Intense discoveries
Around the lake of Sainte-Croix of the Verdon River
It is such a source of pride for us that the Lake of Sainte-Croix is known as the “turquoise pearl” of the river Verdon. With its clear or deep blue waters, often turquoise and sometimes emerald, the immense lake is a pleasure to contemplate. The surrounding mountains, whether undulating or jagged, invite you to discover the surprises hidden in this vast landscape. In fact, the entire river Verdon (from its sources to its confluence) is a jewel of nature that touches you with its intensity.
We would like to make a few suggestions for visits, villages or places to discover in the vicinity of Sainte-Croix or a little further afield. Let’s start with the village of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon, to learn about its history. Next, we will head over to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, one of the most beautiful villages in France, famous for its earthenware. Not far away, we will continue towards the vertiginous Verdon Gorge, to conquer the Route des Crêtes or Crest Road. The geology marks the landscape with a special imprint that offers exceptional landscapes. To discover other remarkable landscapes, we invite you to discover the UNESCO Geopark of Haute Provence and the Valensole Plateau: the land of lavender.
Two villages, two stories, two characters. One is marked by the construction of the lake, the other seems to escape time, both perfectly illustrate the art of living in Provence today. To understand it, you have to walk the small streets of these villages and let yourself be carried away by their charm.
You are here in the heart of a vast preserved territory: the Verdon Regional Natural Park, where the human presence coexists respectfully with the fauna and flora. The Verdon has always been a strategic resource for man and his environment, and has created an extraordinary landscape: the Verdon Gorges.
Such landscapes make us wonder how they were formed and how humans settled and lived here. Discover a unique geological heritage through numerous preserved and developed sites. Two institutions reveal the secrets of the earth and life here: the UNESCO Geopark of Haute Provence and the Museum of Prehistory in Quinson.
The Verdon is often associated with the image of lavender and the essential oil of lavandin. And for good reason, the plateau of Valensole, which borders it, concentrates most of the French lavandin production. Here, “blue gold” is the official perfume of Provencal culture, revered every summer at harvest time.
