Provence is a land that is home to lakes and rivers of great beauty.
From the magnificence of Lac de Sainte-Croix to the lagoon ofEtang de Berre, a sight not to be missed.
For a swim, a walk, a water sports session or a lazy break on the water, Provence’s lakes and rivers are undoubtedly the perfect places.
THE LAKES OF SAINTE CROIX AND ESPARRON
In the heart of the Verdon, straddling the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and the Var, is Lac de Sainte-Croix, a reservoir, inaugurated in 1974, and located near the village of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon. From there, one can appreciate the magnificence of the Lac de Sainte-Croix, a paradise for water sports enthusiasts and the second reservoir in France, inaugurated in 1974. A few kilometers away, near the level of the village of Esparron-de-Verdon, is Lac d’Esparron, a smaller but equally enchanting lake.
LA DURANCE
Leaving the Alps to enter the gates of Provence, near Sisteron, flows the Durance River. It is an unpredictable river, known for its impressive and formidable floods. It hosts a rich and diverse fauna including fish, cormorants, herons or beavers. Along the river, several villages arise, such as those of Jouques, Peyrolles-en-Provence , Meyrargues and La Roque d’Antheron.
LA SORGUE
Another river of great beauty is definitely the Sorgue. The river originates from the famous source Fonte di Valchiusa spring in the Vaucluse department. It is the largest spring in France and is distinguished by the color of its waters, a bright, deep green. The spring inspired Francesco Petrarch (who stayed nearby) with the famous verses of “Chiare, fresche et dolci acque.”
ARGENS
Renowned since Gallo-Roman times for the quality of the agricultural production it generates, the Argens has its source at Seillons-Source-d’Argens, north of Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume and Brignoles, to flow into the Mediterranean, just a stone’s throw from Frejus. Named after the “silver-white” color of its waters, the river flows through enchanting landscapes and vast agricultural plains, to be discovered on foot or by canoe.
LAKE OF CARCÈS
Nestled in the heart of green Provence, Lake Carcès-or Lake Sainte Suzanne-annexed to the villages of Carcès and Cabasse, stems from a dam erected between 1934 and 1939 and designed to supply drinking water to Toulon. On fine days, its banks are populated by locals who come to share a picnic under clear skies. Populated by carp, perch, zander, bream and pike, the lake is also popular with fishermen.
THE RODAN AND THE ETANG DE BERRE
Rising in Provence west of Orange, the Rhone follows its course to Avignon, where it flows under the famous Saint-Bénézet bridge, then to Arles, where it divides into arms: the Little Rhone, to the east, and the Grand Rhone to the west. Between the two lies the Rhone delta and the Camargue Regional Nature Park.
East of the delta is the Etang de Berre, the largest salt pond in Europe. Having become an important industrial site in the 1930s, today the Etang de Berre is primarily a destination for windsurfers and kitesurfers.