Lake Sainte-Croix is an artificial reservoir created by EDF on the Verdon, at the exit of the Verdon Gorge, between the Var and the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. At about 2,200 hectares (5,436 acres), it is the fourth-largest lake in mainland France by area. You can swim there and get around by pedal boat, canoe, paddleboard or electric boat: combustion engines are banned. This page brings together the official boating and swimming rules of the Verdon Regional Natural Park, how to get there, the climate measured at Valensole and sunset times month by month.
The lake is best visited together with the gorge: see our guide to the Verdon Gorge, and more broadly our page on visiting Provence. For another waterside stop, see also Cassis or Porquerolles.
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Lake Sainte-Croix: key facts
- Access: open and free (natural site); three villages on the shore: Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon, Bauduen and Les Salles-sur-Verdon
- Supervised swimming: in July and August, at Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon, Bauduen, Les Salles-sur-Verdon and Galetas beach (Aiguines) — checked on 23 October 2026 on parcduverdon.fr
- Boating: combustion engines prohibited (except rescue); speed limited to 20 km/h (12 mph); lifejacket compulsory on canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and for under-12s
- Gorge by boat: going upstream beyond the Galetas bridge as far as the yellow buoys is possible, closed when the wind exceeds 28 km/h (17 mph)
- Emergency: 112 — checked on 11 November 2026 on parcduverdon.fr
The lake in a few facts
The reservoir was filled by EDF in 1973, after the construction of the Sainte-Croix dam on the Verdon (commissioned in 1974). It lies at the foot of the Verdon Gorge, the Canjuers plain and the Valensole plateau, known for its lavandin fields. The village of Les Salles-sur-Verdon is a rebuilt village: the old one was drowned by the reservoir. The lake also serves as a drinking-water reserve for Provence, and water-bomber aircraft (Canadairs) scoop from it during wildfires. Pike, carp, perch and zander are fished there.
Boating and swimming rules
The Verdon Regional Natural Park summarizes the rules set by the inter-prefectoral order of June 15, 2017 on the Sainte-Croix reservoir. The main ones:
| Rule | Official detail |
|---|---|
| Engines | Combustion-engine boating prohibited, except rescue; license required above 6 hp (4.5 kW); maximum power 25 hp (18.4 kW) |
| Speed | 20 km/h (12 mph) maximum; 3 km/h (2 mph) within the 50 m (164 ft) strip along the shores, where you head perpendicular to the shore |
| Lifejacket | Compulsory on canoes, kayaks, light sailboats, paddleboards, windsurfers, kitesurfers, and for any child under 12 on board |
| Gorges | Going upstream beyond the Galetas bridge only as far as the yellow buoys; closed if the wind exceeds 28 km/h (17 mph); prohibited for sailboats |
| Prohibited | Water skiing and towed tubes, night navigation, overnight stays on board, diving and freediving, jumping from cliffs and bridges, wild camping on the shores, fires and stoves |
| Zones | Boating prohibited in supervised swimming areas; access, boating and swimming prohibited in the exclusion zones of the dam and the water intake (yellow buoys) |
The Park adds three warnings. The lake level varies: unmarked rocks and shoals may appear. The dam’s turbines can start automatically at any time and create currents. Finally, if a Canadair flies over you, get to the nearest shore quickly: it will scoop on its next pass.
What to do at Lake Sainte-Croix
- Swim at the supervised beaches in July–August (Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon, Bauduen, Les Salles-sur-Verdon, Galetas), avoiding the eroded banks and muddy bottoms flagged by the Park.
- Go upstream at the entrance to the gorge by pedal boat, canoe or electric boat from the Galetas bridge, up to the limit of the yellow buoys: beyond that is a protected area for the Rhône apron (Zingel asper), a fish threatened with extinction.
- Sail: sailboats have priority over motor boats, rowing boats and pedal boats.
- Fish: pike, carp, perch and zander are present in the lake.
- Tour the villages of Bauduen, Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon and Les Salles-sur-Verdon.
- Watch wildlife from April to August, staying out of the reedbeds, where waterbirds and amphibians breed.
When to go to Lake Sainte-Croix: climate and sunset
The nearest Météo-France station with a climate sheet is Valensole, on the plateau at 600 m (1,969 ft) elevation (the lake is a little lower). Its normals give a reliable order of magnitude:
| Month | Average max temp | Average min temp | Rainfall | Days with rain ≥ 1 mm | Days ≥ 25 °C (77 °F) | Sunset (15th) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9.5 °C (49 °F) | 1.1 °C (34 °F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 5.7 | 0.0 | 17:23 |
| February | 10.9 °C (52 °F) | 0.9 °C (34 °F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 4.9 | 0.0 | 18:05 |
| March | 14.5 °C (58 °F) | 3.3 °C (38 °F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 5.2 | 0.0 | 18:41 |
| April | 17.5 °C (64 °F) | 5.9 °C (43 °F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 7.6 °C (46 °F) | 0.5 | 20:19 |
| May | 21.7 °C (71 °F) | 9.5 °C (49 °F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 6.9 | 6.6 | 20:54 |
| June | 26.7 °C (80 °F) | 13.3 °C (56 °F) | 50 mm (2.0 in) | 4.7 | 19.8 | 21:19 |
| July | 29.8 °C (86 °F) | 15.6 °C (60 °F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 3.3 | 28.2 | 21:16 |
| August | 29.3 °C (85 °F) | 15.6 °C (60 °F) | 50 mm (2.0 in) | 4.6 | 27.3 | 20:40 |
| September | 24.2 °C (76 °F) | 12.1 °C (54 °F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 5.2 | 13.0 | 19:47 |
| October | 19.3 °C (67 °F) | 9.1 °C (48 °F) | 76 mm (3.0 in) | 6.3 | 1.6 | 18:53 |
| November | 13.0 °C (55 °F) | 4.7 °C (40 °F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 8.0 °C (46 °F) | 0.0 | 17:10 |
| December | 9.8 °C (50 °F) | 1.8 °C (35 °F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 6.2 | 0.0 | 16:58 |
Our reading: the supervised swimming season (July–August) matches the two hottest months, with 27 to 28 days at 25 °C (77 °F) or more and only 3 to 5 rainy days. June and September stay warm (24 to 27 °C / 75 to 81 °F maximum) without supervised beaches. October and November are the wettest months. In July, the sun sets after 9 pm: an evening pedal-boat trip is still possible, but night navigation is prohibited. Destination de Voyage calculation based on Météo-France and NOAA. The Park points out that April to August is the most sensitive period for wildlife and plants.
How to get to Lake Sainte-Croix
- By car: the Lacs et Gorges du Verdon tourist office gives as motorway exits exit 34 Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume (from Marseille) and exit 17 C.E.A. Cadarache (from Aix-en-Provence or Sisteron).
- By train: nearest stations cited by the office: Aix-en-Provence TGV, Les Arcs-Draguignan, Manosque-Gréoux; you then need a car or local transport.
- By air: Marseille Provence, Nice Côte d’Azur and Toulon-Hyères airports.
- Cycling and hiking: EuroVelo 8 passes a few kilometers from Aups; the GR 99, GR 49 and GR 4 long-distance trails reach the area.
Accessibility
The Lacs et Gorges du Verdon tourist office indicates, for each water-activity provider, whether it is wheelchair accessible independently, with help, or not accessible: check the rental or watersports center’s listing before booking.
Common mistakes
- Jumping from a cliff or the Galetas bridge: it is prohibited, and the Park points out that there are accidents every year.
- Bringing a combustion-engine boat: it is prohibited on the lake.
- Going up the gorge on a windy day: above 28 km/h (17 mph), it is closed by a line of buoys.
- Getting into a canoe or onto a paddleboard without a lifejacket: it is compulsory.
- Parking under cliffs or at the edge of eroded banks: risk of collapse and falling rocks.
- Lighting a stove or barbecue on the shore: any fire is strictly prohibited.
- Diving or freediving: prohibited because of the turbidity of the water.
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim in Lake Sainte-Croix?
Yes. Supervised swimming areas open in July and August at Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon, Bauduen, Les Salles-sur-Verdon and Galetas beach (Aiguines).
Are motor boats allowed?
Only electric motors are: combustion-engine boating is prohibited, except for rescue services. Speed limited to 20 km/h (12 mph).
Can you go up the Verdon Gorge by pedal boat from the lake?
Yes, from the Galetas bridge to the limit marked by yellow buoys, except when the wind exceeds 28 km/h (17 mph); it is prohibited for sailboats.
How big is Lake Sainte-Croix?
About 2,200 hectares (5,436 acres), which makes it the fourth-largest lake in mainland France by area.
What is the best month for Lake Sainte-Croix?
July and August for supervised swimming and the heat; June and September for still-high temperatures, according to the Météo-France normals for Valensole.
Can you camp by the lake?
No, wild camping is prohibited on the shores; stay in accommodation or an authorized campsite.
Our sources
- Verdon Regional Natural Park (parcduverdon.fr): navigation and safety on the Sainte-Croix reservoir, consulted on 23 October 2026 (emergency number confirmed on 11 November 2026)
- Lacs et Gorges du Verdon tourist office (lacs-gorges-verdon.fr): how to get there, water activities, consulted on 23 October 2026
- Wikipedia article “Lac de Sainte-Croix” (filling, area, villages, fishing), consulted on 23 October 2026
- Météo-France, Valensole climate sheet (04230001, 600 m), temperatures and precipitation established over 1995–2020
- Astronomical calculations: NOAA solar algorithm, applied by Destination de Voyage to the coordinates of the Météo-France Valensole station (15th of each month, year 2027, clear horizon at sea level)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026. Prices and hours may change: check the official website before you go.
