{"id":7289,"date":"2026-09-25T10:43:47","date_gmt":"2026-09-25T08:43:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oasis-verdon.com\/culture-visites-verdon\/verdon-caves\/"},"modified":"2026-09-25T10:49:08","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T08:49:08","slug":"verdon-caves","status":"publish","type":"verdon","link":"https:\/\/www.oasis-verdon.com\/en\/culture-visits-verdon\/verdon-caves\/","title":{"rendered":"Verdon Caves"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"diaporama-header align-full\"><div class=\"gallery\"><figure class=\"gallery__item\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.oasis-verdon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AdobeStock_495525715-420x278.webp\" media=\"(max-width: 210px)\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.oasis-verdon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AdobeStock_495525715-850x563.webp\" media=\"(max-width: 420px)\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.oasis-verdon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AdobeStock_495525715-768x508.webp\" media=\"(max-width: 850px)\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.oasis-verdon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AdobeStock_495525715-1024x678.webp\" media=\"(max-width: 1024px)\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.oasis-verdon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AdobeStock_495525715.webp\" media=\"(min-width: 1025px)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.oasis-verdon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AdobeStock_495525715-420x278.webp\" width=\"420\" height=\"210\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><\/picture><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"diaporama-header__inner\"><div class=\"group resa\"><p><ctv-searchbar><\/ctv-searchbar><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><nav aria-label=\"breadcrumbs\" class=\"rank-math-breadcrumb\"><p><span class=\"last\">Home<\/span><\/p><\/nav>\n<div class=\"group\"><h1 style=\"text-align: center;\">The Most Beautiful Caves of the Verdon: <span class=\"fc-span\">Our Tips for Getting the Most Out of Them<\/span><\/h1><p class=\"mini center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"  ><strong>Three caves in the Verdon<\/strong> stand out, both for their interest and for their accessibility. Located 8 km from our campground in <strong>Aups<\/strong>, the <strong>troglodytic caves of Villecroze<\/strong> can be explored on foot with the whole family. In <strong>Quinson<\/strong>, the prehistoric cave of La Baume Bonne can only be visited with a guide.  <\/p><div class=\"lireplus mini fc-mob\"><p class=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"  >Read more<\/p><div class=\"group\"><div class=\"group\"><p class=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"73\" >Finally, you can admire the <strong>caves of the Baudinard Gorges<\/strong> from the water, by canoe. For each one, our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oasis-verdon.com\/en\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"73\">Verdon campground<\/a> tells you what you\u2019ll see there and how to best prepare for your visit. <\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"group\"><h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td>Cave<\/td><td>Duration of the visit<\/td><td>Audience and Access<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Villecroze Caves<\/td><td>45 minutes to 1 hour<\/td><td>Ages 6 and up, on foot<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Baume Bonne, in Quinson<\/td><td>3 hours and 30 minutes, including 2 hours and 30 minutes of walking<\/td><td>Ages 7 and up, by reservation<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Baudinard Gorge<\/td><td>2 to 3 hours by canoe<\/td><td>Best viewed from the outside<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div><div class=\"group sec-25\">\n<div class=\"map_banner\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/embed?mid=1fByT_pIZo4rTib6hjvYFu6hMZIaP9bo&#038;ehbc=2E312F&#038;noprof=1\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" style=\"border:0;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"group\"><h2>Family Hike: <span class=\"fc-span\">The Villecroze Caves<\/span><\/h2><p    >Of all the <strong>caves in the Verdon<\/strong>, the ones in Villecroze are the easiest to reach from our campground, just 8 km away.<\/p><p    >Carved into the tuff cliff, <strong>these cavities initially served as a refuge<\/strong> and were later converted into a fortified dwelling during the Renaissance. Today, they form a <strong>designated natural site<\/strong> that overlooks the municipal park and its waterfall. <\/p><p    >As for <strong>the tour<\/strong>, the <strong>walk takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour<\/strong>. <strong>Admission is \u20ac5,<\/strong> and children ages 0 to 6 are not permitted, even when accompanied by an adult. Finally, be sure to book online and wear closed-toe shoes.  <\/p><p    ><em>What travelers say: With a rating of 4.4\/5 based on over 4,000 reviews, the site owes much to a passionate guide who tells its story with humor. We also love the flower-filled park, the waterfall, and the cool, shaded galleries\u2014making for a tour that lasts about an hour and is suitable for everyone. <\/em><\/p><\/div><div class=\"group\"><h2 style=\"text-align: right;\">Guided Tour: <span class=\"fc-span\">The Baume Bonne Cave<\/span><\/h2><p  style=\"text-align: right;\"  >Unlike <strong>Villecroze<\/strong>, the Baume Bonne Cave can only be visited <strong>with a guide from the Gorges du Verdon Prehistory Museum<\/strong> in Quinson.<\/p><p  style=\"text-align: right;\"  >And the trip is well worth it, because according to Alpes de Haute-Provence Tourisme, this <strong>site\u2014designated a historic monument<\/strong> \u2014bears traces of human presence dating back 400,000 years, beneath a limestone cliff over 20 meters high.<\/p><p  style=\"text-align: right;\"  >In practice, this hike is suitable for <strong>experienced hikers ages 7 and up<\/strong>, since it takes a total of 3 hours and 30 minutes\u2014including 2 hours and 30 minutes of walking\u2014to cover 3.5 km with an elevation gain of 200 m.<\/p><p  style=\"text-align: right;\"  >Reservations are also required; please call 04 92 74 09 59.<\/p><p  style=\"text-align: right;\"  >Whether before or after the hike, the <strong>Gorges du Verdon Museum of Prehistory<\/strong> \u2014one of Europe\u2019s largest museums dedicated to prehistory\u2014offers a chance to continue exploring.<\/p><p  style=\"text-align: right;\"  ><em>Travelers&#8217; reviews: Rated 4.5\/5, the site impresses with its hike through the garrigue, punctuated by informational signs, and a passionate guide. Visitors describe the hike as challenging but manageable, suitable for children, and feel that the vast cave more than makes up for the effort required. <\/em><\/p><\/div><div class=\"group\"><h2>Canoeing: <span class=\"fc-span\">The Cavities of the Baudinard Gorges<\/span><\/h2><p   id=\"610\" ><strong>Even wilder still<\/strong>, the <strong>Baudinard Gorges<\/strong> hide their caves within cliffs 100 to 150 meters high, which are most often explored by canoe. This canyon marks the entrance <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oasis-verdon.com\/en\/culture-visits-verdon\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"610\">to the Verdon Gorges<\/a> on the Lower Gorges side, through a narrower passage that is significantly less crowded than the main gorges. <\/p><p    >According to the town of Baudinard-sur-Verdon, these <strong>cliffs, dotted with caves<\/strong>, provided shelter for people over a very long period, from the earliest prehistoric populations through World War II.<\/p><p    >The largest chamber is thus named the <strong>\u201cChurch Cave<\/strong> \u201d: its network extends across three levels for a total length of approximately 1,400 meters, and stars painted in red can be seen on the light-colored rock.<\/p><p    >However, these caves are home to <strong>protected species<\/strong>, so they can only be viewed from the outside and are not open to visitors. There are several options available for getting to the site: <\/p><ul><li><strong>Rent a canoe<\/strong> in Saint-Laurent or Montagnac to paddle up the canyon along the river.\n<\/li><li><strong>Take the<\/strong> 13-kilometer-long <strong>Sentier des Basses Gorges trail<\/strong> to enjoy its beautiful overlooks.\n<\/li><li><strong>Book a guided tour<\/strong> to navigate this narrow route safely.\n<\/li><\/ul><p    ><em>Travelers&#8217; reviews: Rated 4.9\/5 based on over 100 reviews, this site stands out for its tranquility and unspoiled setting, far from the crowds. Visitors recommend canoeing or taking an electric boat, advise booking early, and remind visitors that swimming is prohibited because the water is freezing. <\/em><\/p><\/div><div class=\"group\"><h2 style=\"text-align: right;\">Our Tips for a Great Visit <span class=\"fc-span\">to the Verdon Caves<\/span><\/h2><p  style=\"text-align: right;\"  >To make the most of your <strong>visit to the Verdon Caves<\/strong>, there are three key tips to keep in mind: book early, choose your time slot wisely, and stay safe on the water. In practice, mornings tend to be the most pleasant, before the thermal wind picks up over the lake in the early afternoon. <em>\u201cOn the lake, we regularly recommend setting out early and returning before noon<\/em>, <em>\u201d<\/em> explains the team at L\u2019Oasis du Verdon. Here are some additional recommendations before you head out:  <\/p><p  style=\"text-align: right;\"  ><strong>Book your tour of the Villecroze caves online<\/strong>; tours are limited to 50 people per time slot.<\/p><p  style=\"text-align: right;\"  ><strong>Call the Baume Bonne Museum<\/strong>; admission depends on the schedule.<\/p><p  style=\"text-align: right;\"  >Wear <strong>closed-toe shoes<\/strong> that fit snugly\u2014they&#8217;re essential on rocky trails.<\/p><p  style=\"text-align: right;\"  ><strong>Stay alert along the Verdon River,<\/strong> as warnings from the Lower Gorges indicate that dam releases are causing a sudden rise in water levels.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"group\"><h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Would you like to plan your visit <span class=\"fc-span\">to the Verdon Caves from Aups?<\/span><\/h2><p class=\"mini center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"  >Why not add the <strong>Verdon Caves<\/strong> to your itinerary for your next vacation? From L\u2019Oasis du Verdon in Aups, you can reach Villecroze in just a few minutes, then Quinson and the Baudinard Gorges in a single day. Book <strong>your campsite or lodging<\/strong> now, and make the Verdon Caves the highlight of your adventures in the Haut-Var!  <\/p><\/div><div class=\"lireplus fc-desk\"><p    >Sources<\/p><div class=\"group\"><div class=\"group\"><ul><li>Villecroze Town Hall, The Caves: https:\/\/mairie-villecroze.fr\/decouvrir-villecroze\/les-grottes\/\n<\/li><li>Alpes de Haute-Provence Tourism, La Baume Bonne Prehistoric Cave: https:\/\/www.tourisme-alpes-haute-provence.com\/visites-et-musees\/5394471_site-et-monument-historique-quinson-grotte-prehistorique-de-la-baume-bonne\/\n<\/li><li>Verden Gorge Prehistory Museum: https:\/\/www.museeprehistoire.com\/accueil\n<\/li><li>Town of Baudinard-sur-Verdon, Baudinard Gorges and Caves: https:\/\/www.baudinard.fr\/gorges-et-grottes-de-baudinard\n<\/li><li>Provence-Alpes-C\u00f4te d\u2019Azur Tourism, Lower Verdon Gorges: https:\/\/provence-alpes-cotedazur.com\/decouvrir\/espaces-naturels\/basses-gorges-verdon\/\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n        \r\n        <div class=\"buttons between\">\r\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oasis-verdon.com\/en\/culture-visits-verdon\/lake-quinson\/\" class=\"buttons__btn\">\r\n                    Lake Quinson                <\/a>\r\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oasis-verdon.com\/en\/culture-visits-verdon\/lake-saint-laurent\/\" class=\"buttons__btn\">\r\n                    Lake Saint Laurent                <\/a>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n\r\n    \r\n","protected":false},"featured_media":7286,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oasis-verdon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/verdon\/7289"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oasis-verdon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/verdon"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oasis-verdon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/verdon"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oasis-verdon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7286"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oasis-verdon.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7289"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}