It is likely that after reading about the Grand Canyon of Verdon, which is situated in the Provence-Alps-Côte d’Azur region, this beautiful area in the South of France has to be on your travel list, especially if you are a lover of nature and the mountains. Protected since 1990, as well as being named the Grand site de France by the Ministry of the Environment, Sustainable Development and Energy in order to promote the conservation of protected natural spaces. A harmonious and perfect union of the smell of lavender and vineyards, typically Provencal, with the purest mountain air.
Discover the Grand Canyon of Verdon
Crossed by the River Verdon which gave the canyon its name, the Gorges of Verdon are huge cliffs which attract hundreds of tourists, mostly during the summer months. They are narrow and deep ranging between 250 and 700 metres in depth and between 6 and 1,500 metres in width depending on the exact spot.
The River Verdon stretches along 175 km from it’s source in Allos to it’s mouth in the River Durance. It winds through majestic landscapes, dreamy panoramas and picturesque mountain villages such as Rougon, Palad-sur-Verdon, Riez, Aiguines and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie (the town of pottery), whose viewpoints offer breathtaking views of the canyon.
The Lakes of Verdon
In the heart of the National Park lies the Lake of Sainte-Croix, with beaches and shores which are a must-visit, preferably during the months of May and June to avoid the usual summer crowds. Beaches which stand out include the Salles-sur-Verdon beach and the picturesque Bauduen beach. The former is situated in the newest town in France, since the old Salles-sur-Verdon was totally covered over by the lake after the construction of a dam during the 70’s.
The second largest lake, although surrounded by a very different landscape to that of Sainte Croix, is the Lake of Castillon. Around the lake you can benefit from the pure air of the Alps, beaches such as Saint-André or a typical provençal village such as Saint-Julien-du-Verdon.
In addition to these two you should also take note of the Lake of Artignosc, the Lake of Esparron and the Lake of Quinson.
Things to do in Grand Canyon of Verdon
It is common to opt for canoeing or kayaking down the river, or for the more daring there is climbing, or a hot-air balloon ride, or even a ride in a glider. On the other hand there are numerous hiking routes with each one a different level of difficulty. There is the GR4 route which unites the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, or the Tour du Roc, which is located in Castellane and returns towards the Notre Dame du Roc. The area offers activities for the whole family and for all tastes!
The easiest way to get there is to take the A51 motorway from Marseilles in the direction of Aix-en-Provence and once there continue towards Sisteron until exit 18 – Gréoux-les-Bains. Or from Nice, take the motorway towards Dignes-les-Bains up to Castellane. If you love climbing mountains or simply enjoy discovering new things and fantastic natural landscapes, you must add the Grand Canyon of Verdon to your list of places to visit.