Attractions and Places To See around Lac de Sainte-Croix - Top 20

Beyond the lake itself, you can explore the magnificent Gorges du Verdon, often called the "Grand Canyon of Europe." The Sainte-Croix bridge offers stunning views of the Verdon River entering the lake. A short drive away, the Plateau de Valensole is famous for its vast lavender fields blooming between June and July.

Several charming villages dot the lake's shores. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is renowned for its earthenware and dramatic setting. Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon and Les Salles-sur-Verdon offer supervised beaches and amenities. Bauduen is a historic village with a marina and traditional markets, while Aiguines provides stunning views and a Museum of Woodturning.

The lake is perfect for non-motorized water activities. You can rent pedal boats, canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and electric boats from various nautical bases. The lake's exceptional water quality and tranquility are preserved by prohibiting combustion engine boats.

Yes, the Verdon Regional Natural Park offers numerous trails for hiking. You can find a variety of routes, including easy hikes and more challenging ones. For example, there are routes like the "Lake Sainte-Croix – Galetas Bridge loop" or the "Bauduen – View of Lac de Sainte-Croix loop." You can find more details on these and other routes in the Easy hikes around Lac de Sainte-Croix guide.

Excellent viewpoints include the Sainte-Croix bridge, which offers panoramic views of both the lake and the Verdon River. The area around Verdon Gorge to Lake Sainte-Croix also provides breathtaking vistas of the gorges. Additionally, the heights of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon and Saint Pierre chapel in Aiguines offer superb perspectives.

Absolutely. Lac de Sainte-Croix is considered a family-friendly natural monument. There are supervised beaches in villages like Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon, Les Salles-sur-Verdon, and Bauduen, perfect for swimming and relaxing. The non-motorized water sports are also suitable for families.

The region is particularly beautiful from June to July when the lavender fields on the Plateau de Valensole are in full bloom, offering an iconic Provençal landscape. The summer months are ideal for water sports and enjoying the beaches, though it can be quite popular.

Yes, the roads around the lake offer scenic drives and numerous trails for cycling. You can find various road cycling routes, such as the "Aiguines – lake view loop" or the "Sainte-Croix bridge – View of Esparron Castle loop." Explore more options in the Road Cycling Routes around Lac de Sainte-Croix guide.

Visitors frequently praise the stunning turquoise waters of the lake and the dramatic scenery of the Gorges du Verdon. Many appreciate the panoramic views from spots like the Sainte-Croix bridge and the opportunity to enjoy a variety of water activities. The charming villages and scenic trails also receive high marks.

Yes, for those seeking a more strenuous experience, there are challenging trails like the "Rocky trail with lake views" in the Verdon Regional Natural Park. This trail requires sure-footedness and offers incredible lake vistas. You can also find more difficult mountain hikes, such as the "Point vue Col d'Illoire loop," in the Mountain Hikes around Lac de Sainte-Croix guide.

Yes, you can find a public fitness trail under oak trees directly by the lake. This circuit offers about 15 stations with varying levels of difficulty, making it a great option for incorporating into a run or for a full-body workout in a natural setting.