Welcome to Gorges du Verdon
For sheer, jaw-dropping drama, few sights in France can match the epic Gorges du Verdon. The ‘Grand Canyon of Europe’ slices a 25km swath through Haute-Provence’s limestone plateau all the way to the foothills of the Alps. Etched out over millions of years by the Verdon River, the gorges have formed the centrepiece of the Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon since 1997. With their sheer, plunging cliffs – in some places 700m high, twice the height of the Eiffel Tower – the gorges are a haven for birds, including a colony of reintroduced vautours fauves (griffon vultures).
Top experiences in Gorges du Verdon
Gorges du Verdon activities
Verdon Gorge and Moustiers Ste-Marie Tour from Aix-en-Provence
You’ll be picked up from central Aix-en-Provence in the morning by your guide. Traveling by air-conditioned minvan, travel 45 minutes north to the Alpes de Haute-Provence region to your first stop, just outside Manosque. The largest and liveliest town in the region, Manosque is home to the L'Occitane factory, a high-end cosmetics company famous around the world. Take a guided tour of the factory to discover the steps involved in the production of perfumes, which are made with local flowers and plants. This fragrant experience lets you trace the key steps in the history of the L'Occitane brand, and you’ll end with a chance to purchase products at preferential prices.Afterwards, continue your drive across the Valensole plateau, arriving in Moustiers Ste-Marie after about an hour. This lovely village is in a gorgeous setting, at the base of rocky cliffs along a rushing mountain stream that divides the village with a narrow canyon. The view of this mini-gorge, with small waterfalls down inside and medieval houses above, is quite beautiful. Enjoy free time to have lunch and explore Moustiers Ste-Marie on your own. Wander the narrow medieval streets and vaulted passages, visit ceramics shops – for which the village is known – and enjoy a relaxing lunch at a terrace café (own expense). Don’t miss the centerpiece of the village, Notre-Dame de Beauvoir chapel, which sits high above the village behind the ruins of the ancient city walls. Built in the 8th century and restored in the 12th century, this church has layers of history, and offers fantastic views of the village’s red-tiled roofs, the expanse of the Maire valley, the far hills and the Lake of Sainte-Croix, which you’ll visit later. Your next stop is the Verdon Gorge (Gorges du Verdon), considered to be one of the most beautiful canyons in Europe. Named for the Verdon River’s striking turquoise-green color, the gorge draws many visitors for its scenic rim drive and great hikes. Admire awe-inspiring views from the rim before descending to the end of the canyon, where the river flows into Lake of Sainte-Croix (Lac de Sainte-Croix). Enjoy free time to lounge on the beach and soak up the views of the magnificent turquoise water.This man-made lake has a feeling of endless space and light.After your time here, it’s time to hit the road back to Aix-en-Provence, about 1 hour and 45 minutes away. You will travel through the village of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon overlooking the lake.
Verdon Gorges Private Full-Day Tour from Nice
Following morning pickup from your Nice hotel by air-conditioned minivan, head out of the busy port city and into the rolling hills of the Provençal countryside. Travel first to the traditional French village of Castellane, about two hours west. Invisible from afar, this tucked-away 16th-century town emerges as the gateway to the Verdon Gorge (Gorges du Verdon), one of the most impressive river canyons in Europe. Take in views out over the rocky peaks and the Verdon River below from your vantage point on this hillside. Traveling down to the gorge, pause at Point Sublime to appreciate the breathtaking scenery to the full. Descend down to the edge of the canyon where the river runs into the Lake of Sainte-Croix. Enjoy a little free time here to relax by the aquamarine lake, stretch out on the beach and appreciate the pristine setting. Back on the road, drive to the village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, sitting beneath a rocky cliff wall and surrounded by mountains on all sides. Enjoy free time to explore Moustiers at your leisure. Pop into one of the many pottery shops — for which the village is known — and buy a few souvenirs before sitting down to lunch at one of the many terrace cafes. After your time here, hop back into your minivan for the 2.5-hour journey back to your Nice hotel, where your day trip ends.
Verdon Gorge and Castellane Private Full-Day Tour from Cannes
Hop into an air-conditioned minivan outside your Cannes hotel and head off into the Provençal countryside to begin your private tour. Your first visit is the lovely French town of Castellane, about 1.5 hours northwest of Cannes.Approaching this hidden 16th-century town, you'll soon enter the gateway to the spectacular Verdon Gorge (Gorges du Verdon). Castellane has been a popular pilgrimage site for centuries, and its history dates back to the Middle Ages. Admire views over craggy peaks and the Verdon River. Descending into the canyon, pull over at Point Sublime for a — you guessed it — sublime panoramic view over the landscape. Arrive at Lake of Sainte-Croix (Lac du Sainte-Croix), a stunning turquoise lake that feeds from the Verdon River. Pause to relax by the lake, surrounded by towering peaks, and capture the scenery on camera.Leaving this serene spectacle behind, travel to the pretty medieval town of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, set amidst rocky mountains. Spend time exploring Moustiers' medieval streets at your own pace; there are tons of ceramics and pottery shops sure to catch your attention. Enjoy a lunch of regional Provençal specialities at a terrace cafe before making the most of the views over the Maire Valley.At the end of the day, board your minivan and relax on the 2-hour drive back to your Cannes hotel.
Verdon Gorge Private Tour
Be amazed by the beauty of the Gorges du Verdon, the most spectacular canyons in Europe. Offering stunning views and magnificent scenery, this canyon - with its emerald blue water - is one of the most beautiful natural sites of Provence. June 1st to August 31st: Make your way to Sainte Croix through both the perfumed lavender fields and the wheat fields gently swaying in the breeze. The superb open landscapes of the Plateau de Valensole offer wonderful panoramas. Wild untamed beauty goes hand in hand with the land tilled and worked by the local paysans - the peasants who have cultivated this land since antiquity. Free time for lunch. September 1st to May 31st: Discover the Provençal village of Moustiers-Ste-Marie, renowned for its art and crafts: the village specialises in faïence - an earthenware pottery. While in the village, you’ll have the opportunity to visit a faïence workshop. Free time for lunch.
Provence Wine Tour From Nice: Verdon Canyon, Castellane
One common itinerary is to leave the coast for a beautiful drive through the Gorges du Loup with its 40 meter high waterfall then stop in Castellane for a short break. The village has preserved and enriched its cultural heritage. Wander through the pedestrian street with the colourful facades which are characteristic of Haute Provence villages. Your guide will then drive you along the Verdon River named after its startling turquoise-green colour up to the Verdon Canyon, a unique natural site in Europe. The 50 km long canyons stretch from Castellane to the lake of Sainte-Croix and reach 700meters in depth in places. Have the a stop at the lake or in Moustiers Sainte Marie, known all over the world for its ceramics with incomparable refinement and decors. They are created from three essential elements : water, earth and wood. The tradition of Moustiers ceramics can be found in the workshops and the galleries but also at the Faïence museum. Beautiful objects from the XVIIth century onwards are exhibited there. Re-board on your comfortable mini van and enjoy the drive through the beautiful scenery including some of the famous Provence vineyards. Last stop in a ideally located vineyard within a thirty-minute radius from the Cannes Croisette, the Gorges du Verdon and Aix-en-Provence. Château Sainte Roseline’s one thousand year-old terroir is a haven where ancient and contemporary art thrive in harmony with the art of vinification. Château Sainte Roseline covers an area of 108 hectares on which are grown eleven different grape varieties. Finish the tour with a wine-tasting before getting back to Nice.
Small-group Full-Day Lavender Tour from Avignon
From mid-June to early August, depart from Avignon with a comfortable minivan and head to Valensole.In Valensole, many stops are arranged for you to go for a walk in the beautiful lavender fields. Enjoy a pleasant moment surrounding with lavender smell and purple color. You will also visit the lovely village of Valensole.The tour will continue to the beautiful village of faience, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. Moustiers has established its houses and bustling streets in the indentation of a rock, right beside the Lac de Sainte-Croix and the Gorges du Verdon. It is famous for producing pottery (faïence) and the village still has some twenty workshops devoted to that craft today.On the way back to Avignon, there will be a short stop at the famous museum and shop of L’Occitane in Manosque.