The Most Beautiful Lakes of the Gorges du Verdon
The Verdon Gorge and Its Lakes
The Verdon Gorges are dotted with lakes created by hydroelectric dams built between 1925 and 1975: Lake Castillon, the Chaudanne Reservoir, Lake Sainte-Croix, the Quinson Reservoir, and Lake Esparron. These bodies of water form reservoirs along the Verdon River, which are now an integral part of the landscape—a succession of deep canyons and vast turquoise expanses.
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The lakes contribute to the area’s appeal to tourists, as they offer a wide range of water-based recreational activities: beaches and swimming, canoeing, sailing, pedal boats, electric boats, and water skiing, depending on the location. Set out to explore the lakes of the Gorges du Verdon, and hop aboard a canoe in the Gorges du Verdon.
The 4 Main Lakes of the Gorges du Verdon
Lake De Quinson
This 11-kilometer-long lake, nestled between narrow gorges in a wild and unspoiled setting, covers an area of 160 hectares. It offers excellent access to the gorges from both Saint-Laurent-du-Verdon and Montagnac-Montpezat.
At Lake Quinson, a water sports center offers a variety of water activities, including windsurfing, canoeing and kayaking, and pedal boats. Swimming is also supervised during the season at the Quinson water sports center.
Boating is permitted only on non-motorized vessels or those powered by electric motors.
Lake Sainte-Croix
Although relatively new—since construction on the dam that created it did not begin until 1970—Lake Sainte-Croix is now the second-largest artificial lake in France, with 2,200 hectares of turquoise water.
With an average width of 2 km, it stretches 12 km in length. Its creation led to the submergence of a valley, several dozen farms, and the village of Salles-sur-Verdon.
Its waters serve multiple purposes: generating electricity, irrigating farmland in Provence, supplying water to Mediterranean cities, and refueling water-bombing aircraft that come to scoop up water from it in the event of fires.
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Tourism has grown rapidly on and around Lake Sainte-Croix: today, the area is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts and families looking to recharge amid the exceptional landscapes of the Verdon.
You can go canoeing, sailing, and stand-up paddleboarding there, and you can rent pedal boats or electric boats to explore the lake and the navigable gorges.
There are also well-maintained beaches for those who enjoy relaxing, playing in the sand, and swimming. Enjoy a camping trip at Lake Sainte-Croix for your next vacation.
Lake De Castillon
The oldest dam lake in the Verdon region, it was created by the construction of a hydroelectric plant that began in 1924 and was completed after World War II. Covering an area of 500 hectares, it stretches 8 km in length between the mountains, in an exceptional setting sheltered from the Mistral.
A small portion of the lake, in the southern sector, is used by the French Navy and is off-limits to the public. The rest of the lake is open for a variety of recreational activities. In Saint-André-les-Alpes and Saint-Julien-sur-Verdon, water sports centers located along the shores offer canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and pedal boats for rent; provide windsurfing workshops and lessons; organize water excursions; and even invite you to try water skiing.
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At the beaches, swimming, games, and relaxing are a must!
The area around Lake Castillon is finally crisscrossed by walking trails that offer magnificent hiking routes for a peaceful exploration of the region.
Lake Esparron-de-Verdon
Covering more than 300 hectares, Lake Esparron is one of the most pristine lakes in the Verdon region: its landscape, featuring gorges, cliffs, and rocky coves, gives it incredible charm.
Consisting of two basins, it is overlooked by the picturesque village ofEsparron-sur-Verdon, which offers an incredible panoramic view of the valley. An ideal starting point for exploring the Verdon Regional Nature Park, it offers easy access to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie and Gréoux-les-Bains.
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The lake’s waters help supply water to more than a hundred cities, including Toulon, Aix, and Marseille. There are countless water activities to enjoy on Lake Esparron, including rowing, pedal boating, canoeing, kayaking, and electric boating.
Swimming is also permitted. These natural wonders are easily accessible from our campground in the Gorges du Verdon.
