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Pierre à Bise

3.9 — based on 17 community signals
4.3 12 species 35 contributors

Pierre à Bise is a year-round French dive site featuring the Tunnel de Brison, a notable underwater passage with recorded marine life.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Shore entryPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round

Map

This spot Airport Nearby spots
Pierre à Bise location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
4.4 kn
Wave
m
Water
—°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: NNE (47%)
Now: NE (52°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0m
+0.0 m0 m+0.0 m
Now +0.0m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV5.25 · mod Air PM2.55 · good 07:19 19:40
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 4.6 5 0mm
09-20 4.5 5 0mm
09-21 8.9 5 0mm
09-22 8.8 5 0mm
09-23 5.5 5 0mm
09-24 8.8 4 0mm
09-25 2.6 5 0mm

About this spot

Pierre à Bise, also known as the Tunnel de Brison, is a distinctive dive site in France accessible year-round. The site is named for its signature underwater tunnel formation, which draws divers seeking a more structured, feature-rich dive environment. With 12 recorded species observations documented by the diving community, the site supports healthy marine life and offers visitors the chance to observe a variety of fish and invertebrates. The dive is supported by a modest but active community presence, with 3 available video records showing real conditions and navigation through the tunnel system. These resources help newer divers prepare for the site's layout and understand what to expect underwater. The tunnel itself provides visual interest and natural navigation cues, making it a useful reference point during your dive. Because Pierre à Bise sits outside any marine protected area, the site follows standard French diving regulations. The location is suited for divers who want to explore a clearly defined geological feature without the stricter access rules that sometimes apply to protected zones. The year-round access window means you can plan your dive trip around other travel preferences rather than tight seasonal windows.

📖 Guide: Diving in France: 220 Sites From Alpine Lakes to Tropical Reefs

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Dive types

CaveShore

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type C/E/F · 230V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 48%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 786km · ~181kg · €3

FAQ

Can I dive Pierre à Bise year-round?

Yes. Pierre à Bise is accessible throughout the year, so you can plan your dive trip based on other travel factors or personal schedule rather than seasonal closures.

What marine life will I see?

The site has 12 recorded species observations. Community videos document real sightings, so watch those recordings to see what divers typically encounter before your visit.

What is the Tunnel de Brison?

The Tunnel de Brison is the signature feature of Pierre à Bise—an underwater tunnel formation that provides natural navigation and visual interest during your dive.

Do I need special permits to dive here?

Pierre à Bise is not inside a marine protected area, so it follows standard French diving regulations. Check local dive shops for any current requirements or briefing recommendations.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Lac du Bourget De Pierre à Bise à Challière 68 m 08 Juillet 2017

guillaume brizard

Aix les Bains, Pierre à Bise, 90m, CCR AP Diving

Pascal Romanens

plongee pierre a bise lac du bourget.wmv

Deep CCR Tartiflette Team

Local knowledge

OpenStreetMap Notes
  • "Aménagement cyclable non repertorié Nouvelle voie verte (ouverture en mars 2026) Photo·s et/ou informations disponibles ici: https://amenagements-cyclables.fr/fr/contributions/113590 (This note has been created from Geovelo)"

    Geovelo_Notes · 2026-02-03
  • "Forwarding anonymous report from #mapycom user, please verify: Sentier pour descendre: panneaux indiquant "propriété privée" interdit au public et fil de fer pour empêcher le passage."

    Pan Perníček · 2026-01-21

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