The Verdon Gorge in 5 days
The Verdon has cut a canyon 25 kilometres long and up to 700 metres deep into the limestone of Provence, and its water runs an unmistakable turquoise green. See it first from above, from the Route des Crêtes viewpoints with vultures gliding below, then from the bottom.
The plan, day by day
Day 1
- Morning
Route des Crêtesfree · about 2 hA 24-kilometre loop from La Palud-sur-Verdon past some fourteen clifftop viewpoints, where griffon vultures skim the rock faces and climbers hang on long routes.
Day 2
- All day
The Blanc-Martel traila full dayA 15-kilometre hike on the canyon floor from Chalet de la Maline to Point Sublime, with metal ladders and a 670-metre tunnel; bring a torch.
Day 3
- Morning
Point Sublimefree · about 1 hA viewpoint ten minutes' walk from the car park near Rougon, looking down into the narrow Couloir Samson where the canyon opens up.
- Afternoon
Balcons de la Mesclafree · about 1 hThe high point of the Corniche Sublime on the Var side, 250 metres straight above the tight bend where the Artuby meets the Verdon.
Day 4
- Morning
Lake Sainte-Croixhalf a dayA reservoir created in the 1970s; hire a pedalo, canoe or electric boat at the Galetas bridge and paddle into the mouth of the gorge.
- Late afternoon
Moustiers-Sainte-Mariefree · about 1 h 30A village famous for its blue and white faience, below two cliffs linked by a chain hung with a golden star.
Day 5
- Morning
The Valensole plateaufree · about 1 h 30Twenty minutes from Moustiers, rows of lavandin stretching to the Alps, in full colour from mid-June to mid-July along the D6 and D8.
- Afternoon
Quinson Museum of Prehistory2 to 3 hA Norman Foster building covering a million years of human life in the Verdon, with finds from nearby caves and a reconstructed prehistoric village outside.
Where to sleep in the Verdon Gorge
- Camping Manaysse · €25 a night
- Auberge des Crêtes · €85 a night
- Ma Petite Auberge · €85 a night
- Hôtel les Restanques de Moustiers · €130 a night
- Auberge du Point Sublime · €110 a night
- Hôtel Les Deux Lions · €110 a night
- La Bastide de Moustiers · €330 a night
- Hôtel & Spa des Gorges du Verdon · €260 a night
- Château de Trigance · €220 a night
Plan this trip
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