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The turquoise lake of the Basses Gorges du Verdon
Lac d'Esparron is a 328-hectare reservoir, created in 1967 by the Gréoux dam on the Verdon. It is the third largest lake in the Verdon, after Lac de Sainte-Croix and Lac de Castillon. It stretches between Esparron-de-Verdon, Saint-Julien and Gréoux-les-Bains, and extends all the way to Quinson through the Basses Gorges.
Smaller and more peaceful than Sainte-Croix, it captivates with its coves, limestone cliffs and one rule that changes everything: petrol engines are strictly forbidden. Here, you glide across the water by electric boat, sailboat, canoe or paddleboard, in near-perfect silence. Here is everything you need to know before you visit, from people who live beside the lake.
What makes this experience unique
Guide du Verdon
Swimming
Supervised beaches in summer, including the beach at the village of Esparron-de-Verdon. On the Saint-Julien side, a shaded cove makes for a wonderfully peaceful swim.
Electric boat
With petrol engines banned, an electric boat is the simplest way to explore the lake and the entrance to the Basses Gorges — no licence required.
Canoe & paddleboard
Sailing, paddleboarding and canoeing are all permitted across the lake. In high season, we recommend booking your hire in advance.
Basses Gorges
The reservoir extends some 8 km into the Basses Gorges, as far as Quinson. Music is forbidden during the crossing — you come here for the silence.
Access & car parks
Access via the lakeside road (D8) from Gréoux-les-Bains or Saint-Julien, or via the D315. In summer, arrive early — car parks fill up quickly.
Rules to observe
Wild camping and open fires are forbidden along the banks. The lake lies within the Parc naturel régional du Verdon: please take all litter with you when you leave.
Esparron-de-Verdon · Saint-Julien · Gréoux-les-Bains
A lake to be savoured at your own pace
In the morning, the water is glassy and the coves are still deserted — the perfect moment for a paddleboard or a quiet canoe.
In the afternoon, an electric boat lets you glide along the cliffs towards the entrance of the Basses Gorges, effortlessly and in complete silence.
At the end of the day, the raking light on the limestone cliffs offers the most beautiful photographs the lake has to give.
BookWhere to swim at Lac d'Esparron?
Swimming is centred around the designated beaches, which are supervised throughout the summer season. The beach at the village of Esparron-de-Verdon is the most accessible and the most family-friendly. On the Var side, the bank at Saint-Julien offers a shaded, more secluded cove — ideal for a quiet, unhurried swim.
As the lake is a dam reservoir, the depth reaches 55 metres directly above the Gréoux dam: please stay within the designated swimming areas, particularly with children, and respect the zones reserved for navigation. Outside of summer, there is no lifeguard supervision.
Electric boat, canoe, paddleboard: how to discover the lake
The ban on petrol engines makes Lac d'Esparron one of the most serene lakes in the Verdon. Three ways to explore it:
- Electric boat — no licence required, ideal for drifting along the banks and heading up towards the Basses Gorges. Perfect for a couple or for those who wish to soak up the scenery without any effort.
- Canoe-kayak — for reaching the hidden coves that cannot be accessed on foot. We recommend Canoeco Verdon (advance booking essential).
- Paddleboard — at daybreak, when the lake is a perfect mirror. Also available to book through the lake's hire operators.
Find our trusted activity partners on our canoe, paddleboard and electric boat at Lac d'Esparron page. Fishing is also permitted on the lake (second category), with the appropriate fishing licence.
Where to stay near Lac d'Esparron?
La Noccemada is nestled in the hamlet of Les Rouvières, in Saint-Julien-le-Montagnier — the Var commune that borders Lac d'Esparron all the way to the Basses Gorges. The Saint-Julien bank is around 8 km from the estate; the village of Esparron-de-Verdon is approximately thirty minutes by car, and Gréoux-les-Bains a mere quarter of an hour.
The estate offers two adults-only retreats: the Lodge Spirit of Bali, a private lodge for two with its own jacuzzi, and the Suite de la Bastide for two to four guests, with a 15-metre swimming pool. Each evening, Stephan — your private chef, trained in Michelin-starred restaurants, grand palaces in Geneva, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Monaco, aboard private yachts and with prestigious companies including Cunard and Seabourn — crafts a gastronomic dinner served alfresco, available on request at 110€ per person. A perfect way to bring a day at the lake to a close, without getting back behind the wheel.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ
Can you swim in Lac d'Esparron?
Yes. Swimming takes place on the designated beaches, which are supervised in summer, such as the beach at the village of Esparron-de-Verdon. The Saint-Julien bank also offers a shaded cove well suited to swimming. Outside of the summer season, there is no lifeguard supervision.
Are motorboats permitted on Lac d'Esparron?
No, petrol engines are strictly forbidden. Navigation is by electric boat (available to hire without a licence), sailboat, canoe-kayak or paddleboard.
How large is Lac d'Esparron?
Lac d'Esparron covers 328 hectares. Created in 1967 by the Gréoux dam, it is the third largest lake in the Verdon after Sainte-Croix and Castillon. The depth reaches 55 metres near the dam.
Can you reach the Basses Gorges du Verdon from the lake?
Yes. The reservoir extends some 8 km into the Basses Gorges as far as Quinson. You can venture in by electric boat, canoe or paddleboard. Music is forbidden during the crossing of the Basses Gorges.
How do you get to Lac d'Esparron and where can you park?
Access is via the lakeside road (D8) from Gréoux-les-Bains or Saint-Julien, or via the D315. Car parks are available near the beaches; in high season, it is advisable to arrive early.
Where to stay near Lac d'Esparron?
La Noccemada, in Saint-Julien-le-Montagnier, is around 8 km from the Saint-Julien bank. The estate offers a private lodge with jacuzzi for two and a suite for two to four guests, both exclusively for adults, with a private chef's dinner available on request.
After a day at the lake, a private lodge and a jacuzzi entirely to yourselves, just a few kilometres from the water's edge.
Lac d'Esparron: your guide to making the most of it
From 390€ / night
