With its ancient limestone sculpted by erosion, the Basses Gorges du Verdon area around Quinson is carved with countless cavities, chasms and several beautiful caves, known as "baume" in the region. These caves were very early refuges for the first humans to populate Provence: the Baume Bonne cave, the most spectacular, seems to have been occupied regularly for 400,000 years!
At first glance, Quinson is a tiny Provençal village, set in the comfort of an alluvial plain that slopes down from the Valensole plateau and borders the course of the Verdon. Between the Lac de Sainte-Croix and the Lac d'Esparron, we are in the Lower Gorges of the Verdon, less spectacular than the grand canyon upstream, but in the opinion of some, just as endearing. In Quinson, as everywhere else along the Gorges du Verdon, there's a lot of interest in outdoor activities: kayak hire, electric boat rides, hiking along the trails or freshwater swimming are the kind of pastimes that easily fill the day. But Quinson also stands out for its archaeological treasures, which date back to the dawn of time: the Musée de la Préhistoire des Gorges du Verdon remains the village's must-visit attraction, tracing the human presence in the region back more than 1 million years!
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Gorges du Verdon at Quinson
- © Marina VN / ShutterstockQuinson, the prehistory of Provence
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The Gorges du Verdon Prehistory Museum
- © Christian v. Ditfurth / ShutterstockA number of excavation sites have been added to the precious Baume Bonne cave, where archaeologists have found many clues to this prehistoric past. In Quinson, the Musée de la Préhistoire des Gorges du Verdon takes you on a journey back in time. The permanent exhibition retraces the history of mankind in Provence over more than a million years, based on archaeological digs carried out in the Verdon. It's one of Europe's leading museums on this theme, with a well-designed exhibition and explanatory booklets for younger visitors. It is housed in a modern building a stone's throw from the centre of Quinson, designed by the architect Norman Foster (Millau Viaduct).
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Caves hidden in the walls of the Basses Gorges du Verdon
- © boivin nicolas / ShutterstockVery interesting and rather well designed, we also discover reproductions of scenes of daily life in prehistoric times, as well as a vast collection of artefacts. Mammoths, woolly rhinoceroses and sabre-toothed tigers bring life-size prehistoric fauna to life. As a bonus, a prehistoric village has been reconstructed around 500 metres from the museum, with regular events organised for the public. And to complete the picture, guided tours of the Baume Bonne cave, where it all began, are available by prior arrangement!
Visit the Gorges du Verdon Prehistory Museum
Practical info
It is advisable to book online in high season (July-August). Please note: booking required for activities in the prehistoric village and the Baume Bonne cave on 04 92 74 09 59.
📍 Location: Route de Montmeyan - 04500 Quinson
⏰ Opening times: April-May-June and September, 10am-7pm, July-August 10am-8pm, February-March and October-December 10am-6pm.
👛 Admission:
- full: €8
- reduced: €6
- free for children under 6
Online ticket sales and information on the Musée de la préhistoire website
Quinson, a Provencal village on the banks of the Verdon
Quinson, with its 350 year-round inhabitants, is a small village typical of the Haute-Provence region. Everything is there to immerse you in the atmosphere: the fountains that refresh the atmosphere, the narrow streets and old stone houses, the medieval enclosure and its ancient ramparts, a few chapels and a bell tower, and to wrap it all up, a pronounced Provencal accent.
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Quinson
- © Greens and Blues / ShutterstockAs always on the banks of the Verdon, there's plenty to do in the way of freshwater boating: there are several water sports centres in the area, offering kayak, electric boat, paddle and pedalo hire.
From Quinson, you can explore the Basses Gorges du Verdon, split into two parts by a dam near the village. On one side, up the river, you enter the Gorges de Baudinard, as far as Lac de Sainte-Croix. On the other, you enter a beautiful wild section of the gorges, heading towards Lac d'Esparron.
Practical info
Water sports centres around Quinson
In Quinson itself or in the surrounding villages. Booking recommended in July and August.
- Loisirs Aventure Kayak in Quinson
- Esparron-de-Verdon sailing club
- Artignosc water sports centre
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Basses Gorges du Verdon
- © boivin nicolas / ShutterstockThe lower part of the gorges is not as well known as the Hautes Gorges du Verdon (the grand canyon), but it also boasts some superb natural scenery, and has the advantage of being less busy: around Quinson, holiday homes, self-catering cottages, campsites and even a few hotels mean you can take your time exploring the Lower Gorges du Verdon.
![Le Relais Notre Dame](https://ims.ev.mu/large_299937840_b7553d28f0/large_299937840_b7553d28f0.jpg)
Le Relais Notre Dame
3* hotel located at the entrance to the village of Quinson with an outdoor swimming pool and a restaurant with terraceFor hikers, there are a number of routes starting from Quinson around the Verdon and its lakes. For a panoramic view of the Basses Gorges, the "vieux Quinson" walk climbs above the village, while you can follow the old Verdon canal along the water's edge, looping back to the Sainte-Maxime chapel. A little further on, the tour of Lac d'Esparron is now classified as a GR: don't forget your walking shoes!
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Hiking on the old Verdon canal
- © boivin nicolas / Shutterstock