France Lac de la Cula

Nestled in a small depression, protected from the wind, Lac de la Cula is a quiet, little-visited spot above the Clarée valley.

The best places to photograph the lake are on its eastern shore, where you can see the mountains of the Cerces massif, on the other side of the Clarée valley, reflected in the water.

You can also climb up to the small hillock to the east of the lake to enjoy an even better view of the Cerces massif. But you'll lose their reflection in the lake.

From the Laval parking lot, take the wide path leading down to the Clarée valley, which you should follow for around 200 metres, before turning right to follow the GRP Tour du Mont Thabor.

The little path climbs gently up the south-facing slope, following the Ruisseau de Saint-Jacques. After a final bend to the right, the path becomes a balcony for the second part of the route.

You then cross the small torrent of La Cula: to reach the lake, you'll need to stay on the path for another 15 minutes or so. Be careful not to miss the intersection with the lake on your left, just after a few hairpin bends.

The final climb to the lake then begins, taking you around a hill behind which the lake is hidden. Twenty minutes later, you've finally arrived.