Gorges du Verdon

River Canyon In The Verdon Regional Nature Park, Up To Several Hundred Metres Deep (Confirm), Often Called Europe'S Grand Canyon, Opening Onto The Turquoise Lac De Sainte Croix · Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur

The Gorges du Verdon is a limestone canyon in Haute-Provence, cut by the Verdon river and often called Europe's Grand Canyon. Its cliffs drop several hundred metres in places to a river of an unreal green-turquoise colour, and at its western end the gorge opens into the Lac de Sainte-Croix, a large reservoir with beaches, pedal boats and kayaks. Most visitors see it from the roads along both rims: the Route des Crêtes loop on the north side from La Palud-sur-Verdon, and the Corniche Sublime on the south side, both narrow, twisting and lined with viewpoints. Hikers take the Sentier Blanc-Martel along the bottom of the gorge, a long one-way trail with tunnels. The most popular way in is by pedal boat or kayak from the Galetas bridge into the lower gorge. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, a village of faience pottery with a star hung between its cliffs, is the usual base. Summer brings heavy traffic, full car parks and rentals that sell out, and the river level is controlled by dams upstream.

Gorges du Verdon and Lac de Sainte-Croix, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Var, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, France

The gorge, its rim roads and viewpoints are open at all times and free, but the season shapes everything. Boat and kayak rental at the Galetas bridge and on the lake mostly runs from spring to early autumn, roughly April to October, with the longest hours and the longest queues in July and August; rentals are first come, first served at some outlets and bookable at others, so confirm and arrive early. Part of the Route des Crêtes is one-way and a section is closed to traffic in winter, typically from around November to spring, so confirm before planning the full loop off season. The Sentier Blanc-Martel is a one-way hike that needs a shuttle or taxi back to the start; shuttles run mainly in summer and may not run at all off season. Rafting and canyoning trips depend on water releases from the dams and on weather. Shops and restaurants in Moustiers and La Palud keep full hours in summer and many close for part of the winter. Car parks at the Galetas bridge and at popular viewpoints fill by mid-morning in high summer.

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