Activities at Lake Serre-Ponçon

Dive headfirst into the activities at Lake Serre-Ponçon, from water sports and cultural visits to outdoor adventures, local cuisine, and nature. Whether you’re on a family vacation, a romantic weekend, or a day out with friends, there’s something for everyone! Swimming, boat or paddle rentals, mountain biking, paragliding, wine cellars, hiking, and heritage experiences await.

Presentation of the Serre-Ponçon lake

Lake Serre-Ponçon is located at the crossroads of the Hautes-Alpes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. A major tourist destination in the Southern Alps, it enjoys abundant sunshine while offering coolness and a wide range of activities. It’s often called “the sea in the mountains,” as you can go hiking at 2,000 meters in the morning and be sunbathing on a rental boat in the middle of the lake just a few hours later. Lake Serre-Ponçon ranks as the largest artificial lake in France and is home to one of the largest earth dams in Europe.

A natural setting

The lake is nestled within unspoiled natural landscapes, surrounded by spectacular mountain ranges such as:

Exceptional water

Its lagoon-blue color comes from its tributaries, such as the Ubaye and the Durance, which fill the lake with minerals and sediments, giving it an unforgettable turquoise hue. The sense of escape is total—you’ll feel like you’re in the coral reef of a tropical island!

Only about fifteen kilometers of shoreline are developed out of a total of 90 km. Nature dominates the landscape, made up of mountains and forests. The steep slopes of these mountains prevent any construction, ensuring that Lake Serre-Ponçon remains free from overdevelopment.

A historic dam

Following floods and water shortages that affected local life in the late 19th century, the idea of building a dam to create a water reservoir took shape around 1959. The newly formed lake became the largest water reservoir in France and serves as the main water source for the Provence region, supporting both agriculture and drinking water supply. It covers over 2,800 hectares, stretches 20 km in length, and spans 3 km in width.

Visit of Serre-Ponçon lake

Lake Serre-Ponçon is home to several sites well worth a visit:

La chapelle St Michel
Le barrage et la maison de l’eau et des énergies
Le muséoscope du lac
The Center of Architecture and Patrimoine in Savines
Visit the lake by boat
The hanging oak of Bois-Vieux
The lake of St Apollinaire
The cascade de la Pisse
The Giants' pot

Water sports at Serre-Ponçon lake

Around ten developed beaches await you all around the lake, along with natural, wild coves accessible by boat or canoe. The water is crystal clear, and an Aquasplash park in Ubaye Serre-Ponçon offers hours of fun.

For boating, 13 ports and docks around the lake offer mooring spots. All types of licenses are accepted for navigation (offshore, inland, coastal). You can launch your own boat or rent one to enjoy a range of water activities. With boats that are powerful enough, you can also try towable tubes, water skiing, or wakeboarding. Sightseeing boats are also available on the Embrun lakefront.

Water fun also includes lighter craft such as:

From June to September, you can rent this equipment from a nautical base. Whether to enhance or spice up your swim, it’s the perfect way to spark adventure and explore the lake.

Sports activities Serre-Ponçon

Cultural outings in Serre-Ponçon

Heritage and history

with sites such as the Abbey of Boscodon, Saint-Pierre Square in Barcelonnette, or the Château des Magnans in Jausiers

Arts and museums

with the Capucins Contemporary Art Center in Embrun or the Muséoscope of the Lake

Theaters and cinemas

Théâtre La Passerelle à Gap, les cinémas de Gap et d’Embrun

Enjoy nature in Serre-Ponçon

The parc National des Ecrins

Endless hikes to alpine lakes, waterfalls, forests, and mountain pastures are among the activities offered by the Écrins National Park, which stretches from the lake’s edge all the way to snow-capped peaks over 3,000 meters high.

Hikes

Circle the lake, explore Chanteloube and Saint-Michel, take in the breathtaking views from Pic du Morgon or Saint-Apollinaire, conquer the Aiguilles de Chabrières, Réallon, or Les Orres, and wander the trails on the Ubaye side. Choose your own level of difficulty and hike duration through the stunning landscapes of the Southern Alps.

Fishing

Fishing is known to be excellent at Lake Serre-Ponçon! Whitefish, pike, carp, and trout inhabit its waters. Fishing is allowed year-round in accordance with regulations. A catch-and-release (no-kill) zone is available at the mouth of the Durance. The lake is classified as a “Passion Course” by the Hautes-Alpes Fishing Federation.