The Orient Lake (2500 ha i.e.about 6, 200 acres) located east of Troyes was created in 1966 to regulate the flow of the rivers Aube and Seine.

It has been called after the names of the Knights of Orient, Hospitallers and Templars, the former owners of the Orient Forest which spread from the Pays d'Othe to the hills of Saint-Dizier.

The Lac du Temple (1800 ha i.e. 4450 acres) and the Lac d'Amance (500 ha i.e. 1235 acres) were dug in the Regional Natural Park and linked by a canal.

Access

Distances :

Paris
180 km i.e. 110 miles
via the A5 motorway

Rheims (Reims)
130 km i.e. 80 miles
via the A26 motorway

Dijon
160 km i.e. 100 miles
via the A26 motorway

The rhythm of seasons

The lake is filled from January to June and then emptied slowly till October and this brings about important changes in the landscape and the various biotopes.

Birds have soon learnt to make the most of this vast stretch of wet land. The mudbanks which appear at the end of summer are attractive to migrating waders and the vegetation covering these mudbanks in autumn and the vast strethes of water harbour numerous ducks in winter and spring.

The Aube lakes have progressively become a migratory stopover for the Common Crane. Many of them spend the winter on the lakes.

The lakes are also attractive to wintering birds which have to cross the area in spring and autumn : the Black Stork, for instance, is a regular visitor.

Summer is also a worthwhile period for ornithological observations. Migrating birds coming from warm countries mix with sedentary birds. The Common Tern, which nests on the artificial platforms built by the LPO volunteer workers, can be observed regularly now.

The best birding spots

Lac d'Orient 1 2 3 Lac du Temple 4 5 6 et 7 Lac Amance 8

1) 

Worthwile area for migrating and wintering birds. Therefore, the best period is November to March.
Observation of Bean Goose, White-tailed Eagle in winter, Osprey in spring and autumn.
Night roost for gulls.
Ducks, Great-crested Grebe, dunlin, etc.

2)

Propitious area for nesting birds. Best time from May to August.

You can come across Coot, Great-crested Grebe, Little Grebe and Moorhen.

3)

Observation area for migrating and wintering birds from October to April.
You can come across Bean Goose and migrating Common Cranes.
Ducks and Common Shelduck can be observed too.

8)

The lac d'Amance is a good spot all over the year. Migrating waders, diving ducks, Great-crested Grebes and Common Coot present too.