Lake Sainte-Croix: beaches, villages and swimming

Lake Sainte-Croix is a reservoir created by EDF on the Verdon river, filled in 1973, where the Verdon Gorge opens out. It covers about 2,200 hectares, is 11 km long and 3 km wide, and up to 93 m deep. Three villages line its shores: Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon, Bauduen and Les Salles-sur-Verdon, rebuilt after the old village was flooded. Their beaches are lifeguarded in July and August. From Tourtour, Bauduen is 34 minutes away by road.

Key facts

Area: about 2,200 ha, the 4th largest lake in mainland France.
Filled: 1973, after the Sainte-Croix dam was built.
Swimming: lifeguarded beaches in July and August at Sainte-Croix, Bauduen and Les Salles.
Boats: petrol engines are banned, only electric power and sail are allowed.
From Tourtour: Bauduen 34 min, Les Salles 37 min, Galetas bridge 41 min.

The lake in figures

Landmark	Value
Type	reservoir on the Verdon, operated by EDF
Filled	August 1973, final filling on 15 November 1973
Area	about 2,200 ha (22 km²)
Dimensions	11 km long, 3 km wide
Maximum depth	93 m
Altitude	470 m
Rank	4th largest lake in mainland France by area

The lakeside villages

Three villages line the lake. From Tourtour, all of them are less than 45 minutes away.

Village	From Tourtour	Good to know
Bauduen	29 km, 34 min	Village clinging to the hillside above the water, lifeguarded beach in summer
Les Salles-sur-Verdon	33 km, 37 min	Village rebuilt after the old one was flooded
Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon	38 km, 45 min	Beach at the foot of the village

The village of Bauduen on its hill above the turquoise water of Lake Sainte-Croix — Bauduen, on the shore of Lake Sainte-Croix. Photo: Ianaré Sévi, CC BY-SA 3.0

The drowned village of Les Salles-sur-Verdon

When the lake was filled in 1973, the old village of Les Salles-sur-Verdon disappeared under the water. It was rebuilt higher up, on the new shore. The planned water level had been lowered to 482 m back in 1968, which spared Bauduen and Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon.

Swimming

Swimming is lifeguarded in July and August on the beaches of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon, Bauduen and Les Salles-sur-Verdon. Access is free. A few rules to know:

boats are not allowed in the swimming areas, marked out by lines of buoys;
access to the shore on the dam side is forbidden;
outside July and August, swimming is not lifeguarded.

The Galetas beach, below the bridge of the same name in the municipality of Aiguines, marks the entrance to the gorge.

Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon beach with swimmers and sailing boats on the lake — Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon beach in summer. Photo: Chabe01, CC BY-SA 4.0

On the water

Petrol engines are banned: you sail in a licence-free electric boat, a pedalo, a canoe, on a paddleboard or under sail. Pedalos and small boats are mostly available from June to September. The classic outing: set off from the Galetas bridge and paddle up the gorge between the cliffs. See boat hire and kayaking in the gorge.

In summer, Canadair water bombers come to scoop water from the lake to fight wildfires: give them room if they approach.

The best route from Tourtour

Allow half an hour to Bauduen. For a full day, combine the lake in the morning with Moustiers-Sainte-Marie in the afternoon, or carry on to the Verdon Gorge.

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Frequently asked questions

Where can you swim in Lake Sainte-Croix?

On the beaches of the three lakeside villages, Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon, Bauduen and Les Salles-sur-Verdon, where swimming is lifeguarded in July and August. The Galetas beach, at the entrance to the gorge, is another option.

What is the drowned village of Lake Sainte-Croix?

The old village of Les Salles-sur-Verdon, flooded when the lake was filled in 1973. The village was rebuilt higher up, on the shore of the new lake.

Can you use a motorboat on Lake Sainte-Croix?

No, petrol engines are banned. Only electric motors and sail are allowed, which is why electric boats can be hired without a licence.

How deep is Lake Sainte-Croix?

93 m at its deepest, at an altitude of 470 m.

What is the most beautiful village around Lake Sainte-Croix?

Bauduen, clinging to the hillside above the water, and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, a little further north, listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France.