Base nautique du Mont Cenis

Val-Cenis, France, France

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Base nautique du Mont Cenis is Europe’s highest nautical base, located at 2,000 meters (about 6,560 feet) of altitude in Val-Cenis, France, on the edge of the stunning turquoise Lac du Mont Cenis.

The lake itself was created in the 1960s by a hydroelectric dam and is the sixth-largest man-made reservoir in France. The base offers rentals of pedal boats (pedalos) and kayaks, allowing visitors to explore the lake’s calm waters surrounded by grandiose peaks over 3,000 meters high, preserved alpine pastures, and historic French and Italian forts.

Pedalos are available from age 3 and kayaks from age 5, with children required to be accompanied by an adult, and there is a minimum age of 5 years for participation. The base operates seasonally from late June to early September, typically closed on Mondays and cancelled in bad weather, with rental prices around €12 per person for one hour or €20–€30 for two hours.