Les gorges du Verdon - what you need to know
Spectacular gorges du Verdon / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: depositphotos
What is the Gorges du Verdon?
An extraordinary 23 km canyon. It's the largest in Europe. It is crossed by the Verdon river, which flows part of its 166 kms here and passes the beautiful lakes it feeds before continuing its course to the Durance near Vinon sur Verdon. It has been doing this for thousands of years, and this is what has carved out this canyon. The difference in altitude is impressive, since there are between 300 and 700 meters between the riverbed and the surrounding peaks. Forest-covered mountains of great nobility and home to typical wildlife. With so much mountain and so many aquatic possibilities,this tourist spot is very popular with sportsmen of all stripes and families, as evidenced by the many activities on offer and the numerous campsites to be found in the region. The Gorges du Verdon are part of the Parc National du Verdon, whose highest peaks exceed 2,000 meters. So, beyond the gorges, there's plenty to see if you love nature and the mountains.
Lake Sainte Croix and its turquoise waters / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: janoka82 via depositphotos.com
So there are the mountains, but there are alsothe lakes, which we owe to human beings, by the way, are water reservoirs (for EDF for Lac de Castillon, for example). Don't miss le lac de Sainte Croixet ses eaux turquoises, 4 lac artificiel de France, le lac de Castillon, on which you can do all kinds of nautical activities (electric boat and go up the verdon, kayak, pedalos...) or again les lacs de Quinson, Artignosc et Esparron.
What to do in the Gorges du Verdon?
This is paradise for hikers, who can discover thousands of kilometers of routes, very well marked. It's also a cyclist's paradise, especially mountain biking,but road cyclists will love doing the route des crêtes before climbing some of the surrounding passes. Electric bikes can be ridden quite easily.The Verdons gorges are famous for kayak fans going down the Verdon, as is canoeing. But you can also indulge in pedal-boating or electric boating on the lakes. And then you can also go climbing, there are many spots and guides. You can easily bring the whole family to one of the many campsites in the region;
Where is the Gorges du Verdon?
Roughly, from Castellane to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, but if you like mountains, you can continue well beyond. By car we're 1H40 from Nice, 2H30 from Marseille, 5H from Lyon and 9H30 from Paris. For the train it's more complicated. The nearest stations are Saint-André des Alpes 30 minutes away by car or Draguignan 1H20. You'll need to bring a car, but then on site, it's up to you to walk or bike.Electric bikes can be rented if you don't have one, and there are repairers if you're not sure how to deal with technical problems.
The view is always spectacular wherever you are and there are 14 viewpoints on the route des crêtes / Photo Jérôme Prod'homme (c)
Les gorges du Verdon what to see?
The natural spectacle is breathtaking. Walking along the route des crêtes, or kayaking down the Verdon, you're surrounded by very high cliffs (sometimes up to 700 meters vertical drop). It makes you feel very small! You can also discover magnificent lakes. Their color, which is also that of the Verdon, oscillates between turquoise and emerald.
Verdon River Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com : Voyagerix via depositphotos
The best moment of the year to discover Verdon Gorges ?
If you don't like intense heat and very touristy places, avoid the period from July 15 to August 30, although the sun is very pleasant and the locals know how to find shady spots (there are lots of pergolas and trees planted to provide shade). June is the best time to visit, but September is also very sunny. Autumn is famous for its colors, and you won't have as many tourists as in summer. I went in May, and there can be quite a few storms, but the weather is never unpleasant during a full week.
3 villages to see around Gorges du Verdon
Moustiers Sainte Marie: the Provencal crib nestled under its mountain;
Moustiers Sainte Marie sous sa montagne : By User:Nepomuk (also on en:Utilisateur:Nepomuk) - see below, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1275841
It's hard to get much prettier and, above all, more typical than Moustiers Sainte Marie. Discovering it beneath its mountain, you get the impression that some giant has treated himself to a Provençal nativity scene. Pretty red-tiled houses, twisting around the venerable pink bell tower of Notre Dame de l'Assomption church. The narrow streets feature numerous shops, especially for faience, the local specialty. If you like this material there's something for everyone, from modern shapes to pretty hand-painted table decorations. It's a graceful, flowery earthenware that deserves to be more famous;
Mountains around the city of moustiers Sainte Marie / photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com : proslgn via depositphotos
Also worth seeing, but it has to be earned because it's high up, the Notre Dame de Beauvoir chapel, high above the town. It dates back to the 12th century. After walking up the mountain in the sunshine, the contrast with the shade of the building's interior is striking (and refreshing). It immediately invites reflection;
Castellane: the pretty city of the gorges du Verdon.
On the way to Roc de Castellane / Photo Jérôme Prod'homme (c)
Populated by 1,500 inhabitants,the town of Castellane is dominated by the Roc, a rocky peak that emerges amid the surrounding mountains just above the town. At the top, 184 meters above the town, where the original village was, you can discover the chapel Notre Dame du Roc(which you can see very well from the town). It's a 40-minute walk if you've got good calves.The town is ancient and retains some beautiful traces of the past once you've passed the pretty main square and set off down the little lanes (tightly packed which provides welcome shade in summer). Of particular interest are the 2 churches, including the old church of Saint Victor, the clock tower and the ruins of the medieval town of Entrevaux and its terraced gardens;
A little further afield: Entrevaux and the citadel
Entrevaux / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com : Neirfys via dépositphotos.
1H from Castellane, don't miss the fortified town of Entrevaux. It's a really pretty town, set within its ramparts along the river. You'll discover many little streets lined with private mansions. Also worth a visit, but requiring good calves, is the Entrevaux citadel, which dominates the valley and offers magnificent views;
The view from the citadel / Photo Jérôme PROD'HOMME
