Activities around Saint-Croix lake

30 March 2021

With more than 300 days of sun per year and with its unique turquoise color, going to Sainte Croix Lake is like a trip inside a postcard. Its nautical activities and access inside one of Europe highest canyon makes it a must see destination during your stay in Provence. Alone, with a spouse or with your family, be ready to live an unforgettable experience.

Nautical Bases around Sainte-Croix Lake

In Moustiers-Sainte-Marie you will find 2 nautical bases. L’Etoile boat rental at Galetas Bridge and la Cadéno boat rental on one of the most beautiful Sainte-Croix’s beaches.

L’Etoile Boat Rental

From Moustiers-Sainte-Marie take the direction of Les Salles-sur-Verdon on the D952. Before crossing Galetas Bridge you will find a parking lot on your right. The base is on the beach, with numerous pedal and electric boats, canoes and kayaks. You are only a few meters away from the Canyon entrance.

To have the perfect experience, favour the mornings. The water is still, the light is soft, you can only hear the sound of your paddles.

What are the rates ?

It depends on the rental. There are no reservation for l’Etoile Boat Rental. You can rent your boat for one or 2 hours maximum. This will be enough to go in and out the Verdon Gorges (only 2km are allowed for sailing).

For a pedal boat : 20€/1hour. The one person canoes / kayaks : 10€/1hour. The two or three persons canoes / kayaks : 20€/1hour.

La Cadeno Boat Rental

On one of the most beaches of the Lake you will find serenity. Only 5km away from Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, you will find a little paradise with the possibility to rent a sunbed for the day and enjoy the sound of the cicadas next to a snack area.

La Cadeno boat rental also rents canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and paddles.

More information on the rates ?

Salaing courses on Sainte-Croix Lake

Our partnership with Association Voile et Nautisme 04, situated at Sainte-Croix village (15km from Moustiers-Sainte-Marie) offers multiple activities on the Lake.

On top of renting boats, this nautical base offers the possibility to have saling sessions and sailing trips on the Sainte-Croix Lake. You could also do rowing. For the youngest (5 to 17 years old) : sessions called « petits pirates » (small pirates) happen every Wednesday and Saturday to learn about sailing while having a blast.

A stroll around the lake

A GRP (Grande Randonnée de Pays) was drawn around Sainte-Croix Lake. It is a 5 to 6 days itinirary you could hike by portions. For example from Moustiers-Sainte-Marie you can walk to the lake : 1h15, or to the Galetas Bridge : 2h.

Cultural activities

Because culture is important too ! Escape the heat of the sun by visiting our museums or the shadowed mediaeval streets of our samll villages.

Which village to visit around the lake ?

The three main villages around the Lake are Sainte-Croix du Verdon, Les Salles-sur Verdon and Bauduen. Two more villages are a little further apart : Aiguines (just under the enormous mountain of Grand Margès and with an astonishing view of the Lake) and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie of course !

© Valentin Pacaut - The Explorers

Moustiers-Sainte-Marie : 5 minutes away from Sainte-Croix Lake

Indeed, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, made Most Beautiful Village of France in 1981 is only 10 minutes away from Sainte-Croix Lake with your car. One more reason for you to go enjoy the turquoise waters.

Our village is one of a kind, its unique setting and heritage is a must see. It all starts with the visit of the earthenware museum.

The earthenware museum

The earthenware museum is open every day except Tuesday from 10am to 12 :30am and from 2pm to 7pm (in July and August). To know the rest of the year timetable click on the button below. This museum brings you back to the very begining of this craft. It take aproximatly 1h30 to go round it. Free for kids up to 16 years old.

This museum brings you back to the very begining of this craft. It take aproximatly 1h30 to go round it. Free for kids up to 16 years old.

If anyone still has a doubt on which village to choose for his Verdon holiday, there’s an easy answer : Moustiers-Sainte-Marie ! Why ? Because it is one of the most beautiful villages of France, idealy situated 10 minutes away from the Sainte-Croix Lake and the Verdon Gorges. Moreover, it is aproximatly 10 minutes away from the first lavender fields of Valensole’s Plateau.

Where to eat when in Sainte-Croix’s Lake ?

As stated before : La Cadeno Boat Rental has a small snack service with crêpes, paninis and fresh beverages. You also have restaurants options in the villages of Sainte-Croix, Les Salles sur Verdon and Bauduen. You will also find sandwiches on the side of the Galetas Bridge.

For more options : find the complete list of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie’s restaurants and snacks. You will have choices from the 1 star snack all the way to the gastronomic restaurant of Alain Ducasse. Our advice : make a reservation !

How to reach Sainte-Croix Lake ?

In between 2 departments (Alpes de Haute Provence and Var), the Lake as many access points.

If you’re comming from Nice or from the Var, leave the highway direction Draguignan, then Aups and Les Salles sur Verdon. To enjoy l’Etoile and La Cadeno’s activities, you only have to cross the Galetas Bridge.

If you’re coming from Bouches du Rhône, take the A51 highway and leave it at Vinon/Cadarache. You will cross Gréoux-les-Bains, Riez and some other villages before reaching Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, then the Lake. You can start your holiday !

Other access to Sainte-Croix Lake

The A51 highway is your best option even from other places. Leave at Manosque and follow Valensole’s direction. You will cross the plateau and Puimoisson before reaching Moustiers.

Other roads are obviously possible, you can click here and download the free map of the Verdon territory to give you an overview of our territory.