Canoe & kayak · Lake Sainte-Croix
Canoeing at the Pont du Galetas: paddle into the gorge
From Lake Sainte-Croix, glide under the bridge and discover the entrance of the Grand Canyon du Verdon, between cliffs closing in over turquoise water.
Illustrative image
At a glance
- StartPont du Galetas
- ≈ 2 kmto the yellow buoys
- 1 h 30 min to 2 hround trip
- Beginners and familiesin calm water, depending on conditions
- Best startearly in the morning
- Seasondepends on the operator
Your outing, step by step
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Illustrative image Launch at the Galetas
Put your boat in the water on the beach at the Pont du Galetas, at the end of Lake Sainte-Croix.
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Illustrative image Pass under the bridge
Glide under the Pont du Galetas: you leave the lake and enter the Verdon river.
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Illustrative image Reach the yellow buoys
Paddle gently up the entrance of the gorge to the yellow buoys, then turn back the same way.
Before you paddle
- Stop at the yellow buoys (authorised limit).
- No navigation beyond the buoys.
- Swimming is forbidden in the gorge; landing is forbidden beyond the buoys.
- Check the wind and conditions before you set off.
Where to rent your boat?
Several operators rent canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and electric boats at the Pont du Galetas and around Lake Sainte-Croix.
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Illustrative image Canoe-kayak
A stable boat to paddle up the entrance of the gorge.
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Illustrative image Pedal boat
A relaxed outing on the lake.
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Illustrative image Electric boat
No licence needed, to explore the lake and its shores gently.
The route on the map
Follow the route: the Pont du Galetas, the entrance of the canyon and the line of yellow buoys.
- Pont du Galetas
- Yellow buoys (limit)
Illustrative image The best time to go
- In the morning: the lake is calmer, the light softer and conditions often more favourable.
- In the afternoon: a thermal wind rises over the lake and makes the way back harder work.
Suitable for families
An outing in calm water, suitable for beginners and children, as long as you follow the navigation rules. The minimum age or weight varies by operator.
Equipment
A life jacket is compulsory on canoes, kayaks and paddleboards, and on any boat for children under 12. Bring water, sun protection and a hat.
Frequently asked questions
Can you canoe from the Galetas beach into the gorge?
Yes. You rent a canoe, kayak, pedal boat or licence-free electric boat on the Galetas beach and pass under the Pont du Galetas to paddle up the entrance of the Grand Canyon, as far as the yellow buoys: about 2 km, so 1 h 30 min to 2 h round trip. Beyond the buoys is a protected natural area where navigation is forbidden.
How far up can you paddle?
As far as the yellow buoys placed by the Parc naturel régional du Verdon, about 2 km upstream of the bridge. This limit protects the river ecosystem and the Rhône streber, an endangered fish. Landing or navigating beyond it is forbidden.
Is it suitable for beginners and children?
Yes, the route in calm water is accessible to everyone. A life jacket is compulsory on canoes, kayaks and paddleboards, and on any boat for children under 12. The minimum age or weight varies by operator: check before booking.
Should you go in the morning or the afternoon?
In the morning. The water is calm early on; a thermal wind rises over Lake Sainte-Croix in the afternoon, ideal for sailing but tiring and risky on the way back by canoe.
How much does it cost to rent a canoe or kayak at the Galetas?
Verdon Canoë (Galetas beach) states on its website that it is open until 4 October 2026, so its 2026 season is over. Its 2026 prices, to be reconfirmed in spring 2027: single kayak €25 (2 h), €33 (3 h), €40 (4 h); double kayak €30, €40, €50. For pedal boats and electric boats at the other bases, ask the operators for prices and opening hours.
Can you paddle up the whole Grand Canyon from the Galetas?
No. From the Galetas you only paddle up the entrance of the canyon, as far as the buoys (about 2 km). The heart of the Grand Canyon, upstream from Castellane, is done by guided rafting, canyoning or river hiking: a completely different activity.
Where this information comes from
- Parc naturel régional du VerdonNavigation and safety on Lake Sainte-Croix.
- Tourist officesLacs et Gorges du Verdon (Aiguines), Moustiers-Sainte-Marie: local advice and conditions.
- Dated, sourced informationPage verified on 14 July 2026; detailed sources at the bottom of the page.
Also worth discovering
Going further
Rental operators, area by area
Verdon Canoë (Aiguines, Galetas beach): canoes and kayaks for 1 to 3 people; Kanojano and Aiguinautic (Aiguines): canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and electric boats; pedal boats at Nounet, at the foot of the bridge.
Base Nautique de l’Étoile (Moustiers-Sainte-Marie): kayak, canoe, pedal boat and electric boat, with a snack bar.
Lac-Loc (Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon), Surf Center (Margaridon beach, Les Salles-sur-Verdon), Centre Nautique de Bauduen; Haute Provence Outdoor (based in Castellane) for canoe and paddleboard rental.
Season depends on the operator: in 2026, Verdon Canoë until 4 October, Base Nautique de l’Étoile from March to November.
2026 season prices (for reference): at Verdon Canoë, at the Galetas, a single kayak was €25 (2 h), €33 (3 h) or €40 (4 h), a double kayak €30, €40 or €50 (checked on the operator’s website on 9 October 2026, to be reconfirmed in spring 2027). For pedal boats and electric boats, ask the operators for prices.
Do you run a water sports base in the Verdon? List it on LiveVerdon
Safety and navigation rules
- EDF water releases: further up in the gorges, the dam’s turbines can start automatically and create dangerous currents; the water level rises fast. Stay on the lake side, downstream of the buoys.
- Speed limited to 20 km/h on the lake; navigation in the gorge closes when the wind exceeds 28 km/h.
- Only electric motors are allowed on the lake (combustion engines are forbidden).
- Jumping from cliffs and bridges is forbidden, as are scuba diving and freediving. The Galetas beach is supervised in July and August.
Not to be confused: the easy canoe trip at the Galetas is the entrance of the Grand Canyon, at the edge of the lake. The heart of the canyon in white water (rafting, canyoning, river hiking from Castellane) is a guided sporting activity, much further upstream. The Basses Gorges are downstream of the lake, towards Quinson and Esparron.
State of the Verdon (water releases, weather, wind) →Safety in the Verdon →
Check for yourself
The external sources this page relies on, one click away. We would rather you be able to contradict us than ask you to take our word for it.
- Verdon Park — navigation and safety on Lake Sainte-Croixparcduverdon.fr
The Park’s official page about navigation on Lake Sainte-Croix: speed rules, compulsory equipment, prohibited zones and wind conditions.
- Fédération française de canoë-kayak et sports de pagaieffck.org
Federation holding the state delegation for canoe-kayak and paddle sports: river classification, skill levels and the framework for professional instruction.
- Lacs & Gorges du Verdon intercommunal tourist office (Aups)lacs-gorges-verdon.fr
Tourist office covering 16 villages of the left bank and the lakes, including Aiguines, Bauduen and Trigance: outdoor activities, beaches and providers in the area.
- Moustiers-Sainte-Marie tourist officemoustiers.fr
Official information from the western gateway commune: Lake Sainte-Croix, water sports, the Trail Area, hiking.
All 4 links responded during our last automated check, on 7 November 2026. A broken link is removed, never left in place.
Page verified on . Prices, opening hours and navigation rules change every season: check with the operators and the tourist office.
Explore the Verdon at your own pace
Lakes, gorges, hilltop villages: all the activities in the Verdon.