A large alpine lake between forests and peaks, with a distant sailboat. Generic AI-generated landscape.

AREA

Things to do around Lake Serre-Ponçon

A vast lake beneath the peaks, hilltop villages and a resort looking towards the water: the Embrunais has a holiday spirit.

Area at a glance

Towns and resorts
Embrun, Savines-le-Lac, Les Orres, Crots, Chorges.
Access
Embrun station, the Durance valley road.
Landscapes
Lake Serre-Ponçon, forests, Embrun’s rock and mountain peaks.
Best season
Summer for the lake, winter for Les Orres.

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The spirit of the area

Lake Serre-Ponçon, one of Western Europe’s largest artificial lakes, makes the Embrunais a water-focused summer destination.

Embrun, perched on its rock, and Les Orres resort above the lake extend the experience into the mountains, in summer and winter.

Key figures

Dates for your diary

  • Mid-AugustEmbrun

    Embrunman

    Every year around 15 August (latest edition on Saturday 15 August 2026; 2027: mid-August, exact date to be confirmed)

    3.8 km swimming at Embrun's plan d'eau, around 188 km cycling via the Col d'Izoard, then a marathon. XXL format since 1990.

    Source: Finishers (new tab)

  • Mid-SeptemberEmbrun and Serre-Ponçon

    Grand Trail de Serre-Ponçon

    Mid-September (in 2026: 18 to 20 September; 2027: mid-September, exact date to be confirmed)

    Races of 15 to 64 km around the lake, finishing at the beach at Embrun's plan d'eau.

    Source: Finishers (new tab)

What to do, season by season

Paddleboarding, sailing and swimming on the lake, rafting on the Durance and mountain biking at Les Orres.

Our highlights

  1. Lake Serre-Ponçon

    Beaches, paddleboarding and sailing.

  2. EmbrunSee the address book entries

    The old town on its rock and Notre-Dame-du-Réal cathedral.

  3. Les OrresSee the address book entries

    Skiing in winter, mountain biking and hiking in summer.

  4. Boscodon Abbey

    A Romanesque gem in the forest.

  5. The Demoiselles coiffées at Théus

    Striking hoodoo rock formations.

  6. COEZIA: an adventure game in the forest(opens in a new tab)

    Puzzles and life-size exploration in Embrun in summer, on snowshoes at Les Orres 1800 in winter.

The editorial selection

Your questions

Practical information

Getting here
Take the train to Embrun, then a shuttle or car to Les Orres.
Where to stay
Lakeside campsites and accommodation, apartments at Les Orres and village guesthouses.
Find out more
The local tourist office can advise you on accommodation, conditions and current events.

Key organisations

Sources

  1. Ouvrages de Serre-Ponçon (new tab) · Ministère de la Culture (DRAC PACA)
  2. Carte d'identité de la station (new tab) · Les Orres
  3. Embrunman (new tab) · Finishers · 2026
  4. Grand Trail de Serre-Ponçon (new tab) · Finishers · 2026

Figures checked on 19 October 2026. Event dates may change: check with the organisers.