Mis à jour le
Book your stay
In the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, a few kilometres east of Gréoux-les-Bains, Esparron-de-Verdon is a small town whose area, half covered in woodland and forest, includes the large, namesake 300-hectare lake, in the heart of the Verdon Gorges.
Our campsite near Esparron is also close to Allemagne-en-Provence, Quinson and Saint-Laurent-du-Verdon.
On the edge of the Var, the village is crossed by the GR4 long-distance hiking trail. Esparron is ideally located for exploring Lake Sainte-Croix and Lake Quinson, discovering the lavender fields of the Luberon, and of course visiting the Verdon Gorges and the Verdon Natural Park.
At the foot of the magnificent Valensole Plateau and its blue stretches of lavandin, at the gateway to the Verdon Regional Nature Park and at the entrance to the famous canyon, Esparron is a nature destination par excellence, ideal for camping in the Verdon.
The village’s timeless silhouette is reflected in the clear, paradise-like waters of the Verdon. In the centre of a typical medieval settlement stands a castle, a former 13th-century keep later expanded with residential wings in the 15th and 17th centuries.
At the foot of the castle lies the oldest quarter of the village, where you can also discover the Romanesque Saint-André church, built in the 12th century and topped with a bell turret in the 18th century. With the creation of the reservoir in 1967, this peaceful small Verdon village became a popular tourist destination, thanks to its charm and the outdoor activities its area has to offer.
Nature lovers and fans of culture and history alike will find plenty to enjoy in Esparron, between the lake waters, wild landscapes, lavandin fields and local heritage: a Bronze Age offering well, typical medieval architecture, and a fascinating eco-museum displaying everyday objects and Provençal costumes dating from the 18th to the early 20th century.
Today, one of the wildest stretches of water in Provence, Lake Esparron was created in 1967 with the construction of the Gréoux-les-Bains hydroelectric dam.
With a surface area of more than 3 km2, it is open to non-polluting water activities, meaning those that do not involve a combustion engine.
From its promontory, the village of Esparron-de-Verdon offers a breathtaking view over the lake’s crystal-clear waters, whose turquoise colour is typical of the Verdon. Along the lakeshore, the Garde-Canal trail offers a lovely hike of around 3 hours, with a gentle 200-metre elevation gain, leading down to the water and highlighting the importance of water management in Provence.
Around the lake, facilities are in place for many gentle, varied water activities: sailing, rowing, canoeing, pedal boats, and silent electric motorboats that anyone can pilot, as well as, of course, swimming.
The Garde-Canal trail provides access to all the beaches around Lake Esparron.
There are many different options, from small, hidden coves to the family-friendly Saint-Julien beach, each offering its own unique atmosphere and scenery.
Mis à jour le