Top 4 Lakes around Saint-Martin-Lès-Seyne

The region around Saint-Martin-Lès-Seyne features both high-altitude mountain lakes and the expansive artificial lake, Lac de Serre-Ponçon. This offers a diverse range of aquatic environments for visitors.

For nature lovers and hikers, the Lacs du Col Bas, including Black Lake, are ideal. This area is classified as a Sensitive Natural Area due to its rich biodiversity, unique wetland environment, and peat layers. It offers moderate hiking trails, such as an 8km out-and-back route with a 350m elevation gain, taking approximately 4 hours.

Yes, the Lacs du Col Bas offer moderate, family-friendly hiking routes. For water-based activities, Lac de Serre-Ponçon is excellent, with numerous public beaches and nautical bases, particularly around Savines-le-Lac, where you can enjoy swimming, sailing, and windsurfing. The Serre-Ponçon Dam itself is also considered family-friendly.

Excellent panoramic views of Lac de Serre-Ponçon and its dam can be enjoyed from several points. Le Rocher Chabrand offers magnificent vistas after a climb. Additionally, the View of Lac de Serre-Ponçon from Fort de Dormillouse provides stunning panoramas of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Lac de Serre-Ponçon is a hub for water sports. You can enjoy a wide array of activities such as sailing, windsurfing, and swimming. The village of Savines-le-Lac, located on the lake, has a nautical base and public beaches.

Some high-altitude lakes, like Monges Lake, are accessible by car via a motorable track from the village of Esparron. This lake is also a starting point for hikes to the summit of Monges or the Col de Clapouse.

Lac de Serre-Ponçon is one of the largest artificial lakes in France, created by the Serre-Ponçon Dam, completed in 1961. Its construction led to the submergence of two villages, Savines and Ubaye, with Savines-le-Lac being rebuilt above the new water level. This history makes the lake a significant engineering feat and a unique cultural site.

Yes, the Lacs du Col Bas offer moderate hikes suitable for families. For more challenging options, you can extend your hike from the Lacs du Col Bas to the summit of La Dormillouse (2505m) for expansive views. Around Lac de Serre-Ponçon, there are trails with panoramic views, including those leading to viewpoints like Le Rocher Chabrand. You can find various hiking routes in the region by exploring the Road Cycling Routes around Saint-Martin-Lès-Seyne, Cycling around Saint-Martin-Lès-Seyne, and MTB Trails around Saint-Martin-Lès-Seyne guides.

The Lacs du Col Bas are notable for being a Sensitive Natural Area. They exhibit a rare phenomenon where plants have partially filled the lakes, creating a unique wetland environment with peat layers. This area is home to rare insects like the crimson-winged grasshopper and protected species such as the Alpine newt.

The village of Savines-le-Lac, situated directly on Lac de Serre-Ponçon, is a complete tourist destination. It offers ports, public beaches, a nautical base, shops, and restaurants, providing all necessary amenities for visitors.

The Serre-Ponçon Dam is a significant engineering marvel and a major tourist destination. There is an observation deck slightly elevated above the reservoir, offering a good vantage point. It's fascinating to learn about its construction, which was completed in 1961, and how it transformed the region.

The Lacs du Col Bas, including Black Lake, are designated as a Sensitive Natural Area due to their rich and fragile biodiversity. Visitors are encouraged to stay on marked trails to protect the unique wetland environment, which hosts rare insects like the crimson-winged grasshopper and protected species such as the Alpine newt.