No rafting possible on Lake Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon. And yes, for the practice of rafting, you need rapids! Difficult to find on a lake. For water sports enthusiasts, go rather to the top of this page and click on “Activities” For others, welcome to this article or we will tell you a little about this that you can do around and in the lake of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon.
Canoe and pedal boat on Lake Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon
If rafting is not possible on the lake, on the other hand, canoes and pedalos can be rented there in several places.
At the Pont de Galetas, several canoe and pedal boat rental companies are present. From there, you can go up for about two kilometers towards the big canyon. The scenery is splendid! Turquoise waters, cliffs that plunge into the water. Don’t miss the amazing tuff waterfall. This can give you an idea of what the Grand Canyon du Verdon looks like a little higher upstream. This course is very busy in summer, there are sometimes two hours of waiting for a boat at the height of the season. In recent years, the electric boat has also made its appearance. For the less athletic, what a joy to navigate effortlessly!
Sailing schools on lake Sainte-Croix
Other places on the shores of Lake Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon also offer the possibility of renting boats. This is the case of Sales-sur-verdon, Bauduen and the village of Sainte-Croix-du-verdon. These three villages are also home to sailing schools.
You can practice dinghies, catamarans or windsurfing. Three structures which welcome groups and individuals and which offer supervised or unsupervised nautical activities. The structure of Salles-sur-Verdon also offers land activities such as BMX, archery and hiking.
Les Salles-sur-verdon, Bauduen and Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon
The three villages which today border the Verdon. Their life was profoundly modified with the impoundment of Lake Sainte-Croix. These villages were once based on a fertile plain populated among other things, with fruit trees.
The Village des Salles was flooded by the lake. The one that can be seen today therefore dates from the 1970s. Bauduen and Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon found themselves in the right place, at the water’s edge. Bauduen in particular knew how to keep charm and authenticity. You can discover its oil mill and its 15th century ramparts. Do not miss the Provencal market of Sainte-Croix every Tuesday morning in July-August. You will find all the products of the region there.
The beaches of Lake Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon
It is indeed the water of the Verdon which fills the lake of Sainte-Croix. Heated by the sun in summer, it blithely exceeds 18 ° C. This contrasts with the temperature of the water in the Gorges. What a pleasure to swim without neoprene and laze on one of the lake beaches.
All the places mentioned above also offer supervised beaches or not but still very popular in July-August. You will also find catering services nearby.
However, in high season, you may want to find quieter places. You will then have to abandon the car and go on an adventure on the small paths leading to the water. With a little luck you will find a small cove just for you. Provide water and leave the place clean when you leave. Please note, we remind you that it is strictly forbidden to bivouac on the shores of the Verdon lakes, just like in the Gorges.