Lac de Sainte-Croix

About this spectacle

Lac de Sainte-Croix is a large turquoise-blue reservoir nestled in the Gorges du Verdon region of Provence, southern France. Fed by the Verdon River, its famously clear, aquamarine waters shimmer against a backdrop of white limestone cliffs and scrubby garrigue hillsides. Visitors can paddle kayaks and pedal boats into the narrow canyon entrance where the lake meets the gorge, experiencing the dramatic shift from open water to soaring rock walls. In summer the lake fills with colour — sails, inflatables, and the dazzling interplay of turquoise water and bleached stone. Shallow coves warm quickly in the Provençal sun, making it a popular spot for swimming. In spring and autumn the crowds thin, birdsong carries across the water, and the light turns golden on the cliffs. The reservoir was created in the 1970s and remains one of the most visually striking inland water bodies in France.

When to go

Apr — Oct, peak Jun — Aug

Getting there

Nearest airport: MRS. Nearest city: Digne-les-Bains.

Booking options

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