Plateau of Valensole A picturesque little Provencal town, Valensole is well named: it comes from Vallis and Sallis, the “Valley of the Sun”. The...
The lake of Sainte-Croix du Verdon
The lake of Sainte-Croix du Verdon is located in the Alpes de Haute Provence on an area of 22km² and surrounded by several villages: Sainte-Croix du Verdon, les Salles-sur-Verdon, Bauduen, Aiguines, Moustier-Sainte-Marie and Baudinard-sur-Verdon.
What is the history of the lake of Sainte-Croix du Verdon?
The lake of Sainte-Croix was put in water in the 70’s after the construction of the EDF hydro-electric dam of Sainte-Croix on the course of the Verdon river creating the 4th largest artificial water reservoir in France. This dam was created in order to produce electricity for the whole valley.
Today, it is one of the most popular destinations in the region with several tourist activities on the lake of Sainte-Croix or on its grounds. You will find there mainly boat rentals such as canoes, pedal boats, paddle boats, electric boats with the possibility to go up the end of the Grand Canyon du Verdon on 2 kilometers from the famous Pont de Galetas (if the access conditions allow it).
Other activities around the lake are possible such as guided rides on
all-terrain electric scooters
.
When the water was put in, the villages of Sainte-Croix and Bauduen (initially planned to be destroyed) were finally spared, unlike the village of Les Salles-sur-Verdon which was swallowed up after being destroyed. It was then rebuilt on the heights, which is why it may seem less ancient and “modern” than other Provencal villages.
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