Lake Sautet: nature, activities and charming villages

The little-known Lac du Sautet is well worth a visit.

Experience the joy of its eye-catching blue waters, with an inviting beach and vibrant watersports centre set amid an impressive landscape. Explore the surrounding network of diverse roads and paths with sports trails and wilderness adventures, and uncover authentic villages steeped in history.

L’Obiou

On a clear day, its rugged silhouette is visible from the Laffrey lakes. In La Mure, it rises majestically: the limestone sentinel, Grande Tête de l’Obiou, overseeing every moment of our Lac du Sautet journey, wherever we wander its shores. The mountain’s high, jagged peaks, a natural prow of the Dévoluy range, create a striking contrast against the lake’s tranquil turquoise waters.

The genius of nature, which shaped the Obiou, is equalled only by the genius of man, who built this 350-hectare reservoir on the Drac torrent in the early 1930s.

White pebble beach

Your Lake Sautet adventure begins at its watersports centre. Unlike its sporty neighbour, Monteynard Lake, Sautet offers a more peaceful, family-friendly atmosphere. Here, the serene waters invite contemplation from the white pebble beach. From this tranquil spot, you can rent a small electric boat to explore the serpentine lake’s secret corners.

All the way to the foot of the cliffs

No license is needed to captain the small blue boats, though booking ahead is essential to avoid disappointment. These boats glide us to the base of the cliffs, offering a close-up view of the fascinating geological strata. Simultaneously, canoes, kayaks and paddleboards slip silently between the ancient rock formations.

Following a relaxing hour and a half on the water, we return to shore. By then, families have gathered on the supervised beach, a popular spot throughout summer afternoons.

Contact WSA watersports centre

Base nautique du Sautet

Corps, the village in the sun

Leaving the lake’s tranquil shores, we journey to Corps, an elegant, sun-kissed market town. Its narrow streets whisper tales of Napoleon’s passage on March 6, 1815.

Come summer, vibrant flowers burst forth in every square, while roses and lavender perfume the rampart walk, winding beneath charming old houses.

Name every mountain

Wandering along this bucolic, shaded path, the small Saint Roch chapel suddenly appears among the trees to our left. A brief ten-minute stroll from the town centre brings us to its doorstep. The chapel’s square, now bathed in the warm, golden light of late afternoon, unveils a stunning vista of the lake.

An orientation table aids in identifying the peaks that frame the lake. We could easily pause here, captivated by the breathtaking panorama of rugged rock, verdant forests and shimmering blue water. However, with shadows lengthening in the distant valleys, we must continue our journey to the lake’s far side before nightfall.

La Salettina

In the heart of Corps, a stroll down Rue du Four reveals an intriguing sight: an old shop, bathed in neon light, with open doors and barrels lining the back wall. This is the artisanal distillery of La Salettina, where Raoul Attanasio creates a unique liqueur from around twenty plants, including the famed génépi, gathered from the surrounding mountains.

The name ‘La Salettina’ honours the nearby Marian shrine of La Salette. A sign in the street behind the distillery marks this house as the former home of Maximin Giraud, the shepherd who witnessed the Virgin’s apparition in 1846.

The story of an alcoholic drink

Discover La Salettina Distillery

A visit to the Sautet Dam is a must. Its distinctive form is immediately noticeable: a gravity dam, ingeniously designed with a central curve and a valley-facing incline to hold back the Drac River’s waters. This impressive engineering feat, finished in the early 1930s, serves as a testament to human ingenuity.

Within this unique landscape, where industrial structures meet rugged nature, adventure enthusiasts will find two via ferratas. One route, soaring 200 metres above the gorges, accessible even to beginners, provides breathtaking vistas and vertical thrills without demanding technical skill.

A taste of times gone by

The departmental road then skirts two wind turbines and charming hamlets nestling beneath the ever-watchful Obiou.

In Pellafol village, the small museum at the Maison du Patrimoine offers a glimpse into bygone farming life. From Pellafol-le-Vieux, scenic trails descend to the cliffs, revealing further panoramas of the lake, as marked on the map.

A mysterious source of energy

Beyond La Posterle, the D537 road curves past imposing limestone cliffs. The mountain has been sculpted by the Souloise River, carving its way through the landscape, which flows below barely visible among the fir trees.

We soon reach the car park of the Gillardes springs discovery trail, already bathed in the half-light. The atmosphere is chilly after the day’s 30°C heat, so an extra layer doesn’t go amiss.

Beneath the towering conifers, a clearly marked path leads to the Grande Gillarde spring in a mere ten minutes. Here, crystal-clear water and foam surge from the rocky terrain, a magnificent display of nature’s power. The spring’s mysterious energy is almost tangible. Could it be fed by an underground lake?

From this otherworldly source, two loops extend for exploration on foot or by bike, thanks to three footbridges crossing the river. Options include a visit to the Infernet Canyon or continuing through the pine forests to the Mas bridge, below the village of Monestier-d’Ambel. To fully appreciate these “edge of the world” sensations, plan to stay an extra day.