Upper Var – Verdon

Filling of Sainte-Croix lake began in 1973 and was completed in 1975. The water submerged the valley, and with it the old village of Salles-sur-Verdon, now re-built on a vast, levelled terrace overlooking the lake's left bank. The lake also submerged France's second largest natural spring, Fontaine l'Evêque.

Sainte-Croix lake covers a surface area of 5,440 acres (10 km in length and 3 km in width). It is limited to the South by the Sainte-Croix hydropower dam and to the North by Pont de Galetas bridge, where the lake is fed by the river Verdon. The dam, built at the entrance to Baudinard gorge, retains 760 million cubic metres of water and produces over 150 million KW/h per year. It supplies electricity to several adjacent towns. It is also one of the main drinking water reserves for the cities of Aix, Marseille and Toulon.

This magnificent lake, leading to the entrance of the Verdon Grand Canyon, is now a coveted tourist attraction, where visitors can enjoy swimming, boating, canoeing and pedaloeing.

Only electric-powered boats are allowed on the lake to ensure its water quality remains irreproachable!

Also referred to as "Chapelle de l'Annociation", this pretty Romanesque chapel lies next to the village cemetery. A rose window is set in the facade above the entrance door. Its interesting design comprises a central, circular oculus window, surrounded by 6 lobes and four-leaf projections.
A 2-bay vaulted bell tower rises between the nave and chancel. A coat of arms engraved with a stag-headed dragon is set in the stone above the door. more +

These 2 windmills, built in the 18th century, are now listed monuments.

Situated immediately adjacent to the village, on a rocky plateau swept by the winds, they are built on a high bed of rubble. A vaulted room is situated under one of the mills. A simple door provides access to the ground floor and a small dormer window lights the way to the upper level.

The mills underwent major restoration work in 1995, and one of them is now back in service (venue of the annual wind fair). The other houses a collection of farm tools. more +

Une invitation à découvrir sans modération l’histoire et le patrimoine varois, avec plus de 29 sites culturels qui vous ouvrent leurs portes à tarifs préférentiels. Des jardins, des musées, des lieux d'exposition, des chapelles et des abbayes... le Var, est une terre de richesses, de couleurs et d'émotions que nous voulons vous faire partager !

Le Pass-sites est un concept départemental "Rendez-vous Découvertes". more +

Bordering the Alps, Haute Provence and Var regions, the Verdon nature reserve spans 46 towns and covers a surface area of 445,000 acres. It features two sightseeing jewels: Sainte-Croix lake and the spectacular Verdon Grand Canyon, scored into the chalky plateaux of Provence. more +

The tuff cliff of Villecroze, with its misty waterfall, is pierced with many natural caves and is a protected site. The long-time property of the Abbey of Saint Victor, it was sold by the monks to Nicolas d'Albertas, the seigneur of Villecroze in 1566, who converted it into an impenetrable hideout, dressed with a Renaissance-style facade.

The cliff interior comprises a 2-floor "lodge" dug into the cliff, a chapel, a simple recess accessed via a step, a natural cellar with a basin for collecting rainwater, an outer wall and a watchtower virtually entirely cut into the rock. An intermediate level leads to a natural room containing superb stalactites, via a staircase cut into the rock. The natural tank situated in a smaller, adjacent cave is decorated with magnificent paintwork indicating the water level. more +

With its picturesque streets and panoramic view over the entire region, Tourtour is a not-to-be-missed stop-off. more +

Reputedly the capital of the black truffle, Aups is part of the "Villages de Caractère du Var". Truffle market every Thursday from November to March. more +

This waterfall is set 800 metres from the road, at the end of an agreeable walk. It is formed by the waters of the river Bresque, the Château de Bresc spring and Merderic rapids.

The water tumbles down from a 42-metre tuff cliff, into a chalk-lined pool bordered by greenery. This site is protected.

CAUTION: access to the pool is closed due to a falling rock hazard. The last 100 metres are inaccessible pending maintenance work. more +

Built on a sugar lump-shaped hilltop, in the shelter of two windmills, this old hilltop village fans out in concentric circles.

Abandoned in the 19th century in favour of the hamlet of Saint-Pierre situated in the plain, it still bears some of its original fortifications. The front doors of the houses rising up here and there among the ruins feature fascinating carved lintels.

Don't miss a visit to the Romanesque church. more +