Point Sublime and Couloir Samson: walk and parking

Point Sublime is a viewpoint on the north rim of the Verdon Gorge, in the municipality of Rougon, looking into the entrance to the Grand Canyon. It is reached by the D952, between Castellane and La Palud-sur-Verdon, about 1 h 10 from Tourtour. About 1.3 km further down, the Couloir Samson car park is the start of a walk of about 1 h 30 there and back, which goes down to the end of the Blanc-Martel trail through tunnels. Both car parks charge in season. It is also where the Blanc-Martel trail finishes.

Key facts

From Tourtour: 58 km, about 1 h 10.
Access: D952, between Castellane and La Palud-sur-Verdon.
Couloir Samson: about 1 h 30 there and back, a torch helps in the tunnels.
Car parks: paid in season (2025 prices: from €1.50 per half hour to €22 for 6 h at Point Sublime).
Blanc-Martel trail: finishes at the Couloir Samson or Point Sublime.

Point Sublime at a glance

Landmark	Detail
Municipality	Rougon (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence)
Road	D952, between Castellane and La Palud-sur-Verdon
From Tourtour	58 km, about 1 h 10
Couloir Samson	car park about 1.3 km below Point Sublime
Walk	Couloir Samson, about 1 h 30 there and back

The viewpoint

Point Sublime overlooks the entrance to the Grand Canyon du Verdon, where the canyon narrows between high limestone cliffs. It lies on the road linking Castellane and La Palud-sur-Verdon.

The Couloir Samson walk

About 1.3 km below Point Sublime, the Couloir Samson car park is the start of a walk of about 1 h 30 there and back. The path goes down towards the end of the Blanc-Martel trail, on the GR4, through tunnels cut into the rock. Bring a torch and good shoes.

High streaked limestone wall above the bottom of the gorge near Point Sublime — The cliffs at the entrance to the Grand Canyon. Photo: Zairon, CC BY 4.0

A variant, also about 1 h 30, leads to the Tusset bridge along the GR49.

The end of the Blanc-Martel trail

The Blanc-Martel trail, about 15 km along the bottom of the canyon from the Chalet de la Maline, finishes at the Couloir Samson car park or Point Sublime. In season, a shuttle runs from La Palud-sur-Verdon to the Chalet de la Maline in the morning and back from Rougon in the afternoon. See hiking in the Verdon Gorge.

Car parks and prices

Both car parks charge in season. The latest known prices are from 2025:

Car park	2025 paid period	2025 prices
Point Sublime	1 May to 28 September, 8 am to 9.30 pm	€1.50 per half hour, €2.50 per hour, €22 for 6 h
Couloir Samson	5 July to 8 September	about €7 a day

Out of season, the Couloir Samson car park is free. 2026 prices had not been published at the time of writing.

Planning the day

Point Sublime is on the Verdon Gorge loop: between Castellane and La Palud-sur-Verdon, just before the Route des Crêtes. The active will also find a via ferrata in the area.

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Activities around Point Sublime

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"From" prices checked on 8 November 2026 and may have changed.

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Frequently asked questions

Where is Point Sublime?

On the north rim of the Verdon Gorge, in the municipality of Rougon, beside the D952 between Castellane and La Palud-sur-Verdon. From Tourtour, allow 58 km and about 1 h 10.

How long is the Couloir Samson walk?

About 1 h 30 there and back from the Couloir Samson car park. The path goes down to the end of the Blanc-Martel trail and passes through tunnels: a torch is useful.

Do you have to pay to park at Point Sublime?

Yes, in season. In 2025 it was open from 8 am to 9.30 pm from 1 May to 28 September, from €1.50 per half hour to €22 for six hours. The Couloir Samson car park charged from 5 July to 8 September, about €7 a day. 2026 prices should be checked.

Does the Blanc-Martel trail finish at Point Sublime?

Yes. The trail starts at the Chalet de la Maline and finishes at the Couloir Samson car park or Point Sublime, about 15 km further on.