The Lac de Sainte-Croix is a large reservoir at the exit of the Verdon Gorge in the French Alps in the department Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
Regions
The Lac de Sainte-Croix was created by damming the Verdon and expands from the exit of the Verdon Gorge between High plateau of Valensole and the Plan de Canjuers.
The reservoir developed together with the one located a little upstream Lac de Castillon a recreational area that attracts water sports enthusiasts and hikers. The reservoir is operated by Electricité de France. All motorboat traffic with the exception of electrically operated boats is prohibited, which has kept the area exceptionally calm.
The places in the area have often undergone a somewhat unusual development from a mountain village to a water sports resort.
places
- Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon is located on the southwest bank, the old village center, similar to an eagle's nest, has been expanded to include a campsite and water sports infrastructure on the lake shore.
- the locality Building is at the southern end of the lake
- Les-Salles-sur-Verdon was built as a "retort" holiday resort on the new lakeshore in the 1970s, here the inhabitants of the old village of the same name, sunk on the bottom of the lake, found accommodation. The place with holiday apartments and campsites boasts of being one of the youngest towns in France and mainly attracts night owls and younger holidaymakers.
- at the bridge over the Verdon, on Pont-de-Galetas boat and pedalo rental companies have established themselves who offer trips to the lower part of the Verdon Gorge.
Other goals
- at the northern end, on the course of the Petit Lac leading into the lake Maire is the picturesque mountain village Moustiers-Sainte-Marie.
- from the place Aiguines high above the lake on the D71, the southern route around the Verdon Gorge, offers a great view over the lake.
- the city Castellane is at the top of the Verdon Gorge.
- a few kilometers west of the lake lies in Plateau de Valensole the city Riez.
- below the dam are the lower Verdon gorges with Quinson, Esparron-de-Verdon at the lake of the same name and Gréoux-les-Bains.
background
After a trip by Georges Clémenceau at the beginning of the 20th century. Ideas for a damming of the Verdon to use hydropower arose, the plans drawn up before World War II were vigorously pursued from 1962 onwards. Initially, a damming up to a height of 500m was planned. After complaints from the affected population in three settlements planned for resettlement, the damming was only realized up to a height of 482 m. Only one town fell victim to the plan. The dam was put into operation in August 1973.
language
French, partly Occitan / Provencal dialect.
getting there
By plane
The closest airports are
By train
The closest train stations are those of Manosque the SNCF respectively Digne-les-Bains the Chemin de Fer de Provence.
By bus
Bus connections exist from Manosque above Riez and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie continue until two to three times a day Digne-les-Bains) and on the line Castellane - Moustiers - Riez until after Marseille as well as between Moustiers and Aups in the south.
In the street
The fastest road connection is the one via Lyon - Valence on the A7 - Autoroute du Soleil, continue a short section on the A8 and then from the south on the A51 to 
Vinon / Cadarache and beyond Gréoux-les-Bains and Riez or over Manosque and from there over Manosque, Valensole and Riez, from where the D952 to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie and on to the Lac de Sainte-Croix leads.
Whoever crosses the Verdon Gorge by private vehicle from Castellane coming from the D952 has bypassed, comes from the east to the northern end of the lake.
From the south of the French Riviera resp. the A8 coming here offers the way over Draguignan and Aups on, all entrances lead over quite winding country roads.
mobility
The easiest way to get around the lake is with your private vehicle or bike, bus route 1005 Aups - Moustiers the VarLib leads along the eastern shore of the lake.
Tourist Attractions
Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon
The locality 1 Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon with 125 inhabitants was before the construction of the reservoir on a slope above the Verdon, which is why the old town center is still up on the edge of the high plateau. Only when the lake was dammed was Sainte-Croix a beach with a bay, pedal boats and surfboards for hire, including the communal one 1 The campsite was set up with some terracing in the upper parts of the new lower district on the lake shore. Parking spaces can be found at the top east of the town center and near the lake to the east / below the campsite.
In the medieval town center there are several restaurants near the church (from the 16th century, restored), some with great panoramic terraces.
Barrage de Sainte-Croix
The D111 leads past one 2 Bathing bay, reached via a steep, washed-out lane, to a bridge at the outflow of the Verdon from the lake, the real one 3 The dam is a few meters further downstream.
The ravines close to the dam Gorges du Baudinard (with hiking trails along the south bank), further downstream follow the lower Gardon gorges with several reservoirs.
Building
The place 4 Building was already settled in Roman times, the Roman road to Riez led past the settlement. The place is mentioned in a document around 1060 as Balduini Castri. The agricultural town experienced an upswing as a tourist destination after the damming of the Lac de Sainte-Croix in the 1970s.
In the village with its 300 inhabitants today, there are Romanesque streets in the center with its alleys connected by stairs Saint-Pierre & Saint-Paul Church, Fortification walls and remains of a tower from the 15th century. and the "Chateau", a mansion from the 16th century. to see. Medieval wash fountains and the house of the local patron, Bishop Saint-Lambert complete the short tour of the town.
Various water sports (swimming, surfing, pedal boating, sailing) are offered on the shores of Lac de Sainte-Croix. Circular walks are signposted on the headland to the north Aiguines coming after Quinson leading long-distance hiking trail GR99 circles this in two variants and leads through Bauduen.
Accommodation options (several campsites at the southern end of the lake) and restaurants are on the Website listed by the tourist office.
Les-Salles-sur-Verdon
With the damming of the Lac de Sainte-Croix, the old town became Les Salles abandoned at 450 m altitude, it sank in the reservoir and the population became new 5 Les-Salles-sur-Verdon Relocated at an altitude of 510 m.
The village of Les Salles on the Verdon plain was founded in the 12th and 13th centuries. Century Mentioned in a document as a property of the von Moustiers family, later it came under the jurisdiction of Riez. When the Lac de Sainte-Croix was dammed, the houses were demolished, the last residents evacuated in March 1974 and the local church blown up on March 5, 1974 before the water from the reservoir covered the former village. The new one was on the bank Salles-sur-Verdon which sees itself as one of the youngest municipalities in France. The rebuilt village wells and wash houses and the memorial are reminiscent of the old village.
The place is now adjusted to water sports and summer tourism, several campsites and apartments offer accommodation, information on the Website the community.
Aiguines
As early as 1021 a fortress was used as a Castrum de Aquina officially mentioned that 6 The village grew and at the end of the 16th century. was that 7 Castle of Aiguines rebuilt. The agricultural region experienced a modest industrialization with the advent of the production of pétanque balls. The community saw the expansion of the D71 - Corniche sublime on the south side of the Verdon Gorge until 1950 and the loss of large parts of the municipality due to the establishment of the 35,000 hectare military site Camp de Canjuers in the area of the high plateau Plan de Canjuers in 1968 and when the Lac de Sainte-Croix was dammed in 1974.
Today counts Aiguines 260 inhabitants and is oriented towards agriculture and tourism. Most of the visitors visit the Verdon Gorge and practice water sports on the lake, from 8 Pont d'Artuby bungee jumping is practiced.
Pont de Galetas
At the exit of the Verdon Gorge spans the 9 Pont de Galetas the river as it enters the Lac de Sainte-Croix. One of them is on the road leading to the south 2 Camping Le Galetas, on the other hand 10 Lakeshore a parking lot and the facilities of several boat rentals and a monitored beach. From here it is a good idea to go to the absolutely impassable on the lower reaches Canyon du Verdon to explore by canoe or pedal boat, thanks to the damming of the lake, the route is practically without a current and also absolutely problem-free for beginners, which cannot be said of the river rafting tours further upriver.
activities
- numerous types of water sports: swimming (practically in the whole lake), surfing, sailing, paddling
- Hiking, cycling
- Visit to the Prehistoric Museum in Quinson.
kitchen
In the villages around the lake there are various options, from fast food to upscale restaurants, information in the local articles or. the websites of the tourist information offices.
Be local in holm oak forests truffle won, the viticulture in the region around the Lac de Sainte-Croix was stopped in the middle of the last century, but more olive trees were planted for oil production.
nightlife
In the summer season there are discos, some of which are open-air Les-Salles-sur-Verdon and Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon.
security
The security situation in the mountainous hinterland in Provence is harmless, valuables should not obviously be left in the vehicle.
On climbing and canyoning tours in the Verdon Gorge you should only venture with the appropriate experience and under expert guidance (preferably by a local tour operator who is familiar with the local conditions). The paddling tour in the lowest kilometers of the Verdon Gorge is harmless and also feasible for beginners, the safety instructions must be observed and the life jackets provided must be worn.
climate
There is a hot Mediterranean climate in summer, near the mountains there can be short and violent thunderstorms even in the hot summer months.
