The Verdon’s great turquoise lake
Lake Sainte-Croix
About 22 km² of emerald water between the grand canyon and Provence, bordered by five villages across two départements. Here’s how to find your way around: which beach, which village, which activity — and what you need to know before you swim.
- What it is
- A turquoise reservoir lake, flooded by EDF in 1973
- Surface area
- ≈ 22 km², up to 93 m deep
- Lakeside communes
- Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon, Aiguines, Bauduen, Les Salles-sur-Verdon, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie (Galetas)
- Territory
- 2 départements — Alpes-de-Haute-Provence (04) and Var (83)
- Supervised swimming
- Only 2 beaches in summer: Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon (village) and Margaridon (Les Salles)
Getting your bearings around the lake
The beaches, one by one
Galetas, Margaridon, Bauduen, Chabassole… which beach, on which shore, supervised or not, dogs allowed.
All the beaches →The Pont du Galetas
The most photographed spot on the lake: where the Verdon leaves the grand canyon and opens onto turquoise water.
The Pont du Galetas →Canoeing & electric boats
Paddle or drive licence-free up the first cliffs of the canyon, from the Galetas.
Canoeing at the Galetas →Swimming & safety
Cold water at depth, rarely supervised, EDF water releases: what you need to know before you jump in.
Safety in the Verdon →The five villages of the lake
The village beach, supervised in summer — the easiest spot to land for a swim.
Aiguines Left bank, gorge entrance (83)At the foot of the Corniche Sublime, with a view over the lake from the perched village.
Bauduen South shore (83)The lake’s most authentic medieval village, with an esplanade by the water.
Les Salles-sur-Verdon East shore (83)Shaded family beach, municipal water sports centre — rebuilt after the lake was flooded in 1973.
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie North shore, Galetas side (04)The faience and the best-known village in the area, a few minutes from the lake.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lake Sainte-Croix natural?
No, it’s an artificial reservoir lake: EDF flooded the former Verdon valley in 1973 by building the Sainte-Croix dam, downstream. The village of Les Salles-sur-Verdon, submerged by the flooding, was entirely rebuilt a little further up. It is this dam that gives the lake its characteristic turquoise colour and its great depth (up to 93 m).
Which communes border Lake Sainte-Croix?
Five, across two départements: Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie (north shore, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence), Aiguines, Bauduen and Les Salles-sur-Verdon (south and east shore, Var). Each has its own beach and its own character.
Where to stay by Lake Sainte-Croix?
It depends on the atmosphere you’re after: Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon for simplicity (village beach, supervised swimming); Bauduen for the authenticity of a real medieval village; Les Salles-sur-Verdon for a family base; Aiguines to combine the lake with the Corniche Sublime. Our “where to stay” guide details each area of the Verdon.
Can you drive around Lake Sainte-Croix?
Yes, the road that runs along the lake (D957 on the Galetas side, then D19 and D71 depending on the direction) links the five lakeside communes in half a day with stops. The mandatory crossing point is the Pont du Galetas, between the lake and the entrance to the grand canyon.