Chapel of St. Michel on Lake Serre-Ponçon, Hautes-Alpes, France
© Hemis/Superstock
Chapel of St. Michel on Lake Serre-Ponçon, Hautes-Alpes, France
Lake Serre-Ponçon, known as the ‘Sea in the Mountains,’ was formed in 1961, when the Durance River was dammed to help prevent flooding in nearby communities. It’s considered one of the largest manmade lakes in Europe and is a major source of hydroelectric power, irrigation, and tourism. The historic Chapel of St. Michel, established in 1020 and rebuilt in the 17th century, survived the flooding of the valley—but it became an island destination in the process.
Related Images
Bing Today Images
Sunrise on the Brocken, Harz National Park, Germany
Mar 07, 2026
Plum blossoms in China
Mar 07, 2025
Hope Valley, Peak District, England
Rio Grande and Sierra del Carmen range in Big Bend National Park, Texas
Rajgad Fort near Pune, India
Glastonbury Tor and St. Michael's Tower in England for the start of the Glastonbury Festival
Prairie and pinnacles near Castle Trail in Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Mount Fanjing, the highest peak of the Wuling Mountains, in southwest China
An old farm in the Shetland Islands, Scotland
Vinicunca Mountain in the Cusco Region of Peru