Huttopia

It only takes a few minutes to understand why Huttopia chose to settle on the shores of Lake Aiguebelette, at Lepin-Le-Lac.

Surrounded by mountains and forests, the Domaine du Lac enjoys a privileged location with direct access to a small beach and the turquoise waters of the lake. An ideal setting for families as well as nature lovers.

From the moment you arrive, you’ll notice that cars stay at the entrance of the domain. A large parking lot allows you to park your vehicle before reaching your accommodation on foot.

Have you come equipped with a paddleboard, an inflatable kayak… and your many suitcases? Fear not, small wheeled carts are provided to easily transport luggage and gear to the accommodations.

A choice that immediately reinforces the sense of calm. Children move about in complete safety and the absence of cars contributes fully to the peaceful atmosphere of the site.

The Domaine du Lac offers several categories of accommodations: the famous Huttopia Toile & Bois tents and wooden chalets (two categories available: Toronto Plus 35 m² and Acadia Plus 27 m²).

New hotel lodges (air-conditioned) also complete the offering, not to mention the 13 air-conditioned rooms of the Maison Ronde, the domain’s new 3-star hotel.

We stayed in a family Toile & Bois tent that can accommodate up to five people. It offers real comfort: two bedrooms, consisting of two double beds, one of which has an additional bunk bed, allowing a whole family to stay. The chalets offer the same capacity. The bedding proved comfortable and the nights remained pleasant despite the high heat of our stay.

The living area includes a kitchenette with refrigerator, sink, crockery, and everything you need to cook. A table allows dining indoors, while outside a large wooden terrace hosts a second table, a garden lounge, as well as a plancha and the cooking area.

Their size allows full enjoyment of outdoor life throughout the day. The furniture, made in France, blends perfectly with the natural spirit of the domain.

The only small drawback: there is no wardrobe for clothes. Only a large lockable chest allows storing bags, clothes, and items you want to shield: think tablets or other computers. Because obviously, the tents cannot be locked.

Electrical outlets are not in short supply, several portable lamps can be distributed inside the tent or outside, and an extension cord and multi-outlet are even provided, a practical detail.

Breakfast in the shade on this lakeside terrace (for those with the view) allows you to start the day in complete serenity. Obviously, in a canvas tent, you might be woken a bit early by neighboring children, eager to greet the ducks that take advantage of the calm to come near the small beach.

From around 10 a.m., it gradually fills up until the end of the afternoon. Some even take the opportunity to have lunch on the grass in the shade of the tall trees.

Our stay took place during a heatwave. Daytime temperatures easily exceeded 35°C, and, as with any canvas accommodation, it became difficult to stay indoors during the hottest hours.

Our tent was equipped with a ceiling fan, a first for the brand, complemented by two portable fans. A welcome initiative that significantly improves comfort, even if, during the peaks of heat, the best refuge remains the shade of the numerous trees that blanket the domain… or the refreshing waters of the lake located just a few meters away.

Not all tents offer the same equipment. Some tents do not have private bathrooms or toilets and use the communal facilities. It is therefore advisable to choose your accommodation carefully at the time of booking. On the other hand, some border directly on the lake! You will practically have your feet in the water. And that is a real plus!

Philippe Bossanne, president and co-founder of Huttopia, reminded during the inauguration that Huttopia’s philosophy remains to prioritize the outdoors over generalized air conditioning.

Nevertheless, by developing these hotel lodges on the site, Huttopia now offers the possibility of an air-conditioned accommodation.

Impossible de manquer la Maison Ronde. Entièrement rénové, cet ancien hôtel accueille aujourd’hui la réception du domaine ainsi qu’un hôtel 3 étoiles de 13 chambres climatisées.

C’est également le véritable lieu de vie du site. Les vacanciers viennent y récupérer les clés de leur hébergement, demander des conseils sur les activités à découvrir autour du lac ou simplement profiter d’un moment de détente. C’est ici aussi que les vacanciers peuvent commander pains et viennoiseries pour le petit-déjeuner du lendemain.

L’intérieur est particulièrement réussi. De grands espaces offrent une vue panoramique sur le lac d’Aiguebelette. On peut s’y installer pour boire un café, lire, jouer au baby-foot ou partager quelques jeux de société. Une petite épicerie de dépannage permet également d’acheter quelques produits locaux ou les indispensables du quotidien sans quitter le domaine.

À l’extérieur, le jardin, les fauteuils relax en bois et les pontons invitent à la contemplation.

Several facilities are freely accessible during the stay.

Children enjoy a shaded play area while the more athletic guests have a football pitch, a volleyball court, a pétanque court, a ping-pong table, foosball, and a dedicated space for cornhole, this skill game from North America.

But the true star remains, of course, Lake Aiguebelette. Thanks to its direct access, it’s impossible to resist a swim after a day of hiking or simply to cool off during hot spells.

Kayaks can be rented directly on site. But many visitors arrived with their own paddleboards. Access to the lake is a real plus, knowing that the beaches around Lake Aiguebelette are not free.

During our stay, many families with children were able to enjoy swimming on the grassy beach. Just a couple of steps, and your feet are in the water.