The large lakes of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Mirror Lake is one of the lakes in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, situated at 2215 meters in the Queyras massif. The water of this lake reflects the surrounding mountain peaks with remarkable clarity, creating a perfect mirror of the surrounding landscape. This alpine lake offers hikers and nature enthusiasts opportunities to experience the mountain environment and observe local wildlife.

Sainte-Croix Lake is the third-largest lake in France, located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Fed by the Verdon river, the lake features equipped and supervised beaches. It is one of the major lakes in the region that stretch from the Southern Alps to the Verdon and offer swimming and water activities for visitors.

Esparron Lake is one of the large lakes of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, stretching along the Verdon river. Covering 328 hectares, this lake offers leisure areas and supervised swimming zones where visitors can enjoy water activities and relaxation.

Castillon Lake is a reservoir on the Verdon river with a surface area of around 500 hectares. The lake features three nautical bases and supervised beaches for visitors. It sits in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, where large lakes stretch from the Southern Alps to the Verdon. Like other lakes in this region, Castillon Lake offers swimming, water activities, and opportunities to observe local wildlife.

Saint-Cassien Lake is a 430-hectare lake in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region fed by the Biançon river. The lake features equipped beaches and water activities. It is part of the region's collection of large lakes that range from the Southern Alps to the Verdon, offering swimming, water sports, and opportunities to observe local wildlife.

Bimont Lake is an artificial water reservoir created in 1952 and located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. The lake covers 73 hectares and is held back by a 87 meter high dam. From here, you can see the Sainte-Victoire mountain. This lake is part of the regional waters that offer swimming, water sports, and opportunities to observe local wildlife.

Allos Lake is the largest natural altitude lake in Europe and sits within Mercantour National Park. This lake belongs to the high-altitude lakes of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, which stretch from the Southern Alps to the Verdon. At over 2,400 meters (7,874 feet), it offers hikers and nature lovers a chance to explore the alpine landscape. In winter, the lake freezes, creating a snow-covered winter setting.

Grand Lac de Monêtier is a natural lake in Écrins National Park, situated at an altitude of 850 meters (2,789 feet). The lake is surrounded by ridges and glaciers and is part of the large lakes of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, which stretch from the Southern Alps to the Verdon. These natural and artificial lakes offer swimming, water activities, and opportunities to observe local wildlife.

Serre-Ponçon Lake is an artificial lake in the collection of large lakes of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, covering 28 km² between Gap and Embrun. The lake is fed by the Durance and Ubaye rivers and offers equipped beaches and coves bordered by coniferous forests. It is one of the natural and artificial lakes in the region that provide opportunities for swimming, water activities, and observing local wildlife.

Peïroou Lake is a small body of water situated in the heart of the Alpilles, serving as a starting point for hiking trails that wind through the rocky hills of the region. It is part of the lakes of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur that offer swimming, water activities, and opportunities to observe local wildlife.

Orceyrette Lake is a glacial lake in this collection of large lakes of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Located at 2120 meters elevation, it can be reached by a mountain trail from the hamlet of Orceyrette. This lake sits among the altitude lakes of the Southern Alps that offer visitors a chance to experience the region's natural water environments.

The Rustrel Water Plan is an artificial basin located at the base of the Colorado Provençal, arranged for swimming and water activities. This lake is part of the larger lakes of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, where waters stretch from the Southern Alps to the Verdon and offer swimming, water sports, and opportunities to observe local wildlife.

Revest Lake is a water reservoir in the Var and part of the large lakes of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Spanning 10 hectares, this lake provides habitat for freshwater fish and aquatic birds, contributing to the diversity of waters that stretch from the Southern Alps to the Verdon.

Sainte-Anne Lake sits in the Écrins National Park at 2414 meters of altitude as part of the high mountain lakes found throughout the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Its waters are fed by snowmelt from the surrounding peaks. This alpine lake represents the type of natural water body that characterizes the highest elevations between the Southern Alps and the Verdon.

The Berre Pond is a large lagoon in the collection of lakes across the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. This water body spreads across 155 square kilometers and connects to the sea through the Caronte canal. It is the largest saltwater expanse in the region and hosts industrial and port facilities along its shores.

Pesquiers Pond in Hyères is part of the large lakes and water bodies of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. This 900-hectare wetland lies between Hyères and La Londe-les-Maures and shows the diversity of the region's water landscapes. Salt was produced here until 1995, after which the area developed into an important natural space. The pond offers opportunities for bird watching and gives a sense of the history of salt production along the coast.

The Embrun Water Plan is a 35-hectare leisure area on the Durance River, created by the Serre-Ponçon dam. This water body is part of the large lakes of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region and offers opportunities for water activities and sports. Visitors can swim, enjoy beaches and coves bordered by forests, and observe local wildlife throughout the seasons.

Redon Lake is a natural body of water nestled in the Maures massif and belongs to the lakes of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. It sits surrounded by Mediterranean forests and is accessible via a marked hiking trail. The lake offers a place to observe local wildlife and to swim in this forested setting.

The Lignin Lakes are part of the large lakes of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. These three natural lakes sit in the Mercantour National Park and can be reached by a hiking trail from the village of Colmars. The lakes offer views of the alpine landscape and mountain scenery of the southern Alps.

Verdet Lake is located in the Trois Évêchés massif in the southern Alps at 2503 meters elevation. This lake is part of the large lakes of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, which extend from the southern Alps to the Verdon. Positioned at the foot of Mount Verdet, the lake offers a place to explore nature at high altitude and observe local wildlife.

Pétrus Lake is a mountain body of water located in Mercantour National Park at 2304 meters altitude. This lake is part of the high-altitude lakes of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, which stretch from the Southern Alps to the Verdon. The lake is bordered by alpine meadows and rocks, offering a quiet place to observe local wildlife.

Niré Lake is part of the alpine lakes of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, situated at 2353 meters in the Mercantour massif. Its waters feed several mountain streams and contribute to the natural water landscape of the southern Alps.

Carcès Lake is a water reservoir covering 80 hectares located where the Caramy and Issole rivers meet. It is part of the lakes of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, which extend from the Southern Alps to the Verdon region. The lake supplies drinking water to the city of Toulon and offers opportunities for water activities and wildlife observation.

Lérié Lake is a natural mountain lake in the collection of large lakes of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Situated at 2450 meters in the Écrins massif, it sits in a glacial hollow ringed by rocky peaks. This high-altitude lake offers visitors clear water and dramatic mountain surroundings where hikers and nature lovers can experience pristine alpine environments.

Chaudanne Lake is an artificial reservoir created by the Chaudanne dam on the Verdon River. Part of the collection of large lakes in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region stretching from the Southern Alps to the Verdon, this lake extends about 3 kilometers downstream from Castillon Lake. Like other lakes in the region, it offers opportunities for swimming and water activities.

Montpezat Lake is a hydroelectric reservoir in the Alps of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Created in 1967 on the Verdon River, this lake serves the region's power generation needs. A 37-meter-high dam holds back the water across 80 hectares. The lake sits in a mountainous landscape and is part of the larger Verdon water system that shapes this Alpine region.

Zola Lake is a water reservoir built in 1854 to supply Aix-en-Provence. The dam stands 25 meters high and forms a lake covering 8 hectares. This lake is part of the larger network of natural and artificial lakes in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, which stretches from the Southern Alps to the Verdon and offers swimming, water activities, and opportunities to observe local wildlife.

Quinson Lake is a water reservoir of about 400 hectares formed by the Quinson dam on the Verdon River. It stretches over 11 kilometers through the gorges and is part of the large lakes of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, which range from the Southern Alps to the Verdon. The lake offers opportunities for swimming, water activities, and observing local wildlife.