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.
Dive into the news
Port report for the 2025 season
On November 5, members of the Local Council of Marina Users (CLUPP) of Lac de Serre-Ponçon met at the Capitainerie in Savines-le-Lac to take stock of port management for the 2025 season. The CLUPP was created in 2019, and is made up of boaters drawn…
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:
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).
Where can I refit my boat?
A careening area in the Baie Saint Michel is available to boaters to allow them to careen their boats in complete safety, without polluting the natural environment.
Please contact the Harbour Master's Office before starting any work to reserve a slot: 04 88 26 02 26 or by e-mail at capitainerie@smadesep.com
Rates :
1 day: €20 inc
3 days: €50 inc
7 days: €100 inc
15 days: €150 inc
Any occupancy exceeding 15 days will be billed at an additional daily rate (€20 inc. VAT/additional day).
Opening period: April 15 to November1 - 7 days a week - 24 hours a day
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:
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
Where can I refit my boat?
A careening area in the Baie Saint Michel is available to boaters to allow them to careen their boats in complete safety, without polluting the natural environment.
Please contact the Harbour Master's Office before starting any work to reserve a slot: 04 88 26 02 26 or by e-mail at capitainerie@smadesep.com
Rates :
1 day: €20 inc
3 days: €50 inc
7 days: €100 inc
15 days: €150 inc
Any occupancy exceeding 15 days will be billed at an additional daily rate (€20 inc. VAT/additional day).
Opening period: April 15 to November1 - 7 days a week - 24 hours a day
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:
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:
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).
Where can I refit my boat?
A careening area in the Baie Saint Michel is available to boaters to allow them to careen their boats in complete safety, without polluting the natural environment.
Please contact the Harbour Master's Office before starting any work to reserve a slot: 04 88 26 02 26 or by e-mail at capitainerie@smadesep.com
Rates :
1 day: €20 inc
3 days: €50 inc
7 days: €100 inc
15 days: €150 inc
Any occupancy exceeding 15 days will be billed at an additional daily rate (€20 inc. VAT/additional day).
Opening period: April 15 to November1 - 7 days a week - 24 hours a day
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:
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).
Where can I refit my boat?
A careening area in the Baie Saint Michel is available to boaters to allow them to careen their boats in complete safety, without polluting the natural environment.
Please contact the Harbour Master's Office before starting any work to reserve a slot: 04 88 26 02 26 or by e-mail at capitainerie@smadesep.com
Rates :
1 day: €20 inc
3 days: €50 inc
7 days: €100 inc
15 days: €150 inc
Any occupancy exceeding 15 days will be billed at an additional daily rate (€20 inc. VAT/additional day).
Opening period: April 15 to November1 - 7 days a week - 24 hours a day
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:
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