Kitesurfing in Lac de Serre-Ponçon

No-Wind Days: What to Do Around Lac de Serre-Ponçon

A windless day at Lac de Serre-Ponçon is definitely not a wasted day. Surrounded by Alpine peaks, forests and turquoise water, the lake is an outdoor playground even without a kite. On warm days you can swim, kayak, SUP, sail or simply find a quiet beach and enjoy the scenery, while boat trips are an excellent way to discover the lake's numerous bays and mountain views from the water. The official Serre-Ponçon tourism site is a useful starting point for finding activities, beaches, walking routes and events around the lake.

One of the lake's most recognizable landmarks is the Chapelle Saint-Michel, a tiny chapel standing on a rocky islet above the turquoise water. When the valley was flooded to create the reservoir, the chapel escaped destruction because it stood just above the lake's maximum water level. Today it has become one of the symbols of Serre-Ponçon and is particularly photogenic from the surrounding viewpoints and when lower water levels expose more of the islet.

The scale of the lake becomes even more impressive when you visit the Serre-Ponçon Dam. This enormous earth dam transformed the Durance valley and created the lake that exists today. At its foot, the Maison de l’eau et des énergies provides an interesting introduction to the construction of the dam, hydroelectricity and the management of water throughout the Durance-Verdon system. Interactive displays explain the history of the project, while the nearby belvedere offers an impressive view over the dam and reservoir. Guided visits of the hydroelectric power station are also available at certain times and require advance booking.

Hiking is probably the best alternative when the thermal wind fails to arrive. Trails climb from the shoreline into the surrounding mountains, offering spectacular views over the lake and its branching valleys. There are routes for everything from an easy family walk to a full day in the mountains, while mountain bikers have an equally impressive network of trails and forest tracks to explore. The combination of bright blue water and Alpine peaks makes the higher viewpoints particularly rewarding, so a calm sunny day can actually be better spent above the lake than waiting on the beach for the wind.

The lakeside villages are also worth exploring. Savines-le-Lac sits directly beside the water and is an easy place to stop for lunch, a swim or a walk along the shoreline. The village has two public beaches, restaurants, shops and a marina, while the nearby Pierre-Arnoux viewpoint provides a beautiful panorama over the village, lake and Serre-Ponçon bridge. Farther upstream, Embrun has much more of a historic Alpine-town atmosphere, with narrow streets, cafés, restaurants and views over the Durance valley.

If you want to venture farther into the mountains, the Écrins National Park opens up a completely different world of high peaks, valleys, waterfalls and Alpine hiking. The park contains some of the highest mountains in France outside the Mont Blanc massif and offers everything from accessible valley walks to serious mountain routes. Wildlife spotting is another attraction, with marmots, chamois and golden eagles among the species found in the surrounding mountains.

Families have plenty of easier options too. The lake has numerous beaches and designated swimming areas, while kayaking, paddleboarding, pedal boats, sailing and scenic boat trips can keep everyone occupied when there isn't enough wind for kiting. Savines-le-Lac's waterfront is particularly convenient for this, with beaches and a marina offering access to paddleboards, canoes, pedal boats and boat trips. Away from the water you can try climbing, horse riding, cycling or simply pack a picnic and find one of the many viewpoints overlooking the lake.

Between Alpine hiking, mountain biking, swimming, historic villages, the huge dam and excursions into the Écrins, Serre-Ponçon is as much a mountain destination as it is a kite spot. In fact, having a couple of windless days can be a good excuse to explore the landscape properly—the hardest part may be deciding whether to wait for the afternoon thermal or disappear into the mountains for the day.