Lac de Sainte-Croix
Les Salles-sur-Verdon, France
The emerald lake at the mouth of the Verdon gorge, with pedal boats and canoes for hire along its shore. Come in the morning in high season, when the beaches and the approach roads fill up quickly.
Lac de Sainte-Croix lies on the border between the départements of Var and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and was created between 1971 and 1974 by building a dam on the Verdon. It covers around 22 km², holds up to 761 million m³ of water and is up to 93 m deep. The Verdon flows into the lake at the mouth of the Verdon Gorge. The old lower village of Les Salles-sur-Verdon was abandoned for the reservoir, and the village was rebuilt on the new shore. Other communes on the lake include Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon and Bauduen.
At several points operators rent out pedal boats, electric boats and sailing boats as well as canoes and kayaks. There is an island in the lake, the Île de Costebelle. In high season the beaches and access roads fill up quickly, so come in the morning. Allow half a day for the shore and a boat trip.
- Nearest town
- Les Salles-sur-Verdon, France
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 43.7740, 6.1970
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, July–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Aire de services Orapi MarketMotorhome stopover2 km from Lac de Sainte-Croix · 16 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Camping municipal Les RochesCampsite4 km from Lac de Sainte-Croix · 193 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Le MoulinCampsite5 km from Lac de Sainte-Croix · 150 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Camping Domaine du Petit LacCampsite5 km from Lac de Sainte-Croix · 116 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Camping municipal le Grand CanyonCampsite12 km from Lac de Sainte-Croix · 140 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- La GrangeonneCampsite18 km from Lac de Sainte-Croix · 51 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
All campsites in France · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Lac de Sainte-Croix?
Lac de Sainte-Croix is in Les Salles-sur-Verdon, France, at GPS 43.7740, 6.1970. It is about 4 km from Aiguines.
Can you camp near Lac de Sainte-Croix?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camping La Source, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 92 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Lac de Sainte-Croix?
Places worth a stop nearby: Gorges du Verdon (11 km), Plateau de Valensole (18 km), Le Thoronet Abbey (35 km) and Montagne Sainte-Victoire and Bimont dam (59 km).
When is the best time to visit Lac de Sainte-Croix?
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, July–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)