Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon, French commune in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France
Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon is a small French commune perched above the turquoise Lake Sainte-Croix in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region. The settlement sits at roughly 1,700 feet (520 meters) elevation, with homes and facilities overlooking the water and the mountainous terrain beyond.
The community was reshaped when a dam was constructed between 1973 and 1975, creating the present-day lake and forcing residents to rebuild infrastructure. New bridges were constructed and several farms were relocated to adapt to the flooded landscape.
The settlement reflects the rhythms of water-based recreation, with locals and visitors sharing the lake for boating and swimming. Food culture here centers on regional cheeses, lamb, and honey from surrounding farms.
The village is accessible by road and offers direct access to the lake for swimming and water sports. Parking is available near the waterfront, and the beaches are open to the public year-round, though warm weather from late spring through early autumn provides the best conditions.
The lake serves as more than a recreation spot: it generates power through hydroelectric systems for the entire region. Specialized fire-fighting aircraft actually land on the water to refill their tanks and respond to wildfires across southern Provence.
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