Aerial; lac du der, 2013In 1974, after 10 years of gigantic construction work, Lac du Der was born in the heart of the Champagne region. The lake is first and foremost a reservoir designed to regulate water levels in the Marne River, which feeds the Seine. Indispensable for cushioning floods and feeding rivers during low-water periods, Lac du Der offers breathtaking scenery throughout the seasons.
Lac du Der is :
4,800 hectares
77 km of shoreline
36 km of bicycle paths
20.3 km of dikes
349 million m³ of water
21.1 km of canals…
Musee Village 2
Models Village MuseeThanks to a team of enthusiasts, and to preserve the memory of the past, the Village Musée du Der was created to enable you to learn all about the inhabitants, the villages and the astonishing history of its heritage.
From the school classroom to the Champaubert-aux-Bois church, not forgetting the village model, everything is there to take you back in time, before everything disappeared when the lake was filled in.
A projection will take you back in time to the events that marked this titanic project, which is still very much alive in people’s memories.
The impoundment of Lac du Der led to the disappearance of three villages: Chantecoq, Nuisement-aux-Bois and Champaubert-aux-Bois, of which only the church remains on the edge of its peninsula, and today offers one of the most beautiful panoramas of the lake.
Champaubert churchk.gray 
Champaubert Church Lacduder Sunsetk.gray Many of you will be amazed by the natural beauty of Lac du Der. Take a break along the cycle paths overlooking the lake or in the heart of a forest of three-hundred-year-old oaks to contemplate it.
When the Lac du Der fills up completely in spring, its colors take on a bluish hue, turning turquoise. The green of the trees bursts out into the open…
Take a refreshing ride through the forest on one of the many cycle paths, or succumb to the pleasures of the water from April onwards. In summer, your children will love the water temperature around the 6 sandy beaches.
Randonnee Dame Et Chevalier Lac Du Der
Giffaumont Beach
Promenade boat
Train Du DerA trip on a motorboat or an electric boat is a must. You don’t need a license to immerse yourself in the heart of Lac du Der.
Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Let the driver of the little tourist train guide you along the lake’s longest dike. From February to November, he’ll tell you all about the history of the lake, its flora and fauna, and the Champagne bocage.
Another highlight of Lac du Der is when the lake empties at the end of autumn and nature takes over the smallest corners covered by the waves in spring.
The spectacle begins at dawn, with tens of thousands of Common Cranes caressing the still-sleepy sky. Although the lake is man-made, it has been a great help to nature, with quiet zones reserved for the 300 species of bird that have been recorded to date.
Share these unforgettable moments with our expert birdwatchers, who accompany you all year round to spy on them.
Ash Cranes 3
Tomasson Ch crane
Antoine Cubaixo Ornithologist 4runners
Gerard Rolin Ornithologist 4runners
Portrait D Dautel C.manquillet“Before talking about roles, I’d like to mention passion. As far as I’m concerned, I was born at the gateway to the lake, long before the construction work, when the project was underway. As a child, I spent weeks of vacation in my grandparents’ country farmhouse, now under water.
Beyond the work itself, as a greeter, I do my utmost to help keep alive the memory of our elders, and endeavor to report on every stage of this vast project that has wiped out three villages and neutralized over 5,000 hectares in 12 communes, more than half the size of Paris.”
“The primary purpose of Lac du Der, its raison d’être, is to store 350 million m³ of water. Starting in Saint-Dizier, it regulates the course of the Marne, a tributary of the Seine and France’s largest river, reducing the effect of floods in Paris on the one hand, or conversely enabling boat traffic to be maintained during periods of low water. Following approval by the Paris authorities, a syndicate was set up to authorize leisure activities for tourism purposes. Today, many visitors take advantage of the “green” activities related to nature and the “blue” activities related to water, making Lac du Der the 2nd most popular destination in the Champagne region.”
“Yes, the wide range of activities on offer in this exceptional natural setting, with its many outings, most of which are free or at reduced cost, is a great attraction for many families.
As a greeter, I welcome all visitors and families throughout the year to talk about the reasons for and consequences of the construction of Lac du Der and its appeal to tourists.
You’ll need to make an appointment for a 1.5-hour outing. It’s FREE!”
Do you have a question about your outing with a Greeter?
Contact the Lac du Der en Champagne Tourist Office on 03.26.72.62.80 or by email at tourisme@lacduder.com
Greeters Lac Du Der Daniel Dautel 01 Christophe Manquillet 260112
