What is there to do in the Verdon Gorge?

Where are the Verdon Gorges located?

Carved out by the Verdon River, the Verdon Gorges are located between Castellane and Lake Sainte-Croix. They mark the border between the Var and the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence departments.

The gorge can be divided into three sections:

The section known as the “pré-gorges,” which stretches from Castellane to the hamlet of Pont-de-Soleils;

The gorges that continue on to La Palud-sur-Verdon;

And the final gorge leading to the Galetas Bridge in Les Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. Deep and narrow, the Verdon Canyon ranges in width from 6 to 100 meters and in depth from 250 to 700 meters.

Must-See Places

Camping

Sillans Waterfall

Galetas Bridge

Lake Sainte-Croix

Sublime Point

Baudinard Gorge

Lower Verdon Gorges

Other Places and Activities in the Verdon

When is the best time to visit the Verdon Gorges?

The Provençal climate makes the Verdon Gorges a great destination to explore from spring through fall. In summer, the landscape is, of course, magnificent, and the water takes on its most beautiful shades of turquoise.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the best time of year to fully enjoy the beauty of the place, since it’s always crowded! The months of May, June, and September are therefore the best times to visit.

And if it happens to rain during your vacation, don’t hesitate to check out the things to do in the Verdon when it rains. You’ll enjoy beautiful weather without having to deal with large crowds at the site or at our campground in the Gorges du Verdon.

Temperatures, which are slightly cooler than in July and August, are especially ideal for a stay in one of our mobile homes, cabins, or on a campsite at our campground. Prices for activities and tourist services will also be lower!

How can I visit the Verdon Gorge?

Explore the Verdon Gorge by car

On the right bank of the river, a driving tour starting in Castellane offers breathtaking views of the canyon. The D23A road takes you almost to the bottom of the gorge, where you can admire the remarkable geological formations of the Samson Corridor and the Baou Tunnel.

A lookout point called “Point Sublime,” a 10-minute walk away, offers you the chance to admire the Samson Corridor from above.

From the Auberge des Crêtes, before entering La Palud-sur-Verdon, turn left onto the Route des Crêtes. It features about ten viewing platforms set up to let you enjoy the breathtaking view down into the gorges. Among the most exceptional, don’t miss: The Trescaïre viewpoint, undoubtedly the most breathtaking of all, perched 400 meters above the river. The Carelle viewpoint, a legendary spot forrock climbers. The Dent d’Aire viewpoint, popular with photography enthusiasts, from which you’ll likely spot vultures. The Chalet de la Maline viewpoint, where the Martel Trail begins—an iconic hike through the Verdon Gorges.

Other less-visited spots also offer magnificent scenery for a canoe trip: these include the Baudinard Gorges, the lower gorges between Quinson and Esparron, and Lake Esparron.

You can also take boat trips on the Verdon by electric boat: a clean, quiet, family-friendly, and relaxing way to explore, ideal for young children.
Be sure to check out one of the region’s top activities: rafting down the Verdon Gorges.

Explore the Verdon Gorges by canoe

To get a different perspective on the Verdon Gorges, there’s nothing quite like exploring the canyon by canoe: the cliffs will seem all the more dizzying. The Galetas Bridge, on Lake Sainte-Croix, is the most famous starting point for canoe trips through the Verdon Gorge.

The river flows upstream and then back downstream for 2 km, making for a trip of about two hours. Take this opportunity to explore the lakes of the Gorges du Verdon. The site also offers pedal boats for rent.

Explore the Verdon Gorges on Foot

Exploring the Verdon on foot will allow you to enjoy breathtaking views and encounter the canyon’s unique flora and fauna. There are several trails to explore if you enjoy hiking. The most iconic is the Martel Trail, also known as the Blanc-Martel Trail. Discover the most beautiful hiking trails in the Verdon.

It begins at the Chalet de la Maline in La Palud-sur-Verdon and leads to the lower village of Rougon, not far from the Point Sublime, after a 6- or 7-hour hike. This legendary hike includes a passage through a tunnel nearly 1,000 meters long. The Imbut Trail hike takes you through the bottom of the gorges, in one of the most beautiful areas of the Verdon: the Styx Canyon.

This 5-hour hike is fairly technical and can be done with a local guide. These advanced hikes should only be undertaken during the warmer months.

There are other trails where you can hike or take a family walk through the gorges: the Lézard Trail, for example, starts at the Point Sublime parking lot and is perfect for walking with children. The Himalayan suspension bridge at the Trans Waterfalls is also a lovely spot to explore with the family.

Where can you go swimming in the Verdon Gorge?

The turquoise, crystal-clear waters of the Verdon evoke distant, idyllic destinations. They’re simply perfect for swimming! While swimming is generally prohibited in the canyon section of the gorge, the lakes will allow you to enjoy the pleasure of immersing yourself in the Verdon’s incredibly blue waters.

Between the charm of the white pebbles at Bauduen Beach on Lake Sainte-Croix and the fine sand at Cheiron Beach on Lake Castillon, the water sports center at Esparron Beach, the stunning setting of Galetas Bridge Beach, and the long stretch of sand at Margaridon Beach in Les Salles-de-Verdon, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to swimming with your family, relaxing by the water, or trying your hand at a wide range of water and boating activities. To preserve all these beautiful places, practice ecotourism in the Verdon.

Be sure to also explore Allemagne-en-Provence and its historic castle, Castellane and its hilltop church, the thermal baths in Gréoux-les-Bains, and the Museum of Prehistory in Quinson.

Just a short distance from the most beautiful viewpoints overlooking the gorges lie the charming villages of Rougon and La Palud-sur-Verdon. To enjoy the beaches and water sports, head to Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon, Les Salles-sur-Verdon, Esparron, or Bauduen. Set out to explore the most beautiful towns in the Verdon Gorges.

The Villages of the Verdon Gorges

All around the Verdon Gorges—above the canyon or along the shores of the lakes—there are picturesque villages to explore, each offering its own charm, heritage, recreational activities, and traditions.

The most famous is undoubtedly the one in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie: its setting is enchanting, and it offers some of the most pleasant walking trails along its stream, around its waterfall, and all the way to the Notre-Dame de Beauvoir Chapel.

Above Lake Sainte-Croix, Aiguines is also worth a visit for its panoramic views, as is Saint-Julien-du-Verdon above Lake Castillon.

The Lakes of the Gorges du Verdon

Lake Sainte-Croix: the largest lake in the Verdon region, it is also its main tourist attraction thanks to its well-developed shores, its incredible range of water sports, and its turquoise waters—a hallmark of the Verdon. The Saint-Pierre Chapel, which overlooks the village of Aiguines, offers one of the most beautiful panoramic views of Lake Sainte-Croix.
Lake Esparron: Less crowded than Lake Sainte-Croix, it offers a more untamed setting. However, visitors can enjoy a variety of water sports there, such as sailing and paddle boating, as well as pleasant guided boat tours to the entrance of the Lower Gorges.
Lake Quinson: Even more pristine, Lake Quinson is a favorite among lovers of unspoiled nature and wide-open spaces. You can also explore its waters by canoe, electric boat, or pedal boat. In the village near the lake, there is a fascinating, internationally renowned museum of prehistory.
Lake Castillon: Two water sports centers await enthusiasts of windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and even water skiing. Numerous hiking trails invite you to explore the lake’s shores and their rich biodiversity.

Your questions about the Verdon Gorge

How many days does it take to visit the Verdon Gorge?

You won’t easily tire of the Verdon and its enchanting landscapes. But if you’re planning a short trip to explore the gorges, the ideal is to set aside 2 to 3 days, which will allow you to experience all the delights the destination has to offer: water sports on the turquoise waters, a tour of the lookout points, exploring the surrounding villages, and—why not?—a beautiful hike through the canyon. If you can spend a week in the Verdon Gorges, that’s even better!

Visiting the Verdon Gorge in a weekend: Is it possible?

Do you have a weekend to explore the Verdon Gorge? On the first day, we recommend driving through the area to take in the landscape as a whole, enjoy the stunning views from the lookout points, and explore a few charming villages.
Then spend your second day swimming, taking a boat ride, or hiking!

Visiting the Verdon Gorge with the family: Is it a good idea?

While the Verdon is adored by enthusiasts of rock climbing, technical hiking, and canyoning, it is also a very family-friendly tourist destination that offers activities for every taste: accessible walking trails, supervised beaches, scenic overlooks you can reach by car, guided boat tours on the lakes, and rides on pedal boats or electric boats that don’t require a license.

Visiting the Verdon Gorge in one day: Is it possible?

If you only have one day, spend it enjoying the must-see activities in the Verdon Gorge: take a canoe or electric boat ride from the Galetas Bridge and explore Lake Sainte-Croix: its shores, its well-maintained beaches, and its breathtaking scenery as seen from the heights of Aiguines.

What are the must-see places?

Some of the must-see sites in the Verdon Gorge include:

Lake Sainte-Croix
The Route des Crêtes and its lookout points overlooking the canyon
The incredible view from the balcony at La MesclaThe canoe trip starting from the Galetas Bridge
The Legendary Village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

Culture and Sightseeing in Verdon