Swimming · Lake Sainte-Croix
The Verdon’s great turquoise lake has more than a dozen named beaches (and plenty of unnamed coves), spread across five communes and two departments. Here’s which is which, on which shore, with what access — and the one thing almost nobody tells you clearly: where swimming is supervised, and where it isn’t.
Locations sourced from open OpenStreetMap data, cross-checked with the Lacs & Gorges du Verdon tourist office portal. To confirm on site: a beach can be closed, or access can change with the season or the lake’s water level.
Safety in the Verdon → State of the Verdon (releases, weather) →
The village beach, below Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon (north shore). Sand and gravel, a gently sloping entry into the water, toilets, picnic tables and lawns. Lifeguard-supervised swimming area in summer.
A leisure base on the north shore, on the Galetas side (Moustiers). A point of access to the water and to rentals, dogs allowed.
The Verdon’s postcard beach: this is where, beneath the Pont du Galetas, the turquoise lake meets the entrance to the Grand Canyon. Rowing boats, pedal boats, canoes and paddleboards are all for hire here, to paddle up the first cliffs of the gorge. Stunning — and the busiest beach on the lake in summer.
At the foot of the village of Aiguines, at the entrance to the gorges (left bank). A large beach that acts as a launch point for boat rentals, very popular for heading up the Verdon by electric boat.
The family beach at Les Salles-sur-Verdon, shaded, between the La Source and Les Pins campsites, below the village. A municipal watersports base, a snack bar and parking. Lifeguard-supervised swimming area in summer.
The waterside esplanade of the medieval village of Bauduen (south shore), the most authentic spot on the lake. A watersports centre, terraces facing the lake.
The gentlest way to pass beneath the Pont du Galetas and brush past the entrance to the gorges. Licence-free electric boats, pedal boats, canoes and paddleboards can all be hired right by the main beaches (combustion engines are banned across the whole lake).
Pédalos chez Nounet (pedal boats, from ~€25/h), KAKOBEACH (electric boats, from ~€40/h), Location Chabassole (pedal boats, canoes, paddleboards).
Lac-Loc Sainte-Croix (electric boats, pedal boats, canoes) and village-based operators.
Base Nautique de l’Étoile (electric boats, pedal boats, canoes; snack bar).
Centre Nautique de Bauduen (sailing, paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing).
Prices are indicative, checked in July 2026 — confirm with rental operators. Find all the lake’s watersports on the Swimming & lakes in the Verdon page.
Not many. A lifeguard-supervised swimming area with a first-aid post is set up in summer (July–August) at the village beach of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon and at Margaridon beach (Les Salles-sur-Verdon). Most of the lake’s other beaches aren’t supervised: be extra careful with children.
Galetas beach, at the entrance to the Grand Canyon beneath the Pont du Galetas, is the most spectacular — but also the busiest in summer. For more peace and quiet, the beaches on the east shore (Les Salles) and the village of Bauduen (south shore) are great alternatives.
On several beaches yes, on a leash (Galetas, Chabassole, Commandon and Charoup, La Cadeno…), but not everywhere: dogs are banned from Margaridon beach. Check the signage on site. See our guide “The Verdon with a dog”.
At the surface, it’s around 24-25 °C in summer. But the deep water stays cold (it’s a dam reservoir): watch out for cold-water shock if you dive in. And swimming is banned in the river, inside the gorges, because of EDF water releases that can raise the level suddenly.
Yes, from the Galetas, by canoe, pedal boat or licence-free electric boat, as far as the limit marked by yellow buoys (~2 km). Beyond that, it’s a protected natural area (the Rhône apron): landing and navigation are banned. Navigation also closes when wind speed exceeds 28 km/h.
Car parks serve the main beaches (Galetas, Margaridon, the village of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon), often paid and full to capacity by midday in summer. Come early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
