Serre-Ponçon Driving Tour

By driving east from Gap for about 20km/12mi on road N94 or on D900 B in a south-easterly direction we come to the Lac de Serre-Ponçon with its 120m/394ft high barrage, built in 1955-1961, which dams the River Durance and creates a large lake covering some 2,700ha/6,672 acres.

The best excursion is a circular drive: from Gap take the above road as far as Chorges then turn right on to the D3 which winds its way south, with beautiful viewpoints, to the dam; the best general view of the dam is from the Belvédère a little way north on the road. The D3 continues to the junction of the D900 B. Take this road, cross the Durance and then, at varying distances from the water, follow the southern bank of the reservoir. In about 20km/12mi turn west on the the D954.

A little way]from the road can be seen the Demoiselles Coiffées (ladies with head-dresses) a group of earth pyramids. Still following the bank of the lake we reach the N94 near Savines-le-Lac and once again cross the lake and return to Gap via Chorges.