The Complete Gorges du Verdon Travel Guide

Last Updated on 9th July 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

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The turquoise waters of the Gorges du Verdon is an enticing site. Whether visitors want to go hiking, kayaking, or simply stroll around the shores of the lake and soak up the ambiance, there’s something for everyone. Here’s everything you need to know before visiting Les Gorges du Verdon, as well as the best things to do at Verdon Gorges in Provence.

What is the Gorges du Verdon?

The Gorges du Verdon is one of the largest canyons in Europe. Around 250 million years ago, the Gorges du Verdon would have been underwater. When geological plates moved to create the Alps and glaciers melted, the conditions were created that allowed for the river canyon to form.

The natural phenomenon of the canyon that visitors see today was created over hundreds of thousands of years when the Verdon River carved a pathway through limestone cliffs over the course of 15.5 miles. Today it’s one of the most popular attractions in the South of France and attracts tens of thousands of visitors on an annual basis.

While some of the limestone cliffs are just a few metres in height, others reach a staggering 700 metres high. One cool fact to note is that the unique colour of the water is the result of algae and fluroide reacting in the water.

The river Verdon then empties out into the Lake of Sainte-Croix, which is a man-made lake that was created in the 1970s. Many of the top activities at the Gorges du Verdon are centred around this 22 km squared lake.

Where is the Gorges du Verdon?

The Gorges du Verdon is located in the region of Provence in the South of France. To be even more precise, the Verdon Gorge is in the departments of Var and Alpes-Haute-de-Provence in the French administrative region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.

Medieval towns of Gorges du Verdon

Provence is home to countless quaint towns, many of them medieval and the majority of them also incredibly beautiful. The main towns close to the Verdon gorge are Moustiers-Sainte-Marie (listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France) and Castellane (a historic town with medieval churches).

La Palud sur Verdon (a little village with a 17th-century Castle), Saint Julien du Verdon (on the fringes of Lake Castillon), Entrevaux (a fortified village that sits nestled in the mountains), and Rougon (which boasts ancient Roman ruins) are all also medieval towns close to the French river Canyon, albeit a little smaller and off the beaten path.

Things to do at the Gorges du Verdon

A road trip through the Gorges du Verdon

Truth be told, one of the fastest ways to visit as much of the Gorges du Verdon as possible is to take a road trip through the area. La Route des Crêtes (literally translated into the road of ridges) is a 24 km circuit which loops around the canyon. The route can also be done on foot or by bicycle.

La Route des Crêtes of Verdon should not be confused with the La Route des Crêtes in the Alsace. Stop off at breathtaking vistas, explore medieval towns, and marvel at the glistening blue waters of the turquoise water. For more inspiration, be sure to check out our top road trip tips.

Enjoy the view from Galetas Bridge

One of the most iconic places to take photos of the gorge on one side and the lake of Sainte-Croix on the other is from Galetas bridge. There is a car park close by which is listed on Google maps as Parking Pont du Galetas.

Go hiking

If you’re a keen walker, then there is no shortage of routes from which to choose when it comes to hiking the Gorges du Verdon. In fact, there are over 1500 hiking trails in the area surrounding the River Canyon!

Some of the most popular hiking routes include the Sentier Blanc Martel (a 16 km route that takes walkers between the towns of Palud-sur-Verdon and Rougon) and Sentier L’Imbut (which starts in Palud-sur-Verdon but is much more a difficult route).

Paddleboarding and Kayaking the Gorges du Verdon

One of the more fun and adventurous ways to explore the Gorges is to kayaking or paddle boarding. You can rent various water equipment at Lac de Sainte-Croix. There are rental places either side of the Pont du Galetas. While the shores of Lake Sainte-Croix are quite calm, rapids are located around Palud-sur-Verdon and Rougon.

Those who are feeling like a different change of pace should also note that there are motorboats available for rental. There are no guided tours available at the Gorges du Verdon, so you’ll want to enquire at the boat rental location as to where you’re permitted to paddle etc.

Rent a no permit boat

If there’s one thing I recommend doing above all else when it comes to visiting the Gorges du Verdon, it’s to rent a boat that doesn’t require a permit and set out on the lake for at least half a day.

During a recent trip to Provence in July 2022, my friends and I rented a boat from ALIZE ELECTRONIC LOCATION, bateaux électriques and spent a day picnicking, swimming, and relaxing on the boat. As its name would suggest, you don’t need to have a boat license to rent the boat.

Climbing the Verdon Gorge

Adenturours travellers will be delighted to discover that there’s a myriad of climbing opportunities available at the Gorges du Verdon. Indeed, there are well over 1000 rock climbing courses available suited to all different abilities. Routes range from 20 metres to over 400 metres!

Visit Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

With its cobbled streets, quaint cafés, and historic architecture, it’s hard not to fall in love with Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, the little medieval town that’s a short drive away from Sainte-Croix.

Nestled right into the mountainside, this gorgeous some of the best things to do in the Provençal destination include clambering the hundreds of steps to above the town to reach the hermitage, going shopping in independent boutiques, and eating delicious lavender ice cream.

Tips for visiting the Gorges du Verdon

The best time of the year to visit the river canyon and its surrounds is during the summer months when the weather is at its warmest, all attractions are open, and the days are at their longest (so you’ll have extra time to explore).

With this being said, school holidays and improved weather means that the summer months are also the most popular times to visit the Gorges du Verdon. If you want the best of the weather with fewer crowds, then I would recommend visiting in late June or early September.

Since many of the activities at the Verdon Gorge are water-based, it’s a good idea to bring along a small waterproof bag to hold your valuables such as mobile phone, key, and wallet. Much of the river canyon is directly exposed to the sun so you’ll also want to pack sunglasses, sun cream, and a hat.

A swimsuit is also essential as you can go swimming in the river, as well as in Lake Sainte-Croix. Due to the intense heat of the sun during summer in Provence, plenty of water is essential and it’s also a good idea to bring snacks along for a picnic to enjoy on the shore of lake Sainte-Croix.

You can’t play music in the canyon as this disturbs the peace for other visitors (not to mention that it will disturb local wildlife).

How to get to the Verdon Gorge

The easiest way to get to the Gorges by Verdon is in your own rental car. However, if you can’t rent a car, then there are several ways to reach the Gorges (which are detailed below). Unfortunately, there is no train station close to the canyon.

Though I highly recommend staying in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie for at least a night (it truly is one of the most charming towns in the region), the Verdon gorges can be visited as a day trip from further afield.

For example, if you’re planning to take a day trip from Aix-en-Provence to the Gorges du Verdon, then the travel time is approximately two hours by car. Alternatively, the river canyon is also reachable from the French Riviera, which is also only a couple of hours drive away.

If you don’t have access to a car, then you can book to go on an organised day trip. Check here for details for guided excursions from Nice and check here for guided excursions from Aix-en-Provence.

Where to stay near Gorges du Verdon

Thanks to its large size and wealth of nearby towns, there are a number of different places to stay to suit a variety of needs and budgets.

Here are some of the best places to stay close to Gorges du Verdon (I would probably personally opt to stay in Moustiers Sainte Marie as it’s close to the Gorge but still offers a variety of dining options).

Les Jardins De l’Ermitage: This cosy charming bed-and-breakfast occupies a red-roofed cottage and offers amenities such as a pool, Wi-Fi and a restaurant on site. Check prices and availability here.

LES BASTIDES DE CHANTERAINE: Close to the shore of the lake of Gorges du Verdon, this accommodation offers both camping and mobile homes to rent. There is a pool on site, and some rooms have their own kitchen and terrace. Check prices and availability here.

La Bastide Du Paradou: Located just a short walk away from the heart of Moustuers-Sainte-Marie, this three-star hotel is set against the backdrop of a 16th-century country house. Highlights include free parking and air conditioning. Check prices and availability here.

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