What to do around Lake Sainte-Croix and the Verdon Gorges?

Dazzling and enchanting, the Sainte-Croix lake is a true natural treasure nestled at the entrance to the famous Verdon Gorges, between the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and the Var. This artificial lake, created in 1973 by the Sainte-Croix dam, stretches like a turquoise pearl in the middle of wild and preserved landscapes. Its crystal-clear waters, bordered by wooded hills and limestone plateaus, offer a striking contrast that invites you to dream and escape.

With its sandy beaches and quiet coves, Lake Sainte-Croix is an ideal place to enjoy a refreshing swim or water activities such as kayaking, sailing or paddleboarding. Hiking and spectacular landscape enthusiasts are not left out, with trails that reveal breathtaking panoramas of the lake and the surrounding gorges.

Combining the grandeur of the Alps with the gentleness of Provence, the Sainte-Croix lake is an invitation to reconnect with nature in all its splendor. A place where light, water and mountains come together to offer an unforgettable spectacle.

Lake Sainte-Croix, a haven of freshness

Are you on the road to the Verdon Gorges, or are you finishing the route on the ledges overlooking them? Then you can't miss the Lake of Sainte-Croix.

Alps or Provence? One does not preclude the other. In the southern part of the French Alpine chain, more precisely in the Pre-Alps, the Verdon Gorges are the gateway to the Alps.

When you have chosen the Alpes de Haute Provence department for your vacation and you have visited the plateaus covered with lavender like the one of Valensole, or life in nature in Castellane or Digne les Bains you knew that you could count on moments of freshness in the Lac de Sainte Croix.

You won't regret it.

The colors of the South around the Sainte-Croix lake

The turquoise color when you admire the lake from the village of Sainte Croix du Verdon, and the almost green color when you look at it from the entrance to the gorges are only a reflection of what surrounds this very vast lake: the sky or the omnipresent greenery!

The calm waters, warmed by the heat of the Mediterranean sun, invite you to relax and unwind before starting the athletic trail that takes you inside the Verdon Gorge. Moreover, if you like water sports, it is by kayak or pedal boat that you will have to try to counter the current of the Verdon and admire the mouth of the gorges and its cliffs several hundred meters high. Go to the Saint Clair nautical base to rent all your equipment.

In the surrounding area, you will love discovering the history of earthenware in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, an extremely mineral village at the foot of imposing cliffs. Do you already know the legend of the star? If not, let yourself be surprised.

The gateway to the Verdon Gorges

And what about the Verdon Gorges? This green river flows at the bottom of a notch that you can explore on its banks both on the south bank (the sublime cornice) and the north bank, particularly at the level of the Route des Crêtes. You overlook vertiginous walls, in which eagles nest, disturbed only by climbing enthusiasts in full action in this fantastic setting. By following the loops of the river you will enter the landscapes of Haute Provence. You can then continue your journey towards Castellane, or even Digne, surrounded by mountains that look like fortresses.

To get as close as possible to the water, head to the Martel trail: the sky seems far away here, in the gap above your head between the two banks of the canyon.

Certainly, the Lake of Sainte-Croix, in the Provençal Prealps, gives you access to very diverse experiences.

The very unusual aquatic world that it reveals during the stay, immerses you in a magical universe composed of cliffs, cracks and dizzying viewpoints. Here at the lake, the fatigue of a hike is rewarded by a unique landscape...or by a refreshing dip in the clear waters of a finally calmed Verdon.

Activities not to be missed around the lake in Sainte-Croix du Verdon

Admire the view of the lake from Holy Cross of Verdon, and stroll around the village
Borrow the Muleteers circuit in the middle of lavender fields and enjoy beautiful views of the lake.
Do kayak on the lake to the entrance of the Verdon Gorge
Take advantage of the cool water to go for a walk pedalo on a beautiful summer day
Discover the very mineral village of Moustiers Sainte Croix
Explore the Verdon Gorges by the scenic routes
Discover the culture and exploitation of the lavender on the Valensole plateau