Lac de Quinson, Gorges du Verdon, France – Explore France

Where is Lac de Quinson?

The Lac de Quinson is located in the lower Gorges du Verdon, after the Sainte-Croix dam and the Quinson dam. It’s in the Var region of France, and definitely a must-add to your South France itinerary!

To make it easy to find the lake, I’ve pinpointed the exact location on the map below.

Now that you know where to find this beautiful place, let’s discover more about it!

Exploring the Lac de Quinson

The get to the lake, you’ll first have to cross it by taking the bridge.

As we drove across the bridge, we instantly knew we were going to stay for a while at this location. We drove very slow while passing the bridge, taking in the view of the lake on the left, and of the gorges on the right.

As you keep driving down the road, you’ll get to the lake, with a huge parking lot.

It’s actually more like an open space, with space to park your car in between trees. One thing I love about this place is that you can literally park your car 10 steps away from the water.

When you’re at the lake, there are 2 main places to go: the lake, and the gorges.

The Gorges at Lac de Quinson

After the bridge, the river enters the gorges, and the scenery gets even more impressive.

There are actually several ways you can explore the gorges: by foot, swimming, or paddling.

If you’d rather stay dry, you can go on a hike around the Gorges, as there is a small path that goes along the edge of the Gorges.

You can see the path on the image below

If you’re feeling it, you can swim inside the gorges. Be warned though, the water is extremely cold in the Lac de Quinson! This comes from the fact that the water is blocked by the Sainte-Croix dam.

The last option is to rent a kayak or a stand-up paddle, and paddle your way to the Gorges. There are several places around the lake where you can rent a boat, just pick whichever you like best.

If you’d like to book a boat, you can check out this link here: Boat Rental in Lac de Quinson

In addition to the gorge, you can also chill at the lake.

The Lake

The lake itself is pretty beautiful, and a nice place to chill. There will be way fewer people than the other lakes in the area, such as the Lac de Sainte-Croix.

You can set your towel right next to the water, lie down, and go for a nap.

As I mentioned above, the water is extremely cold. It can be hard to get in the water, and it’s not the ideal place to go for a swim.

However, if you go during summer, then the cold water of the lake will come as a blessing against the heat of summer.

Oh, and I forgot to mention it, but another way you can enjoy the lake is simply with your eyes. The Lac de Quinson is a splendid location, and I’m sure you will highly enjoy going there for the view.

Here are some more images of the lake for you:

What to Do on Lac de Quinson and Around? 

1. Enjoy water activities such as swimming, paddling, speed boating, or kayaking at Montmeyan Plage
2. Visit the village of Quinson, right next to the lake. It’s very pretty and well worth a visit
3. Discover the Prehistory Museum in the village of Quinson. It’s the largest prehistory museum in Europe, so don’t miss the chance to visit it! 
4. Hike around the lake: the area is packed with marked trails, where you can marvel at the dam, the cliffs, the caves, the Valensole plateau, beautiful villages like Sainte Marie, and the lavender fields of Provence.
5. Camp right on the shores of the lake at Camping Tohapi Les Prés du Verdon to make the most of the place.
6. Check out Lac d’Esparron, another lake situated only 25 minutes drive from Quinson Lake so you can visit both in a day. Check this guide if you want to visit. 
7. If you have more time in the area, discover France’s 3rd largest lake, the Lac de Sainte-Croix, located about an hour drive from Quinson.

Tips to Visit Lac de Quinson

If you’re planning to visit, you can find below a few tips to help you make the most out of your visit:

• The water is extremely cold: if you’re looking for a nice spot to swim, this is probably not it. There’s also a lot of algae, so it’s not very pleasant. Please note that the upstream part of the lake, Lac de Montpezat, is forbidden to swim.
• Book in advance: if you want to rent a boat/kayak/stand-up paddle, best book it in advance if you can (check availability here: boat booking in Quinson)
• Bring cash: the local shops often don’t accept credit cards
• Bring food and water: the local shops sell food & water but at a hefty price. Pack your own and enjoy your freedom. Just make sure to leave nothing behind you! 
• Parking is free: go all the way down to the lake, after crossing the bridge. You’ll be able to park for free next to the lake

Where to Stay Near Lake de Quinson

Ready to book your trip to Lac de Quinson? Here are the best accommodations to stay near the lake: 

✅ Best Hotel – Hotel Le Moulin du Château: this hotel is located only a 12-minute drive from the lake! It’s a beautiful place in a typical Provence house and decorated as such. Surrounded by nature, you’ll love the country feel of the place, which also offers great amenities. 

💰 Budget Pick – Lou Pèbre d’Aï: This cute house is about 15-minute drive and provides everything you need for a great stay, outdoor swimming pool included! Rooms are large and come with quality facilities. 

✨ Luxury Pick – La Tour d’Enguernes: This place located only a 6-minute drive from the lake is one-of-a-kind! The property itself is typical of the region and the rooms are so pretty you’d think you were sleeping in a castle. They have a nice swimming pool and offer a fabulous breakfast. 

Check out this guide to get more options in Provence.

So there you have it, my guide to the Lac de Quinson, a beautiful lake in the Gorges du Verdon. I hope you enjoy your stay there!

If you post any photos from this place, tag them with #kevmrc so that I can see them!