volleyball court, and a ping-pong table available.
Practical information
Schedules
You will find here the bathing schedule at the Reichstett lake.
Access
By car
Go to the rue du Commerce in Reichstett and follow the signs. It takes 15 minutes from the center of Strasbourg.
By public transport
Quite difficult but you can look on Fluo. Otherwise, it’s a 30-minute bike ride from downtown Strasbourg.
Hungry?
If you are hungry, there is a refreshment stand on site.
2. Lake Baggersee, Illkirch
I liked
- Lawns and sand
- Sand floor of the water area
- Access by streetcar
I liked less
- Smaller supervised swimming area
Baggersee Lake is a must-see for Strasbourg residents. It’s located in Illkirch-Graffenstaden, a town adjacent to Strasbourg. It’s a popular spot that has the great advantage of being accessible by tram. It gets crowded, and there’s a bit less space than at Reichsett—both on the shore and in the supervised swimming area—but Baggersee is still a really nice place to visit!
The shores of the lake are made up of fairly fine sand and grass, so you have a choice. There is also a playground for children and, on the sandy area, soccer and volleyball courts.
Practical information
Schedules
Here you’ll find the swimming hours for Lake Baggersee.
Hungry?
If you are hungry, there is a restaurant on site.
3. Lac Achard (Hardt lake), Illkirch
I liked
- Large lawns
- Fairly fine sand
- Accessible to disabled persons (Handiplage label)
I liked less
- Proximity to the highway
You may have already seen the Achard lake (also called Hardt lake) while driving on the highway, since it is located not far from the exit “La Vigie”. I was a little afraid of this proximity to the highway when I went there but was finally pleasantly surprised. Of course, you can see the cars in the distance but their noise is quite low because it is masked by the noise of the children playing by the lake… A much more pleasant sound!
It’s not my favorite place but it’s still nice for a swim or even a lazy afternoon. With large lawns, the banks of Achard Lake have the great advantage of offering space. The beach area, with sand, is also of reasonable size. The supervised bathing area, however, is quite small. On the sports field side, there are volleyball, soccer and petanque courts.
Practical information
Schedules
You will find here the swimming schedule at Lake Achard.
Access
By car
Lake Achard, chemin des Ondines in Illkirch-Graffenstaden. It takes 30 minutes from the center of Strasbourg.
By public transport
It can be a pain, but you can look at Fluo by setting the stop November 23 in Ostwald as the arrival point. Otherwise, it’s a 25-minute bike ride from downtown Strasbourg.
4. Ballastière de Bischheim
I liked
- Nice place to swim
I liked less
- Little space
- Sand with small stones
The Bischheim gravel pit is another swimming spot near Strasbourg. It’s a nice place, though I like it a little less than the others because of its coarse sand (my feet start to hurt quickly!) and the lack of space.
It is very collected and one feels quickly one on top of the other. The bathing area, on the other hand, is quite large. In terms of sports facilities, there are basketball courts, volleyball courts and ping pong tables.
Practical information
Schedules
You will find here the bathing schedules of the ballastière of Bischheim.
Hungry?
If you are hungry, there is a refreshment stand on site.
5. Ottenhöfen natural pool (Germany)
I liked
- Beautiful natural pool
- Unheated water: refreshing!
- Pleasant lawns to settle on
I liked less
- Admission charge
A little further away, in neighboring Germany— just 50 minutes from Strasbourg—the Ottenhöfen Natural Swimming Pool (Naturerlebnisbad) is a truly magnificent place! Imagine a swimming spot nestled in the heart of the gentle Black Forest mountains, where the water is naturally treated without chlorine using biological processes involving plants and rocks. Great, isn’t it? Just a heads-up: the water isn’t heated, so it’s quite refreshing… But that’s exactly what feels good in the middle of summer, when sweltering heat descends on the region.
The Ottenhöfen swimming pool has two pools with diving boards and slides, plus a paddling pool for the little ones. You can sit on the large lawns surrounding the pools, which is pleasant and makes you feel like you’re on vacation for a day! But don’t expect an intimate atmosphere, as this is a popular spot for German and Alsatian families.
Practical information
Rates and schedules
€6 for adults, €3 for children ages 6 to 17. The pool opens in May and closes in September. You can find the opening days and hours for the Naturerlebnisbad in Ottenhöfen here.
Access
By car
Hasenwald 6 in 77883 Ottenhöfen in the Black Forest. It takes about 50 minutes from Strasbourg.
By public transport
It’s possible to come by train from Strasbourg with 1 or 2 changes: it’s not necessarily easy depending on the time of day, so check the DB website. The pool is then just a 10-minute walk from the station.
Hungry?
If you’re hungry, you can bring your own picnic. A range of snacks is also available at reasonable prices.
What You Need to Know About Swimming Near Strasbourg
- 🏆 The Reichstett lake remains my favorite because of its spaciousness and open, airy atmosphere
- 🚊 Baggersee is the most convenient option if you don’t have a car (direct tram access)
- ♿ Lake Achard is accessible to people with disabilities (Handiplage certification)
- 🌲 Looking for a more natural setting? Head to the natural pool in Ottenhöfen in the Black Forest
Looking for more ideas for swimming in Alsace? Check out my post on swimming at Lake Kruth-Wildenstein in the Vosges.
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Swimming Near Strasbourg
Where can you go swimming for free near Strasbourg?
The four bodies of water (Reichstett, Baggersee, Lac Achard, and Ballastière de Bischheim) are all free to access and are supervised during the summer.
What is the most accessible swimming spot by public transportation from Strasbourg?
The Baggersee in Illkirch, accessible directly by tram.
Can you go swimming near Strasbourg all year round?
No, these swimming areas are supervised only during the summer, generally from July through the end of August.
Are there any natural swimming spots near Strasbourg that are accessible to people with limited mobility?
Yes, Lake Achard in Illkirch has been awarded the Handiplage certification.
Is the water quality of the lakes around Strasbourg monitored?
Yes, the authorities conduct regular health inspections at all swimming areas.