📷 Etienne Baudon, Public domainLac de Serre-Ponçon
Savines-le-Lac, France
A vast turquoise reservoir in the Southern Alps, ringed by peaks and dotted with small bays and viewpoints along the roads. Swim or paddle in summer, and stop at the chapel on its islet for photos.
Lac de Serre-Ponçon spans the départements of Hautes-Alpes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and, at 28 km², is one of the largest reservoirs in France. It is up to 90 m deep. The dam was built between 1955 and 1961 to tame the Durance after the floods of 1843 and 1856; several villages were flooded in the process. The Durance and the Ubaye feed the lake, which also irrigates around 1,500 km² of land.
On a small island stands the Chapelle Saint-Michel, which dates from the 12th century, was destroyed in 1692 by Savoyard troops and later rebuilt. It is closed to visitors; you can approach it by boat, and when the water is low in spring the island may be reachable on foot. Kayaking, sailing and stand-up paddling are on offer at the lake, and walking trails such as the Pic de Morgon lie above it. In summer a swimming stop is worthwhile.
- Nearest town
- Savines-le-Lac, France
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 44.5300, 6.3750
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Baie Saint-MichelCampsite4 km from Lac de Serre-PonçonTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Aire Camping-car Park CrotsMotorhome stopover6 km from Lac de Serre-Ponçon · 40 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- La Vielle FermeCampsite9 km from Lac de Serre-PonçonTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Le Noyer du BaronCampsite13 km from Lac de Serre-PonçonTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Bois des Hoches;Le Bois des HochesCampsite13 km from Lac de Serre-Ponçon · 25 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Les AuchesCampsite17 km from Lac de Serre-PonçonTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
All campsites in France · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Lac de Serre-Ponçon?
Lac de Serre-Ponçon is in Savines-le-Lac, France, at GPS 44.5300, 6.3750. It is about 24 km from Gap.
Can you camp near Lac de Serre-Ponçon?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Nautic, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 92 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Lac de Serre-Ponçon?
Places worth a stop nearby: Mont-Dauphin fortress (25 km), Col de Vars (26 km), Fort Queyras (41 km) and Cime de la Bonette (41 km).
When is the best time to visit Lac de Serre-Ponçon?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)