Nice: Gorges of Verdon and Fields of Lavender Tour
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The deep gorges of the Verdon river (Gorges du Verdon in French) split the earth for 25 kilometres, creating Europe’s most impressive canyon. With its sheer, emerald-green river walls, up to 1,500 metres high, it is an incredible panorama, surrounded by lush, luxuriant nature. A true paradise for lovers of hairpin circuits and for all those who enjoy extreme and water sports.
The roads that run along the gorges offer breathtaking landscapes, beautiful walking trails and wonderful perched villages that will enchant visitors.
This area is rich in outdoor activities that can be undertaken by those who intend to stay longer in the area.
The Verdon gorges, technically, begin at Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, pass through the Lac de Sainte Croix and end at Castellane. However, the area of interest is much larger.
There are two main routes, one to the north and one to the south of the gorges. To the north, the road is called Route des Gorges and is, in our opinion, the most spectacular, also allowing a loop diversions to Route de Crêtes. The road to the south, on the other hand, is called Route de la Corniche Sublime.
If you are wondering which route is best to take to visit the Gorges du Verdon, the answer might seem obvious: both! This is because the views from the two roads are very different but both are magnificent. If, on the other hand, you are short of time, it is advisable to take the northern route and in particular deviate to the Route de Crêtes, undoubtedly the most spectacular.
Please remember to fill up with petrol before embarking on these routes, as service stations are scarce.
This is an uninterrupted succession of belvederes that will give you unforgettable views, such as at the famous Point Sublime, which is perpetually jammed with cars in summer.
Here are the most beautiful viewpoints:
Following the Route des Gorges, when you reach the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon, you take the D23, called Route de Crêtes: a ring-route of about 23 km that climbs in altitude and offers incredible overhanging views of the gorges. The road is winding, many sections are one-way and in places without guardrails, but nothing particularly difficult.
The road offers about fifteen wonderful viewpoints with several rest areas. Some are truly unmissable, such as the Trescaire belvedere, from where you can see the junction of three valleys, the Escalès belvedere and the Dent d’Aire belvedere, the most incredible viewpoint on the route, the only one from which you can see the entire course of the river.
This is the road south of the crevasse, which offers wonderful views of the gorges. Here are the main viewpoints from where you can take beautiful photos:
The roads described above follow, as far as possible, exactly the sides of the canyon, but you can consider numerous detours that will take you to wonderful and in some cases unique places.
Below are the most important places and attractions near the Verdon gorges.
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is the most famous village in the area. With its stream running through it, its walk to the waterfall and the ascent to the chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Beauvoir from where you have a view over the entire valley, it is a must-see for its enchanting atmosphere.
With an area of 2,200 hectares and a basin of 767 million m3, it is the second largest artificial lake in France and the largest lake in the Verdon.
The particularity of Lake Sainte-Croix is the bright green colour of its waters, given by the high concentration of minerals that make them up.
Today, thanks to its turquoise waters and the pretty tourist resorts on its shores, in particular Bauduen and on the opposite shore Sainte-Croix de Verdon, Lake Sainte-Croix has become the main tourist site on the Verdon, where you can enjoy a wide range of water activities, such as windsurfing, kayaking or rowing boats.
Strolling through the cobbled streets of Castellane is like taking a dip into the past. Famous is the Chapelle Notre-Dame du Roc, which dominates Castellane from the top of an imposing rocky spur. The climb to the chapel, which takes about an hour, is rewarded with spectacular views of the town and surrounding countryside.
Other highlights of the village include the Clock Tower and the Saint-Victor Church. Finally, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the local markets, where you can buy typical Provençal products such as cheese, olives, honey and lavender.
Overlooking Lake Sainte-Croix, but at an altitude of over 800 metres, the village of Aiguines offers an exceptional panorama, particularly from the Saint-Pierre chapel.
In Quinson , you can visit the Musée de la Préhistoire. In July and August, the museum organises guided tours to the Grotte de la Baume Bonne, a prehistoric cave. From the car park of this museum, there is also a beautiful walk to be taken in the surrounding area: the channel guard path. It presents no difficulty and offers magnificent views of the Lower Gorges along the old canal. The complete tour is 9 km.
Even less touristy than the lakes of Sainte-Croix and Esparron, Lake Quinson nevertheless offers some activities such as pedal boats, canoes and electric boats.
In Allemagne-en-Provence, you should not miss a fairytale castle, le Chateau d’Allemagne. If you love truffles, you can instead make a food and wine stop in nearby Montagnac-Montpezat.
There are two lakes that are as beautiful as they are different: on the one hand, Lac de Chaudanne, with steep and hardly accessible shores, and on the other Lac de Castillon, with gentle beaches for swimming and boating. Here you can enjoy water skiing, windsurfing or paddle boarding at one of the 2 water sports bases in Saint-Julien-du-Verdon and Saint-André-les-Alpes. Or rent a kayak to discover Lake Castillon or follow one of the many hiking trails around the lake.
Remember that a small part of the lake is closed to navigation because the area belongs to the Navy.
Saint-André-les-Alpes is an excellent base for hiking, paragliding or a boat trip on the lake. Don’t miss a visit to the Maison du Saucisson, a salami lover’s paradise: in addition to the canonical pork salami, they also have donkey, wild boar and ostrich salami.
The Valensole plateau is the most beautiful place to admire the lavender fields. If you are looking for the most typical landscape in Provence, all you have to do is add this diversions to your itinerary. From the end of June to mid-July, the lavender starts to bloom and takes on its beautiful purple colour, so photogenic.
As you may have guessed, the period is rather short to discover the Valensole plateau in bloom. But even if the lavender has been cut, you can visit the small shops that sell this typical product in all its forms: soap, perfume, essential oils, honey.
Sillans la Cascade is a Var village located just 9 km from Aups, at the gateway to the Verdon regional park. Its main curiosity is its superb waterfall, 44 metres high, where the Bresque flows into a magnificent blue-green basin reminiscent of the Verdon.
From the car park at the waterfall, there is a 1 km walk, about 15 minutes, with easy access, partially shaded even in summer. Just before arriving, you can admire the waterfall and take a fabulous photo. From here the path becomes more complicated but remains largely passable even for small children.
When you reach the waterfall you will be speechless: you will be amazed by the green colour of the crystal clear water.
The valley is home to two waterfalls where swimming is allowed: the Carmes waterfall, reached by taking the path to the right. This large shaded pool is ideal with children because its access is easier than the Gouffre aux épines waterfall, which can be reached by taking the path to the left. It is less crowded and therefore proves to be a very quiet place.
You can also walk to the Croix du Castellas viewpoint to admire the panorama of the valley or take the other path that leads to an old troglodyte convent dating back to 1670.
The Vallon des Carmes is located a stone’s throw from Barjols in the Var département. It can be reached on foot from the village centre and the ascent to the valley is easy. However, it is also possible to get there by car.
The valley is a mix of bathing spots and belvederes: you will find two waterfalls where bathing is permitted all year round. Access is easy but not recommended for buggies and people with reduced mobility, due to several steps along the way.
Once there, on the right, you will reach the first waterfall: the Cascade des Carmes, which is easy to access, with a large shaded pool and the possibility of bathing children’s feet. On the left is the Gouffre aux Epines waterfall, with pretty pools to cool off in. The waterfall has a slightly larger pool, but with fewer opportunities to spread your towel, so it is less crowded.
For hiking enthusiasts, taking the path to the second waterfall, you will climb higher and have the opportunity to go to the Croix du Castellas viewpoint, from where you will discover a breathtaking view of Barjols and its valley.
The Vallon des Carmes is still little known but offers a wild and unspoilt environment.
Cotignac is a small village in the Var département, at the gateway to the Gorges du Verdon. The village benefits from the Village de Caractère label: it is also known for being a place of pilgrimage, with a majestic setting, with its Rocher watching over its population.
Le Rocher is a tufa cliff, 400 metres long and 80 metres high. The Cassole River originally flowed over it before being diverted from its riverbed in the 14th century. Access to the Rocca is possible from the left of the Town Hall: the ascent is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The visit is not difficult except for people prone to vertigo. The ascent is safe and you can also admire the troglodytic caves, dug to protect the inhabitants, animals and food during the various invasions that the village has experienced.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
For all trekking lovers, we recommend the GR4 trail, which descends from Point Sublime to the bottom of the gorges. To do it in its entirety, it takes two days, but there are shorter sections that allow you to reach the bottom of the canyon more quickly.
Duration: 27 min | Length: 0.8 km| Height difference: 80 metres | Level: moderate
This is a short walk, for those who don’t have a lot of time, which is easy to undertake and provides a beautiful view of the canyon. Departure from the Samson couloir viewpoint, just below Point Sublime.
Duration: 6 hours | Length: 13 km| Height difference: 1,046 m | Level: difficult
This is certainly one of the most spectacular trails you can take, especially for the variety of passages you will walk.
Starting from the refuge de la Maline, you descend along a steep and winding path that leads to the Charençon precipice. Passing through the forest and with the help of a safety rope, you arrive at the bottom of the gorge, where you can take a break at the Meadow of Issane on the banks of the Verdon. From here, you continue through the Straits of the Cavaliers and arrive at one of the most scenic points of the hike: the Imbert Breach, opposite the Fères and Escalens caves, which you cross using a metal staircase with 240 steps.
The trail continues past the characteristic TrascaÏres Towers to three tunnels, the remains of a 19th-century project to divert the waters of the Verdon. While the first two galleries can be passed fairly easily, torches are needed for the third, the 670-metre-long Baou Tunnel.
Duration: 5 hours | Length: 9.2 km | Height difference: 674 m | Level: difficult
The Imbut trail is another beautiful hike in the Verdon Regional Nature Park.
Calculate about a 5-hour round trip walk: it takes you through the bottom of the Gorges, at the height of the Styx canyon. With its huge rocks and sheer cliffs surrounding you, it is one of the most beautiful places in the Verdon.
Access to the Imbut trail is at the Knights’ Cliff (Grand Canyon hotel), 20 km after Aiguines. Here too, bring comfortable shoes and enough water for the entire hike.
As the hike is somewhat technical, it is possible to do it accompanied by an experienced guide
The Lizard trail starting from the Sublime Point car park is ideal with children, while the Chemin du Bastidon, on the way to the chalet de la Maline, takes about 4h30 round trip.
The Grand Margès trail to the summit of Margès will take you more than 1,500 metres above sea level.
Finally, we would like to point out that you can find several very beautiful walks around the Sainte-Croix lakes or the Esparron lake.
Advice
- Always carry a good pair of walking shoes, a supply of water, a windbreaker, a first aid kit and a torch.
- If you are not an expert, take the more challenging trails with a local guide.
- Equip yourself with a detailed map to get to know the area you are going to explore well.
- Never leave the indicated paths or try to take shortcuts: precipices are just around the corner.
- Do not cross the Verdon: it is a mountain river and can hide dangerous pitfalls such as unexpected whirlpools or sudden rises in the water level due to unexpected storms.
- Always check the weather forecast before embarking on demanding, long-duration tours, as thunderstorms can be quite violent in this area.
- As in all natural environments, it is good practice to respect nature, avoiding picking flowers, lighting fires and leaving abandoned rubbish.
- To optimise movement, we recommend that you leave your car at the end of the hike, towards the sublime point. From here you can take the shuttle bus or a taxi to the beginning of the trail (allow 30 minutes by car). This way, you will have your car on arrival. Shuttles are available from La Palud-sur-Verdon in season: they drop hikers off in the morning at Chalet de la Maline and pick them up at the end of the afternoon at Point Sublime. Reservations for the shuttle can be made online. Alternatively, you can call a taxi, which must be booked in advance.
For lovers of unspoilt nature, the Verdon lakes are a true piece of paradise: pure air, dense forests and bright green, crystal-clear waters, ideal for all kinds of water sports, swimming or simply sunbathing on the pebble beaches.
One of the best ways to admire the depths of the gorges of Europe’s largest canyon is by boat or canoe.
The most famous spot is at the Galetas bridge on the Sainte-Croix lake. You can sail up the Verdon for 2 km before turning back at the buoys indicating the end of the navigation area.
The excursion takes about 2 hours and the cost of hiring a canoe for half a day is about 25€ and 30€ for the day, available from April to November.
For families with small children, it is also possible to visit the Verdon gorges by pedalo.
In addition to Lake Sainte-Croix, you can also canoe at the Baudinard Gorges, the Lower Gorges between Esparron and Quinson and on Lake Esparron, places that are normally less crowded than the Galetas Bridge.
For those who like comfort, we recommend hiring an electric boat, which does not require a licence to drive it. The daily cost of the boat varies between €150 and €180 and rental companies can be found near Esparron, at Lake Quinson, near Baudinard and, of course, at Lake Sainte-Croix.
In addition to leisurely canoe or boat trips, it is also possible to practice a variety of more adrenalin-pumping water sports. The most popular are rafting, canyoning in the crevasses, hot dogging, i.e. descending the river in inflatable canoes, hydrospeed with a board, aqua-trekking, water rambling, i.e. mountain biking in the water, and floating, dedicated to the most courageous: a kind of rafting without a boat using a floating rucksack placed on your back.
With its turquoise waters, it is hard to resist a swim in the Verdon gorges. Although bathing is prohibited in some places, you can take a dip in the four Verdon lakes, all of which have more or less developed beaches and some of which are even guarded.
The best beaches are Bauduen, a white pebble, supervised beach on the shores of Sainte-Croix, Cheiron beach, sandy on the lake of Castillon, Plan beach, also in Castillon, Esparron beach, a supervised lido with a nautical base, the Touron beach, in Saint-Julien du Verdon, the Galetas beach, on the shore of the Sainte-Croix lake and at the foot of the famous bridge, and finally the Margaridon beach, a long tongue of sand, towards the village of Salles-sur-Verdon.
For those who need a little more action and adrenaline during their stay in the Gorges du Verdon, there is a choice of numerous sporting activities, all of which are very popular: we advise you, in the summer months, to book as soon as possible to be sure of finding a place.
Paragliding is perfect for discovering the spectacular Verdon gorges from above: there are various flight durations, starting at €85 for 15 minutes.
Bungee jumping is practised at the Artuby Bridge, the highest bridge in Europe where this experience is practised. A jump of 182 metres awaits you for a pure adrenalin rush.
You could also opt for a 1-hour helicopter flight right above the Verdon natural park, 20 minutes of ULM over the Verdon and the Alpes de Haute-Provence or enjoy an unforgettable experience in a hot-air balloon: from 230€ per person for a 1h30 flight.
If, on the other hand, you enjoy physical challenges, you can choose from 20 mountain bike circuits, set up to explore the Verdon by bicycle, including electric bikes, or by off-road downhill scooter.
Or try your hand atclimbing: the Gorges du Verdon is renowned as one of the most beautiful climbing sites in France. More than 1,500 routes will delight climbers, who can also try the Via Cordata, a route between the crags, 200 metres above the Verdon.
Whether you are just passing through, to admire the panoramic viewpoints of the canyon, or whether you decide to practice one of the various sporting activities the area has to offer, we recommend staying near the Gorges du Verdon. A hotel in the Gorges du Verdon means sleeping in an exceptional natural environment, surrounded by mid-altitude mountains, majestic lakes and the Verdon river. A perfect mix for breathtaking landscapes.
Depending on the orientation of your itinerary and your budget, you can find a hotel in the villages of La Palud-sur-Verdon, Castellane, Moustier-Sainte-Marie or Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon.
If, on the other hand, you wish to stay closer to the Verdon lakes, then you will have to look for accommodation in the different villages along the water: Esparron-de-Verdon, Quinson, Rougon and Saint-Julien-du-Verdon.
The Gorges du Verdon are criss-crossed by easily passable roads offering panoramic viewpoints where you can easily park your car to admire a truly enchanting landscape.
To reach this area, the nearest airport is Nice Airport, which is only a 2-hour and 15-minute drive away, after having rented a car locally. Alternatively, you can land at Marseille Airport: with a rented car you will reach the gorges in 2 hours and 20 minutes, depending on traffic.
What's the weather at The Verdon Gorge? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at The Verdon Gorge for the next few days.
The Verdon area is located in Provence, on the border between the Var and Alpes de Haute Provence departments . In particular, the stretch of the gorges lies between the communes of Castellane and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie.
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