Where to photograph the Seven Laux lakes, the Col de la Vache, and the Cime de la Jasse?
Published on July 23, 2026
To the north of Belledonne, the Sept Laux lakes form a vast high-altitude area connected by the GR®738. The area can be explored from Le Pleynet, Fond-de-France, Prapoutel, or Le Rivier-d'Allemont, with very different atmospheres depending on the chosen slope. The large lakes, dams, refuges, ridges, and peaks like the Cime de la Jasse or the Rocher Blanc offer a photographic playground more extensive than a simple round trip to a lake.
The Col de la Vache marks one of the most spectacular transitions of the massif: a mineral passage between the Belledonne range and views towards Oisans. However, it requires a higher level of commitment than the areas around the Sept Laux refuge. This guide therefore distinguishes between projects accessible for a day, itineraries to be spread over two days, and summit subjects that should not be improvised.
This page complements our pillar guide Where to photograph the Belledonne massif?, as well as our dedicated guides to Chamrousse and the Robert lakes and the Lac du Crozet and the Col de la Pra.
To remember: the Sept Laux refer to a collection of lakes and itineraries, not a single viewpoint. A night at the refuge allows you to work with the best light without turning the outing into a race against time. The Col de la Vache and the summits require separate mountain preparation.
The essentials in 30 seconds
- Classic access: from Le Pleynet towards the refuge and the Sept Laux plateau.
- Main atmosphere: succession of lakes, dams, rocky slabs, and ridges.
- Best photo strategy: spread the outing over two days with a reserved night at the refuge.
- Most mineral passage: the Col de la Vache, on the GR®738.
- Summit most linked to the 7 Laux area: the Cime de la Jasse, visible from the Prapoutel side.
- Best light: calm morning on the lakes, end of day on the ridges, and clearings after disturbance.
- Versatile focal length: 24–70 mm.
- Main risk: extending an already long outing too far, especially with a heavy camera bag.
Le Pleynet, Prapoutel or trekking: which access to choose?
| Project | Atmosphere | Logical duration | Commitment | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Le Pleynet to the refuge | Forest, waterfalls, lakes, and dams | Long day or two days | Strenuous | Complete discovery of the plateau |
| Fond-de-France | Haut-Bréda Valley and gradual ascent | Long day | Strenuous | Valley reporting and access to the plateau |
| Prapoutel / Cime de la Jasse | Resort, ridges, and views towards Belledonne | Half-day to full day depending on itinerary | Variable to high | Sunrise, winter, and mountain silhouette |
| Lake circuit | Full immersion and change of slope | Several days | High | Documentary series and GR®738 |
| Col de la Vache | Mineral passage and views towards Oisans | Trekking stage or long day | Very high | High mountains and ridge lines |
1. Ascent to Sept Laux from Le Pleynet
Le Pleynet is one of the most straightforward accesses to the plateau. The ascent first crosses the forest and gradually reaches more open terrain. This transition offers several photographic atmospheres even before reaching the lakes.
Forest and waterfalls
Wooded areas work well in overcast weather, when contrast remains moderate. A slow shutter speed can soften the water, but retain enough texture for the waterfall to look natural. Use a tripod only when it does not obstruct passage.
Exiting the forest
When the ridges appear, the light becomes harsher. Protect the highlights and look for a dark foreground to add depth. Hikers can provide a sense of scale without taking up much space.
Managing effort
The 7 Laux tourist office describes access to the refuge and lakes as a strenuous hike. One route, for example, suggests an itinerary of 12.2 kilometers, estimated to take around 3 hours 45 minutes, depending on the variant described. These figures should not be mechanically added to a photo project: stops, weight, and weather significantly extend the actual duration.
2. Photographing the Sept Laux lakes
The plateau brings together several lakes, including Lac Carré, Lac de la Motte, and Lac Cottepens near the refuge. The shoreline shapes, hydroelectric structures, and reliefs vary from one basin to another. The aim is to build a varied series rather than repeating the same reflection.
Choosing a lake according to the light
A lake exposed to the wind may be of little interest for reflections but excellent for textures. Another, more sheltered, will retain a calm surface. Observe the orientation before setting up equipment.
Integrating the dams
The plateau bears visible hydroelectric history. The structures can frame the image and provide scale. Do not systematically try to hide them: an honest framing is often stronger than a false impression of untouched nature.
Shorelines and foregrounds
Use a slab, grass, or shoreline curve without straying from solid paths. Waterlogged areas and high-altitude vegetation quickly degrade under repeated footsteps.
Photographing multiple bodies of water
From certain reliefs, several lakes can be in the frame. A moderate telephoto lens brings them closer and prevents the bodies of water from becoming tiny in too wide a landscape.
3. Sept Laux Refuge and evening light
The refuge is located in the heart of the plateau, near several lakes. A reserved night allows you to work with the end of the day, the blue hour, and the morning without returning in the dark via a long itinerary.
Photographing the refuge with respect
The building remains a place of life and work. Do not block the entrance, do not photograph people up close without their agreement, and leave the surroundings accessible. A silhouette or a light in a window is enough to convey a human presence.
End of day
The ridges can receive warm light while the lakes are already in shadow. Expose for the bright areas and accept a marked contrast. Too long an exposure can make the water artificially smooth while the wind remains visible elsewhere.
Night photography
The plateau is suitable for starry skies, but the priority remains the tranquility of other users. Avoid powerful lamps directed towards the refuge and long setups around passages.
4. Col de la Vache: mineral passage between Belledonne and Oisans
The Col de la Vache is one of the striking passages of the GR®738. The terrain becomes very mineral, with blocks, slabs, and an opening towards the Grandes Rousses and Oisans. This atmosphere is photogenic but should not be confused with a stroll around the refuge.
A photography of passage
The pass tells a story of transition. Use cairns, the trail line, and a silhouette to show movement between two slopes. Avoid moving cairns or building new ones for composition.
Light on the blocks
Side light reveals volumes. At midday, the blocks become flatter and the sky takes up too much space. Partially cloudy weather creates useful alternations.
Do not improvise
Depending on the season, snow, fog, or humidity make the passage more delicate. Check the condition of the GR®738, the weather, and your ability to return. This guide does not replace an updated hiking topo.
5. Cime de la Jasse and Prapoutel slope
The Cime de la Jasse dominates the 7 Laux area and offers an immediately identifiable silhouette from Prapoutel and neighboring ridges. It can be photographed as a main subject without systematically aiming to reach the summit.
From the outskirts of Prapoutel
Meadows, slopes, and forest edges provide accessible foregrounds. Frame to acknowledge the presence of the resort or to cleanly exclude it, without cutting off facilities at the edge of the image.
In winter
Snow simplifies lines and enhances the shape of the Cime. Respect the marked trails, closed areas, and resort instructions. A photograph from an authorized sector can be stronger and much safer than an improvised off-piste excursion.
From Habert d'Aiguebelle
The Aiguebelle sector provides access to several hikes in the heart of Belledonne, including the Cime de la Jasse. For a photo project, the habert, alpine pastures, and ridges may be sufficient to build a series, without extending to a summit if conditions are not suitable.
6. Building a photographic series over two days
A night at the refuge allows you to distribute your intentions:
- documentary ascent from the forest;
- first lake with daylight;
- refuge and ridges at the end of the day;
- blue hour or starry sky with discretion;
- morning reflections;
- details of dam, rock, and vegetation on the return.
This organization produces a richer series than an accumulation of panoramas. It also provides a safety margin and avoids rushing between lakes at the end of the day.
Light, wind, and weather
Morning
Lakes are often calmer and reliefs gradually receive light. Arrive before sunrise if you are sleeping at the refuge, without unnecessarily lighting other users.
End of day
The ridges take on a warm light. Lakes may already be dark, which enhances depth. Watch out for highlights.
Wind
The plateau is exposed. Use a sufficient shutter speed and lower the tripod. Do not let the strap flap against the camera.
Storms and fog
Large open spaces offer little protection. Give up early if a storm approaches. In fog, immediately check your orientation and do not continue towards a pass simply to capture an ambiance.
Which season to choose?
Late spring
Snowfields provide strong contrasts but complicate passages. The date alone is not enough to know the state of the terrain.
Summer
This is the most logical period for a first discovery and a night at the refuge. Start early to limit heat and the risk of storms.
Autumn
The air becomes clearer, crowds decrease, and the low light better illuminates the reliefs. Nights are cold and days are short.
Winter
The area requires adapted snowy mountain practice. Summer itineraries should not be transposed without analyzing risk and conditions.
Composition and focal lengths
- 16–35 mm: useful on ridges with a rocky foreground.
- 24–70 mm: best compromise for lakes, refuges, and general landscapes.
- 70–200 mm: ridges, Cime de la Jasse, animals, and overlapping lakes.
- Vertical format: path, waterfall, refuge, and summit.
- Details: rock, water, grasses, and hydroelectric elements to enrich a series.
Do not systematically place the horizon at the one-third mark. On a very graphic lake, symmetry can work. On ridges, an imbalanced framing sometimes gives a better sense of passage and wind.
Equipment and autonomy
- standard zoom and light telephoto lens;
- compact tripod for extreme hours;
- extra batteries and rain protection;
- headlamp with low mode;
- offline map and orientation solution independent of the phone;
- water and food for a duration longer than the announced walking time;
- warm clothing, even in summer at the refuge.
Safety and good practices
Consult the official page Refuge and lakes of 7 Laux via Le Pleynet and the presentation of the tour of the Sept Laux lakes. Conditions and access must be checked before departure.
- book the refuge when your project depends on an overnight stay;
- do not swim in the reservoirs and respect the structures;
- stay on solid paths near the banks;
- do not feed animals and keep your distance;
- do not extend to the Col de la Vache without time and weather margins;
- check restrictions and sensitivity of areas before any drone flight.
Discover the Cime de la Jasse in a photo print
Also find the lakes, ridges, and landscapes of the massif in our collection of Belledonne photo prints.
FAQ: Sept Laux lakes, Col de la Vache and Cime de la Jasse
Can you visit the Sept Laux in a day?
Yes, but access routes are challenging and a photo outing takes more time than continuous hiking. A night at the refuge provides a much more comfortable margin.
Which access to choose for a first visit?
Le Pleynet is one of the classic accesses to the refuge and the plateau. Check the official information and conditions before departure.
Is the Col de la Vache an easy extension?
No. It is a more demanding mountain pass, often integrated into a trekking route. Do not consider it a simple detour around the lakes.
Where to photograph the Cime de la Jasse?
It is visible from the Prapoutel slope and neighboring ridges. The Habert d'Aiguebelle also allows you to work with the alpine pastures and the summit's silhouette.
What focal length is most useful?
A 24–70 mm covers the lakes and the refuge. A 70–200 mm becomes very useful for summits and overlapping planes.
What is the best season?
Summer is the easiest period for a first discovery. Autumn offers lower light but short days and cold nights.