Diving the Hautecombe Abbey Wall

Site Overview

Hautecombe Abbey Wall is a wall and altitude dive site in Inland France, France, reached from the base town of Aix-les-Bains. The Hautecombe Abbey wall is a dramatic drop in Lake Bourget at 231 m altitude, beside the famous abbey. Whitefish, perch and trout patrol the wall in clear, cold water. The site reaches a maximum depth of 40 m with an average profile around 25 m and a shallow start near 8 m, which places it firmly in the advanced category and means divers should hold at least an Advanced Open Water certification. Conditions are typical of the French inland freshwater coast: visibility generally runs from 8 to 18 metres, the current is mild, and the water temperature ranges between 8 and 17 degrees Celsius with low surge exposure. The marine community is centred on European Perch, Common Whitefish, Brown Trout, Arctic Char, Common Roach, Common Rudd, and the full species list is detailed below for divers planning a trip. Hautecombe Abbey Wall is a strong representative of why Inland France diving is so highly regarded, blending the geology, history and biodiversity that define French underwater exploration. It pairs naturally with the other sites of the Inland France region for a varied holiday, and with the right thermal protection and, where relevant, the correct specialist training, it offers a memorable dive for photographers, naturalists and wreck or reef enthusiasts alike.