Rougon is one of those must-see places when you visit the Verdon region: on the high perched territory of this small commune, everyone is looking for one of the most beautiful viewpoints over the Gorges du Verdon, the aptly named Point Sublime.
A must-see in the Verdon region, Rougon is just a tiny Provencal village, with a population of just 120! The main reason for its success is its location overlooking the Gorges du Verdon, perched on a pass at an altitude of 950m: Rougon dominates the famous Point Sublime, one of the most spectacular panoramas of the grand canyon. But Rougon deserves more than just a quick photo opportunity. This charming village, which dates back to at least the 9th century, enjoys a peaceful atmosphere, less crowded than neighbouring La Palud-sur-Verdon, the 'capital' of the Verdon, which fills up at the height of the season. In Rougon, you can take the time to stroll around, admire the scenery of the gorges, and also catch a glimpse of a griffon vulture soaring overhead: this bird of prey with its impressive wingspan can be seen on the surrounding cliffs, and Rougon is the ideal spot to watch them!
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Rougon
- © PhotoBarmaley / ShutterstockRougon, a stage overlooking the Verdon canyon
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Le Point Sublime
- © David Evison / ShutterstockThis popular viewpoint is set below the village: impossible to miss with all the cars parked by the roadside! Here, the view of the canyon is grandiose, in the axis of the Couloir Samson, a narrow gorge with sheer walls: the photo is splendid. From Point Sublime, you'd never guess there was a village 3km further on, at the end of a winding road. With its mountain and Provencal ambience, there's no doubt about it: we're in the Alpes de Haute-Provence!
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Place de la Mairie de Rougon
- © Richard Semik / ShutterstockRougon, with just over 120 inhabitants, is very small: it's easy to get around, wandering through its pretty little streets at your own pace. The village is like an eagle's nest, planted at the foot of a rocky spur at an altitude of 950m. The old houses, the old wash-house, the Place de la Mairie, the chapel of Saint Christophe and the ruins of the medieval castle dominate the landscape, revealing a small but charming heritage.
With its small size, Rougon remains calm in all seasons: it's a great base for exploring the Verdon region, which has a small but varied range of accommodation (a municipal campsite, a B&B, an inn and a few holiday rentals).
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Auberge du Point Sublime
2-star hotel perched in Rougon with garden, free private parking, shared lounge and terrace, bar and restaurant.Vulture watching and other key activities in Rougon
In Rougon, as elsewhere in the Gorges du Verdon, people spend their time outdoors. And often with their noses in the air! It has to be said that the commune is a pioneer in the reintroduction of the vulture in the area, a species which had unfortunately disappeared from the Verdon canyon.
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Vautour fauve
- © Pascal De Munck / ShutterstockToday, vultures are particularly fond of nesting on the limestone cliffs that dominate Rougon, and of course in those that enclose the gorges themselves. A vulture-watching post is often set up in the village for amateur birdwatchers. Different species can be seen: the griffon vulture, the black vulture, the Egyptian vulture and the bearded vulture... Get your binoculars!
Watching vultures in Rougon and the Gorges du Verdon
Every Tuesday and Friday in summer, Rougon Nature organises "randos vautours" (vulture hikes), organised 4-hour outings to observe birds of prey and hike in the Gorges du Verdon.
Rougon is also one of the best places to discover the Verdon canyon: the lowest point in the commune is at 568m, right in the riverbed! Swimming is not permitted here, but you can walk down to the Verdon and cross the pretty, cobbled Tusset bridge. The Lézard trail, which can be done with the whole family from Point Sublime, is ideal for an easy, educational approach to the gorges.
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The Samson corridor and the Verdon canyon
- © Marina VN / ShutterstockTake one of the many walks in the surrounding area
The most famous hiking route in the gorges, the Blanc Martel trail, also ends (or begins, but with more difficult descents) at Point Sublime in Rougon. You can choose to hike the whole way from the Chalet de la Maline (La Palud-sur-Verdon), or venture out on a short section following the GR4 markers, via the dark tunnels of the Couloir de Samson (headlamp strongly recommended!).
The Navette Blanc Martel runs a regular seasonal service between the Chalet de la Maline and Point Sublime, the start and finish of the hike of the same name, via Palud-sur-Verdon.
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The Suech plateau
- © njaj / ShutterstockOn a different note, another lovely walk takes you out of the centre of Rougon and onto the Suech plateau, at an altitude of 1,200m: more great views of the Verdon canyon and the surrounding area, and for the lucky ones, the majestic flight of a marauding griffon vulture!