Lac du Longet, source de l'Ubaye

Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye

The Ubaye rises in the small Lac du Longet, at the col du Longet, near the Italian border, in the commune of Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye. The sources consulted differ on the altitude: 2,641 m for Provence7, 2,655 m for the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur regional website. Provence7 gives the coordinates 44° 38′ 19″ N and 6° 56′ 45″ E. From the source, the river descends 1,861 m to its confluence with the Durance, in the Lac de Serre-Ponçon, at 780 m above sea level, after a course of about 83 km. Its main tributary, the Ubayette, rises at the Lac du Lauzanier, in the Mercantour national park, near Larche: it is therefore the Lac du Longet that is taken as the source of the Ubaye proper. The river's name is Ubaia in Valéian and gave its name to the valley; the origin of the word is not explained in the pages consulted. The Ubaye is described there first as a torrent. No legend or cult linked to this lake was found, nor any controversy over the location of the source. This entry therefore remains mainly descriptive.

Getting there: Coordinates given by Provence7 for the Lac du Longet. High mountain, near the Italian border, at the col du Longet; access on foot in summer (to be checked). The Ubayette, the main tributary, rises elsewhere, at the Lac du Lauzanier.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound