Serre-Ponçon, france's 1st large artificial lake

Together, we can offer quality, sustainable tourism in a preserved environment.

Heading for the lake of Serre-Ponçon

Welcome to the fascinating world of Serre-Ponçon, the lakeside paradise nestled in the heart of the Hautes-Alpes..

Ready to embark on an unforgettable nautical adventure? Let yourself be seduced by the thousand and one facets of France's largest man-made lake. Let the discoveries begin!

Measurements out of the ordinary!

91 km
of shores
9 beaches
equipped and supervised
10 ports
audiences
15 bases
nautical
CP/SMADESEP

Development of Serre-Ponçon sMADESEP gets involved!

At the heart of the Hautes-Alpes region, we are working to shape the present and future of Serre-Ponçon. We are committed to the development and management of the lake, and to the protection of its heritage. Our main objective is to achieve coherent development for quality, sustainable tourism.

Our mission

Dive into the news

Réglage mou de chaîne

Tips for docking and adjusting your chain slack

If you're moored to a mooring buoy, you'll need to adjust the chain on your buoy so that it doesn't go underwater if the lake level rises, or so that your chain isn't too slack if the lake level falls. Watch our video to find out how to adjust your…

Any questions?

I am
I'd like to organize an event on the lake: what's the procedure?

If you wish to organize a nautical event on Lac de Serre-Ponçon, you must submit a declaration to the French government by clicking on the link below:

https://www.hautes-alpes.gouv.fr/Demarches/Manifestations/Manifestations-aeriennes-et-nautiques/Domaine-Nautique

The S.M.A.DE.SE.P. should also be contacted to assess the feasibility of your event, depending on the occupation of the public hydroelectric domain it may require. The tourism department will then give a technical opinion on the feasibility and any adaptations required. If you wish to occupy the public domain, you will need to obtain a specific authorization from the public establishment. Please return this completed formto us at least 1 month before the event.

Am I allowed to bivouac on the lake?

For safety reasons, it is forbidden to bivouac on the shores of Lac de Serre-Ponçon. It is also forbidden to build fires on the banks, except on dedicated sites (duly authorized by prefectoral decree).

How can I obtain a careening card?

Careening cards can be collected from the harbor office at the following address: Capitainerie du lac de Serre-Ponçon - Quai de la rue Royale - 05160 Savines le lac. You'll find our opening times on our home page (times may change according to the season). Don't hesitate to call us on 04.94.44.33.44 for further information.

Prices are as follows:

  • CARD PURCHASE: €5

  • CARD RELOAD :

  • CREDIT: 20:00 to 4 CYCLES at 4x5 MINUTES for 20€

  • CREDIT: 40:00 to 8 CYCLES at 8x5 MINUTES for35€

  • CREDIT: 60:00 to 12 CYCLES at 12x5 MINUTES at €50

What do I have to do to get my boating licence?

Marine (coastal, offshore) and river permits are valid on the hydroelectric reservoir, within the same limits in terms of boat motorization and distance from shelters as those in force for each of these permits. If you would like to know more about the procedure for obtaining a boating license, please click on the link below:

https://www.rhone.gouv.fr/Actions-de-l-Etat/Transport-mobilite-securite-routiere-et-fluviale/Navigation-fluviale2/Navigation-de-plaisance/Permis-plaisance

Do I need a specific license to pilot a boat in Serre-Ponçon?

Marine (coastal, offshore) and river permits are valid on the hydroelectric reservoir, within the same limits in terms of boat motorization and distance from shelters as those in force for each of these permits.

A license is required to pilot a motorized pleasure boat when the propulsion device exceeds 4.5 kilowatts (6 horsepower).

For more information, click on the link below:

https://www.mer.gouv.fr/le-permis-plaisance-permis-de-conduire-les-bateaux-de-plaisance-moteur

Can I barbecue on the shores of Lac de Serre-Ponçon?

There are fireplaces reserved for grills and barbecues:

  • Plage de Boix Vieux in Rousset
  • Port Saint Pierre beach in Le Sauze du Lac
  • Between Chanteloube and Trémouilles beach in Chorges
  • Riou Bourdou
  • Puy-Sanières
  • Plage des Eaux douces in Crots

See the map of authorized, standardized fireplaces: https://carto2.geo-ide.din.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/frontoffice/?m…

Outside these areas, fires are strictly prohibited.

Am I allowed to bivouac on the lake?

For safety reasons, it is forbidden to bivouac on the shores of Lac de Serre-Ponçon. It is also forbidden to build fires on the banks, except on dedicated sites (duly authorized by prefectoral decree).

How to use the boat cleaning area?

Lac de Serre-Ponçon has a careening area at Baie Saint-Michel (Commune de Chorges) equipped with 2 high-pressure cleaners (water and soap) for self-service use with payment by credit card.

5 min for €7

10 min for €13

15 min for €18

How can I obtain a careening card?

Careening cards can be collected from the harbor office at the following address: Capitainerie du lac de Serre-Ponçon - Quai de la rue Royale - 05160 Savines le lac. You'll find our opening times on our home page (times may change according to the season). Don't hesitate to call us on 04.94.44.33.44 for further information.

Prices are as follows:

  • CARD PURCHASE: €5

  • CARD RELOAD :

  • CREDIT: 20:00 to 4 CYCLES at 4x5 MINUTES for 20€

  • CREDIT: 40:00 to 8 CYCLES at 8x5 MINUTES for35€

  • CREDIT: 60:00 to 12 CYCLES at 12x5 MINUTES at €50

What do I have to do to get my boating licence?

Marine (coastal, offshore) and river permits are valid on the hydroelectric reservoir, within the same limits in terms of boat motorization and distance from shelters as those in force for each of these permits. If you would like to know more about the procedure for obtaining a boating license, please click on the link below:

https://www.rhone.gouv.fr/Actions-de-l-Etat/Transport-mobilite-securite-routiere-et-fluviale/Navigation-fluviale2/Navigation-de-plaisance/Permis-plaisance

I'd like to organize an event on the lake: what's the procedure?

If you wish to organize a nautical event on Lac de Serre-Ponçon, you must submit a declaration to the French government by clicking on the link below:

https://www.hautes-alpes.gouv.fr/Demarches/Manifestations/Manifestations-aeriennes-et-nautiques/Domaine-Nautique

The S.M.A.DE.SE.P. should also be contacted to assess the feasibility of your event, depending on the occupation of the public hydroelectric domain it may require. The tourism department will then give a technical opinion on the feasibility and any adaptations required. If you wish to occupy the public domain, you will need to obtain a specific authorization from the public establishment. Please return this completed formto us at least 1 month before the event.

Am I allowed to bivouac on the lake?

For safety reasons, it is forbidden to bivouac on the shores of Lac de Serre-Ponçon. It is also forbidden to build fires on the banks, except on dedicated sites (duly authorized by prefectoral decree).

How can I obtain a careening card?

Careening cards can be collected from the harbor office at the following address: Capitainerie du lac de Serre-Ponçon - Quai de la rue Royale - 05160 Savines le lac. You'll find our opening times on our home page (times may change according to the season). Don't hesitate to call us on 04.94.44.33.44 for further information.

Prices are as follows:

  • CARD PURCHASE: €5

  • CARD RELOAD :

  • CREDIT: 20:00 to 4 CYCLES at 4x5 MINUTES for 20€

  • CREDIT: 40:00 to 8 CYCLES at 8x5 MINUTES for35€

  • CREDIT: 60:00 to 12 CYCLES at 12x5 MINUTES at €50

What do I have to do to get my boating licence?

Marine (coastal, offshore) and river permits are valid on the hydroelectric reservoir, within the same limits in terms of boat motorization and distance from shelters as those in force for each of these permits. If you would like to know more about the procedure for obtaining a boating license, please click on the link below:

https://www.rhone.gouv.fr/Actions-de-l-Etat/Transport-mobilite-securite-routiere-et-fluviale/Navigation-fluviale2/Navigation-de-plaisance/Permis-plaisance

Do I need a specific license to pilot a boat in Serre-Ponçon?

Marine (coastal, offshore) and river permits are valid on the hydroelectric reservoir, within the same limits in terms of boat motorization and distance from shelters as those in force for each of these permits.

A license is required to pilot a motorized pleasure boat when the propulsion device exceeds 4.5 kilowatts (6 horsepower).

For more information, click on the link below:

https://www.mer.gouv.fr/le-permis-plaisance-permis-de-conduire-les-bateaux-de-plaisance-moteur

Can I barbecue on the shores of Lac de Serre-Ponçon?

There are fireplaces reserved for grills and barbecues:

  • Plage de Boix Vieux in Rousset
  • Port Saint Pierre beach in Le Sauze du Lac
  • Between Chanteloube and Trémouilles beach in Chorges
  • Riou Bourdou
  • Puy-Sanières
  • Plage des Eaux douces in Crots

See the map of authorized, standardized fireplaces: https://carto2.geo-ide.din.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/frontoffice/?m…

Outside these areas, fires are strictly prohibited.

Am I allowed to bivouac on the lake?

For safety reasons, it is forbidden to bivouac on the shores of Lac de Serre-Ponçon. It is also forbidden to build fires on the banks, except on dedicated sites (duly authorized by prefectoral decree).

How can I obtain a careening card?

Careening cards can be collected from the harbor office at the following address: Capitainerie du lac de Serre-Ponçon - Quai de la rue Royale - 05160 Savines le lac. You'll find our opening times on our home page (times may change according to the season). Don't hesitate to call us on 04.94.44.33.44 for further information.

Prices are as follows:

  • CARD PURCHASE: €5

  • CARD RELOAD :

  • CREDIT: 20:00 to 4 CYCLES at 4x5 MINUTES for 20€

  • CREDIT: 40:00 to 8 CYCLES at 8x5 MINUTES for35€

  • CREDIT: 60:00 to 12 CYCLES at 12x5 MINUTES at €50

What do I have to do to get my boating licence?

Marine (coastal, offshore) and river permits are valid on the hydroelectric reservoir, within the same limits in terms of boat motorization and distance from shelters as those in force for each of these permits. If you would like to know more about the procedure for obtaining a boating license, please click on the link below:

https://www.rhone.gouv.fr/Actions-de-l-Etat/Transport-mobilite-securite-routiere-et-fluviale/Navigation-fluviale2/Navigation-de-plaisance/Permis-plaisance

Do I need a specific license to pilot a boat in Serre-Ponçon?

Marine (coastal, offshore) and river permits are valid on the hydroelectric reservoir, within the same limits in terms of boat motorization and distance from shelters as those in force for each of these permits.

A license is required to pilot a motorized pleasure boat when the propulsion device exceeds 4.5 kilowatts (6 horsepower).

For more information, click on the link below:

https://www.mer.gouv.fr/le-permis-plaisance-permis-de-conduire-les-bateaux-de-plaisance-moteur