Saint-Vincent-les-Forts beach and nautical base
Water sports
MoreLake of Serre-Ponçon
A huge lake in the heart of the mountain
Lake Serre-Ponçon, located in the Alpes de Haute Provence region, combines nature and leisure activities. Its shores are home to beaches, coves, and hiking trails. The water, flowing from the Ubaye River, is ideal for water sports such as paddleboarding and kayaking. This area offers a diverse setting for visitors, combining relaxation and exploration.
Serre-Ponçon Lake: the largest artificial lake in France by volume
Lake Serre-Ponçon, between the Hautes-Alpes and Alpes de Haute Provence, surprises with its vast expanse of water, contrasting with the surrounding mountains. This landscape, worthy of a Mediterranean painting, does not, however, come from nature. It is the result of the construction of the dam, designed after the devastating floods of the Durance and Ubaye rivers in the 19th century.
Built between 1955 and 1960, the lake is now a real tourist attraction. 20 kilometers long and 3 kilometers wide at its maximum level, it contains 1.27 billion cubic meters of water, the equivalent of 320 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
To understand this feat, a visit to the hydroelectric power station allows you to discover the history and operation of the dam..
Did you know ?
The film L'eau vive by François Villiers, written by Jean Giono, retraces this construction and the relocation of several villages... Guy Béart wrote the beautiful song about it... L'eau vive.
Access and location
Reach Lake Serre-Ponçon
The lake is located in the north of the Alpes de Haute Provence department, on the border with the Hautes-Alpes. It is accessible from the D900 (Seyne-Barcelonnette) and D954 (Pontis) roads, which cross the mountains and connect the neighboring communes. In the Alpes de Haute Provence, it is particularly associated with the commune of Ubaye-Serre-Ponçon (born from the merger of La Bréole and Saint-Vincent les Forts), which is located nearby. Saint-Vincent-les-Forts, perched at an altitude of 1 meters, offers exceptional panoramas over the expanse of the lake of Serre-Ponçon.
Activities not to be missed at Lake Serre-Ponçon
There are a variety of activities for all tastes. Families will appreciate the supervised beaches, ideal for swimming and relaxing in complete safety. It is also possible to rent motorboats, canoes, or pedal boats..
Those seeking thrills can try water sports like water skiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, kite surfing, electric foiling (e-foil) and electric water scooters (e-scooters). Don't miss out on sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, or rowing. So many activities that will leave you with an indelible memory of Lake Serre-Ponçon.
All these activities are accessible on the Saint-Vincent-les-Forts beach in the commune of Ubaye-Serre-Ponçon.
Nature lovers will find wild coves to relax in, while fishermen will enjoy the richness of the lake..
Get out your fishing rods!
Lake Serre-Ponçon is rich in fish, with species such as pike, trout, arctic char, whitefish, as well as perch, carp, roach and bleak. This lake offers great fishing sessions, both for beginners and experienced anglers.
Paragliding: between lake and sky
Saint-Vincent-les-Forts is an ideal spot for paragliding, offering breathtaking views of the lakeWhether you are a beginner looking for a baptism or an experienced pilot, this site is perfect for flying independently or for a first experience.
Hiking trails around Lake Serre-Ponçon
There are some beautiful hikes to fully enjoy this corner of paradise that is the region around Lake Serre-PonçonAmong them, the Clot la Cime hike is a beautiful loop of nearly 13 km which begins in the village of La Bréole. The panorama at the summit over Lake Serre-Ponçon is exceptional.
Our selection of activities
Ideas for a stay around Lake Serre-Ponçon
The must-see lakes
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Where to stay?
For your vacation around the lake, explore our selection of hotels, campsites and guest houses to meet all your needs.
Where to eat?
To enjoy authentic local cuisine, discover the restaurants around the lake, between picturesque inns, terraces and gourmet tables with local flavors.
Highligths
Answers to your questions
The must-see lakes
Take a trip through the spectacular landscapes of our lakes...