In the heart of Europe, in the mountains of Provence, there is an amazingly picturesque piece of pristine nature. This is the Verdon Gorge (Grand canyon du Verdon, Gorges du Verdon), or as the locals call this attraction of France – Gorges du Verdon.
General Information
The Verdon Canyon is located in southeastern France, in the upper reaches of the Verdon River in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. Geographically, it can be seen as a kind of border between the Var and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence departments.
The gorge is approximately 25 kilometers long and 701 meters deep. At the top, the cliffs are 200-1500 meters apart, while at the bottom, in some places, the river narrows to 6 meters.
Tourism in the Gorge
The Verdon Gorge caught the attention of researchers only in the early 20th century, and in earlier historical documents, it was mentioned only as an insurmountable obstacle. In 1905, an expedition led by speleologist Edouard Alfred Martel first explored the area. The scientists traveled almost the entire canyon on two canoes but couldn’t overcome the “Funnel,” where the Verdon River runs underground for part of its course. In the 1930s, using a diving suit, Robert de Joly passed through the “Funnel.”
In the mid-20th century, when the program for the electrification of France was adopted, five dams were built on the Verdon River in the Verdon Gorge. As a result, several picturesque lakes appeared, including Lake Sainte-Croix, which remains popular with tourists. Surrounded by mountains, Lake Sainte-Croix has sandy beaches, secluded bays, and grottoes.
In the late 1970s, a large training military camp was built in this hard-to-reach area. It is used for exercises by the military of France and other European countries.
In 1997, the gorge and the surrounding area were designated as a regional park.
Routes in the Verdon Gorge
There are several routes on the park’s territory – both on the right bank of the river and on the left.
Southern Routes
Southern routes are laid along the left bank of the Verdon River. There, between the village of Aiguines and the town of Castellane, run the two-lane roads D71, D90, and D995. The main car route on the south side of the canyon is the Route de la Corniche Sublime.
The picturesque village of Aiguines has its interesting attractions: a romantic 17th-century castle and the Chapel of Saint-Jean.
The entire southern side is more scenic, but lush vegetation often obscures views of the gorge itself. However, the viewing platforms offer views of the Illoire Pass (967 m), the peaks of Mourre de Chanier, Plain Voir, Barbin, as well as the beautiful Lake Sainte-Croix reservoir.
On this side of the canyon runs the tourist hiking trail Imbut. Along its route are the Tunnel du Fayet and a beautiful arched bridge over the Artuby River, which flows into the Verdon. There are also the “Balcons de la Mescla” – ledges high on the cliffs offering a panoramic view of the gorge.
Northern Routes
Northern routes are laid along the right bank of the Verdon River, where the road D952 runs from the town of Castellane to the village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, and then D23. The main car route here is known as Route des Gorges.
There is less vegetation on this side of the gorge, but the cliffs are incredibly picturesque. The most attractive landscapes are found at the beginning and end of the road, while the middle part is slightly diverted to the side.
On the northern side, there is a bridge over another tributary of the Verdon – the Jabron River. A little further is the “Corridor Samson” – a place called the entrance to the gorge.
The village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is noteworthy. It is known for its faience products, and there is even a faience museum. The village also has an old chapel, cozily situated right on the edge of a steep cliff.
The Martel Trail, named after researcher Edouard Alfred Martel, is considered one of the most picturesque and is consistently popular with tourists. It stretches 15 km, crosses several tunnels, and passes along stairs cut right into the cliffs.
The Crêtes Road is a circular route. It runs where the D23 road makes two loops, with a viewing terrace on each. The path is quite challenging, with many cliffs, narrow and steep sections, and not always with barriers. Locals claim that this trail offers the best views of the canyon and the most stunning photos of the Verdon Gorge.
Types of Outdoor Activities in the Verdon Park
There are many opportunities for outdoor activities in the Verdon Park in France. Nature and sports enthusiasts, adventure seekers – everyone will find suitable entertainment there.
On Land
- Hiking, sports, or adventure routes, guided tours – these are the best ways to get to know the canyon.
- The dizzyingly high vertical cliffs of the Verdon Gorge are an ideal climbing ground for enthusiasts. With a professional instructor, you can learn everything you need to practice multi-pitch climbing. To add adrenaline, you can spend the night on the wall in a Portaledge and continue the journey the next day.
- You can walk the trails of the Verdon Reserve, enjoying grandiose landscapes and discovering new unusual sensations by renting a mountain bike or VTC with an electric drive.
- Horseback riding is a great way to get as close to nature as possible. You can take a horse ride independently or join a guided tour like the “Mermaid Valley” or “Vulture Search.”
On Water
- Canoeing is a great way to explore the water landscapes of the Verdon or Lake Sainte-Croix away from the tourist crowds. If you don’t want to paddle, you can rent an electric boat. Thanks to a well-organized shuttle system, there are no problems returning to the starting point.
- The Verdon Gorge offers a wide range of rafting descents – both more sporty routes and relatively calm ones that can be done with children from 7 years old. An inflatable boat holds up to 8 people, each accompanied by an experienced guide.
- Canyoning provides unforgettable experiences. To explore the canyons along the water, you’ll need a neoprene suit, helmet, and sneakers. Depending on the chosen difficulty level, you’ll have to walk between rocks, descend by rope, and make jumps.
In the Air
- Thrill-seekers will surely enjoy paragliding. You can do it independently or with a qualified guide.
- A gyrocopter or autogyro is a very light helicopter of the ULM (Ultra Light Motorized) class. With a special suit, helmet, and radio, you can take a seat in the open cockpit and enjoy a 360° view after takeoff.
- Bungee jumping is one of the most extreme activities available in the Verdon Park. A bungee jump from the Artuby Bridge, at a height of 182 meters, is an excellent remedy for routine and “quiet” rest.
How to Get There
The best starting point for a trip to the Verdon Gorge in France is the town of Castellane.
Public Transport
Scheduled buses run to Castellane from Nice, Papal Avignon, Marseille, iconic Grenoble, and some other cities in France.
From Nice bus terminal to Castellane, there are two daily trips, and one more from Nice Airport. The journey takes 2 hours and 20 minutes.
From Castellane directly to the park, shuttle buses run three times a day: at 07:35, 08:05, 15:50. The transport runs daily from July 1 to September 18, and at other times of the year – only on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
By Car
Having a car will significantly simplify your trip to the Verdon Park, as there are several car routes along the canyon, and you can choose any of them. Since there are only small provincial towns near the Verdon Park, it is better to rent a car in the nearest big city in France.
From prestigious Nice to Verdon runs highway A8. The distance is 153 km, and the journey takes 2 hours and 20 minutes. You can also take the Route de Grenoble through Castellane. With a distance of 145 km, the journey takes 2 hours and 40 minutes.
From Marseille to Verdon runs highway A51. The distance is about 160 km, and the journey takes 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Interesting Facts and Useful Tips
- The official website of the Verdon Reserve in France is lesgorgesduverdon.fr. They offer tourists a good selection of entertainment.
- Part of the tourist routes goes through cool unlit tunnels and stone stairs. Accordingly, you need comfortable shoes, warm clothes, and flashlights. You should also bring a supply of drinking water.
- Hiking in the Verdon Gorge can be done at any time of the year. The main condition is that the trails should be dry. Therefore, before the trip, you should check the current weather forecast for France.
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