The Verdon Lakes

What activities are available on Lac de Sainte Croix?

Swimming at Lac de Sainte-Croix

Bauduen beach, a small pebble beach with lifeguard surveillance, is directly accessible from the campsite. In the extension of the main street (rue du petit four), after the nautical centre, you will discover other creeks, wilder and very quiet.

The most easily accessible and busiest beach is that of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon, at the bottom of the village. It is supervised and has ample parking and picnic areas.

Below the village of Salles sur VerdonThe beach is more private and shaded. You'll have a breathtaking view of the uninhabited island of Coste Belle, a real playground for children. The island is accessible by boat or pedalo for a family outing. The island offers magnificent views over the whole of Lac de Sainte-Croix.

You can also swim at the Galetas bridge which lies to the north of the lake, where the great Verdon canyon opens out. Here too, there are plenty of parking spaces for easy access to the lake. There are also shaded picnic areas. It's also the ideal starting point for exploring the Gorges, sailing the waters of the lake by electric boat from your campsite in the Verdon lakes.

Walks and hikes on Lac de Sainte-Croix, the most beautiful viewpoints.

During your holiday in the Verdon, enjoy numerous hiking trails  that criss-cross these breathtaking landscapes.

The Bauduen circuit runs alongside the lake, offering a loop around the peninsula. The route is well signposted and gives access to coves where you can swim in the turquoise waters. Bring your swimming costume!

To reach a road offering superb views of the lake, head towards Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, then on the road leading to Riez, turn left shortly after the roundabout. Wind your way up to the Valensole plateau, This route skirts the plateau and offers beautiful panoramic views over Lac de Sainte-Croix. The more athletic can take a hiking trail down from the plateau to the lake. You'll then have access to little-known coves where it's great to admire the turquoise water!

And, in order to benefit of the most beautiful sunsets on the lake, we recommend the Notre-Dame de Beauvoir viewpoint. This superb, listed chapel offers a panoramic view of the valley and lake, and is accessible via an easy, child-friendly and safe path.

Just as the sentier de Veris at Bauduen, which is easy and accessible to all, will give you one of the most beautiful views of the Lac de Sainte-Croix. Experienced hikers won't want to miss thea Montée du Grand Margès from Aiguines for an exceptional panorama.

Between the Gorges de Baudinard and Lac de Montpezat, downstream from Lac de Sainte-Croix, a superb path runs alongside the gorges. Grab your swimming costumes and descend halfway down to the small beach at Lac de Montpezat.

Places of interest around Lac de Sainte-Croix

During your stay in the Verdon, you can visit picturesque little villages clinging to the hills around Lake Sainte Croix. There are many wonderful things to discover with your family or friends.

The list is not exhaustive, of course, although we recommend that you visit some of our favourites.

Family discoveries

L'Art en Jouet on the village of Bauduen. You'll discover three imposing and enchanting Playmobils sets. Children love it, and adults can smell the nostalgia: not to be missed! Take a stroll around Bauduen and discover the remains of the 15th-century ramparts, the 17th-century oil mill and the sundial with its distinctive motto.

In Aiguines, the family can enjoy a day out near Lac de Saint-Croix at the museum of woodturners . A fun museum, run by people who are passionate about what they do. Their collection has been awarded the Musée de France label.

Aiguines and its fully restored château combine the charm of a Provencal village with a majestic, uninterrupted view over the lake and as far as the Valensole plateau. If you're lucky enough to visit Aiguines at the end of July, don't miss its potters' market to discover unique and original creations. Finally, a little further south, a number of villages are well worth a visit. These include Aups with its Clock Tower and its Provencal markets, or Montagnac-Montpezat and its lavender fields.

Don't miss the Sainte-Croix du Verdon market every Tuesday morning in summer. Once you've parked in the Bellevue car park, you can wander the market aisles and sample the local specialities: goat's cheese, honey, the scent of lavender and local crafts.

Book at camping Aux Vallons, camping Lacs du Verdon

Activities at Lake Quinson

At Lac de Quinson, you can swim at the many beaches downstream of the dam near the Quinson bridge, for example. Further upstream, the beach at Artignosc is more suitable for young children.

The Quinson water sports centre offers a wide range of activities, including canoe, pedalo and electric boat hire for a trip up the lower reaches of the Verdon to the Baudinard gorges. You'll be able to admire some extraordinary scenery along the way, and you'll be in for a real change of scenery! The lake also offers some great walks and hikes along the banks and higher up in the gorges. Please note that motor boats are not allowed on the lakes. The lake has plenty of parking and picnic areas for family breaks.

If you're passing through Lac de Quinson, stop off at the village of the same name. As well as discovering a village full of character, you'll find the Musée de la Préhistoire, Europe's largest prehistory museum! It features a faithful reproduction of the 40,000-year-old Baume cave and computer-generated images showing the major stages in history on a geological scale. The museum tells the story of the region, from the dawn of mankind to the Roman conquest. Try your hand at early man's handiwork: flint knapping, archery, making a fire...

What to do at Lac de Quinson

During your visit to the lake, you'll find plenty of cafés and restaurants to choose from. The perfect opportunity to enjoy the view and the fresh air!

The most beautiful viewpoints in Quinson

Le village of Quinson is surrounded by limestone cliffs that offer a beautiful panoramic view of the lake. If you go higher up, onto the plateau, you can see the whole village of Quinson and its lake.

One of the most beautiful outings is undoubtedly ". the low gorges hike "or Garde-Canal hike ". For 1 hour 30 minutes (short version), you'll hike over the water via a series of pontoons, suspension bridges and specially-designed ledges. This walk is accessible to all. Ask at the campsite for other ideas for walks in the Verdon.

location camping lacs Verdon

The beaches of Lake Esparron

Almost all the beaches are accessible on foot along the path that was once used to watch over the sea. Canal de Provence.

You can go swimming near the village of Esparron. After a 10-minute walk, you'll find a number of small lakes. very pleasant coves to take a dip.

On the Other Shore Gréoux-les-bains. You can swim in the Saint Julien beachthe best-known. Here you can hire electric boats, canoes or pedalos, an environmentally-friendly way of preserving the natural beauty of this magnificent site.

For added peace and quiet, you can opt for the Lac Sauvage beach on the road to Gréoux les Bains as you approach Esparron. Find out in advance as access to this beach is not easy as it is not very visible.

Activities at Lake Esparron

As on the other Verdon lakes, you can enjoy most water sports activities: Canoeing, electric boats, rowing, sailing not forgetting swimming with the family.

To discover the lake with your family or friends, we recommend the one-hour cruise from Esparron to the Lower Gorges. Get your cameras ready for some magnificent shots of the Verdon wilderness! Remember to book in advance.

To admire the magnificent lavender fields, head to the Valensole plateau on the lavender and lavandin route! You can stop off to visit sites and museums that will give you a better understanding of lavender production and its by-products.

Esparron-le-Verdon low gorges gateway

Exploration of the lower gorges by canoe or electric boat

The village of Esparron de Verdon, a typical village with its magnificent castle and its 11th-century tower will be the perfect opportunity for a family outing.

To discover the low gorges, the electric boats are the best way to navigate. They don't require a licence and can be driven by anyone, including children, under the supervision of an adult of course. Take the trouble to book in advance, as demand is high and the fleet of boats is limited in order to reduce the environmental impact of tourism on nature!

Don't forget your picnic, sun cream and bottle of water.

Once you've hired your boat or canoe, you'll set off on a 10km trip to take in the breathtaking scenery. You'll come across a number of caves that were once inhabited by early man and can only be seen from the boat. Sail carefully and admire a landscape that is unique in the world.

The crystal-clear waters of the Verdon and the absence of currents are an invitation to swim. Lake Esparron and the lower gorges are less popular. You'll easily find a quiet spot to a family picnic. With children, it's the ideal way to experience the thrill of adventure in unspoilt wilderness!

Stop off at l'île du BarbuJust opposite Esparron, a heavenly peninsula with coves, inlets and lush green meadows. You can settle down for a siesta in the shade of an oak or olive tree. A real children's playground.

We hope these details will help you organise your holiday in the lower Gorges du Verdon.

We would like to thank the excellent Verdon Secret.com from which we drew inspiration for this article.

campsite lacs du Verdon