Lake of Sainte-Croix

Lake of Sainte-Croix is a reservoir in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France, that spreads at the end of the Verdon Gorge and shows turquoise water. The shore alternates between pebble coves and gentle hills, while sailboats and canoes glide across the surface.

The dam rose between 1971 and 1974 and flooded several hamlets along with the old village of Les Salles, which was rebuilt stone by stone at a higher elevation. Today only the ruins of a bridge and a church tower under water recall the vanished settlements.

The name recalls a medieval priory that once stood on the original shore before the valley was flooded. Today visitors rent pedal boats and small electric craft to view the Verdon cliffs from the water.

On warm days you can swim at several beaches, where the water reaches comfortable temperatures in summer. Boats may run only with electric motors or muscle power to protect the calm and cleanliness of the reservoir.

When the water level drops in spring, wall remains and old street lines from the sunken village sometimes reappear. On windless days the white cliffs of the gorge reflect so clearly in the water that photographers can hardly tell sky from surface.

Location: Alpes-de-Haute-Provence

Inception: January 1, 1973

Elevation above the sea: 470 m

Address: Lake of Sainte-Croix, France

GPS coordinates: 43.76361,6.18389

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:58