Lake of Sainte-Croix Reservoir
Reservoir at Verdon Gorge with turquoise waters
The Lake of Sainte-Croix fills the Verdon Gorge's lower basin and serves as a hub for swimming, canoeing and paddle sports, with access to the gorge trails and lakeside villages.
Lake of Sainte-Croix at a Glance#
Address: Lac de Sainte-Croix, 83630 Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon, France
Website: https://www.lacdesaintecroix.fr/
How to Get to Lake of Sainte-Croix#
The lake is about 35-45 minutes’ drive from Castellane and 1.5 hours from Aix-en-Provence by car. Follow D71 / D955 to the villages of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon and Bauduen; public buses serve Castellane and regional hubs, with local connections in high season.
Tips for Visiting Lake of Sainte-Croix#
- Take a boat trip into the Gorges du Verdon if combining the lake visit with nearby attractions.
- Visit viewpoints at Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon and Bauduen for different perspectives on the turquoise water.
- Arrive early in summer - parking fills quickly and boat rentals are in high demand.
Best Time to Visit Lake of Sainte-Croix#
Late spring through early autumn is the prime season for lake activities; high summer is busiest.
Weather & Climate near Lake of Sainte-Croix#
Lake of Sainte-Croix's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 28°C. Moderate rainfall (696 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 2° - 11° | 4° | 72 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 3.8 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.2h |
| February | Good | 3° - 12° | 4° | 56 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 4.2 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.3h |
| March | Good | 4° - 14° | 7° | 51 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 4.5 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Very Good | 7° - 17° | 12° | 64 mm | partly cloudy | 71% | 4.7 m/s | 1.1 high | 13.3h |
| May | Very Good | 10° - 21° | 15° | 54 mm | partly cloudy | 66% | 3.9 m/s | 1.6 very high | 14.5h |
| June | Ideal | 14° - 25° | 19° | 37 mm | mostly sunny | 58% | 4.2 m/s | 2.0 very high | 15.2h |
| July | Ideal | 16° - 28° | 22° | 14 mm | mostly sunny | 51% | 3.9 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 14.9h |
| August | Ideal | 16° - 28° | 22° | 42 mm | mostly sunny | 53% | 3.7 m/s | 1.7 very high | 13.8h |
| September | Excellent | 13° - 24° | 19° | 64 mm | some cloud | 63% | 3.6 m/s | 1.1 high | 12.4h |
| October | Good | 10° - 19° | 15° | 102 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 3.7 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.9h |
| November | Good | 6° - 14° | 8° | 73 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 3.8 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.5h |
| December | Good | 3° - 11° | 5° | 67 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 3.6 m/s | 0.2 low | 8.8h |