The Hautes Gorges du Verdon: the grand canyon of Provence

In total, the course of the Verdon crosses the Alpes de Haute-Provence over 165km, from the Col d'Allos, its source, to the Durance, of which it is a tributary. It flows through the essentially limestone landscapes of the Pre-Alps massif, a sedimentary rock that the river has been tirelessly carving out for millions and millions of years.

The Verdon has thus created several sets of gorges. For reference, upstream of the Hautes Gorges du Verdon, a first section acts as an introduction from the Porte de Saint-Jean to the Clue de Chasteuil, not far from Castellane. Then, over the next 25km, the Gorges du Verdon canyon proper begins, as far as Lac de Sainte-Croix. Downstream of the latter are the Basses Gorges du Verdon. All along this exceptional geological formation, visitors are treated to an imposing scenery: walls whose slopes are only 200m apart in places, overhang the course of the Verdon up to 700m high. The turquoise-coloured river meanders below, its bed reduced in places to a width of 6m, or even 1m or 2m at the Styx du Verdon!

In 1905, the speleologist Édouard-Alfred Martel was the first to explore the entire gorges: this narrow, almost impassable passage, where the water disappears into a dark cavern, reminded him of the Styx, the river leading to the Underworld in Greek mythology... guaranteed effect! Just over a century after Martel's expedition, the Gorges du Verdon have become one of France's most popular tourist destinations. The site is truly breathtaking, because even after admiring the canyon from every angle in photographs, the reality is so spectacular that it far exceeds the clichés. Our only regret is that the canyon is over-visited in summer, which is hard to avoid...

A number of towns border the Gorges du Verdon. One of these, La Palud-sur-Verdon, is something of a capital, with a population of just over 350 year-round, but which explodes during the summer months. As an integral part of the Verdon Regional Nature Park, the atmosphere in La Palud is very sporting, as there's plenty to do in the canyon!

To fully appreciate the beauty of the Hautes Gorges du Verdon, there's nothing like paddling in the very heart of the gorge, right on the riverbed. Kayaking is an ideal way to explore the canyon, at least in part: only experienced kayakers are capable of covering the entire canyon! You can also try your hand at rafting, canyoning or white-water swimming: an invigorating programme.

The Hautes Gorges du Verdon is also known as one of France's top climbing areas. No fewer than 1,500 climbing routes await you on the walls overlooking the Verdon! There's a range of difficulty levels to suit all abilities, from experienced climbers who don't suffer from vertigo to those new to the sport.

⭐ Hotel & Spa des Gorges du Verdon