Verdon Gorge: the guide from Tourtour

The Verdon Gorge is a canyon about 25 km long and up to 700 m deep, between the Var and the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. From Tourtour, the mouth of the gorge at the Galetas bridge is 41 minutes away by road and La Palud-sur-Verdon, the start of the Route des Crêtes, 1 h 05. One day is enough for a driving loop: south rim via Aiguines, north rim via La Palud and the Route des Crêtes, with stops at the viewpoints and a swim in Lake Sainte-Croix.

The Verdon Gorge in figures

The Verdon rises near the Col d’Allos and flows for about 166 km before joining the Durance. Between Castellane and Lake Sainte-Croix, it has carved the canyon that bears its name.

The explorer Édouard-Alfred Martel led the exploration of the canyon in August 1905, guided by Isidore Blanc, the schoolteacher of Rougon. The trail that bears both their names keeps their memory alive.

From Tourtour: driving times

Tourtour is a good starting point: the village lies south of Lake Sainte-Croix, on the Var side. Approximate times, excluding summer traffic.

A one-day driving itinerary

Two roads follow the canyon, one on each rim. The full loop fits into a day, as long as you set off early in summer.

1. Tourtour, Aups, Les Salles-sur-Verdon: reach Lake Sainte-Croix from the south.
2. Aiguines and the south rim: the south rim road (D71, then D90 and D955) follows the canyon on the Var side to Castellane.
3. The Artuby bridge (Pont de Chaulière), 110 m long and 140 m above the Artuby, built between 1938 and 1947.
4. Castellane, the upstream gateway to the gorge.
5. The north rim along the D952, Point Sublime, then La Palud-sur-Verdon.
6. The Route des Crêtes, a loop of 14 viewpoints starting from La Palud.
7. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, then back via Lake Sainte-Croix and Les Salles.

The Route des Crêtes, the canyon panorama

Starting from La Palud-sur-Verdon, the Route des Crêtes (D23) lines up 14 viewpoints over about twenty kilometres, above cliffs with drops of more than 700 m. Part of it is one-way and the central section closes every winter. Full details: the Route des Crêtes.

The gorge on foot

The Blanc-Martel trail goes down to the bottom of the canyon for about 15 km, between the Chalet de la Maline and Point Sublime, with tunnels and ladders: a full day. Other, shorter trails start from the viewpoints. See hiking in the Verdon Gorge.

The gorge on the water

At the lower end, the Galetas bridge marks the entrance to the gorge from Lake Sainte-Croix. You can hire pedalos, canoes and electric boats there to paddle up the canyon between the cliffs. Petrol engines are banned on the lake. See kayaking in the gorge and boat hire.

Lake Sainte-Croix

The lake, created by the Sainte-Croix dam in 1973, covers about 2,200 hectares where the gorge opens out. Lifeguarded beaches in summer, lakeside villages, water sports: see Lake Sainte-Croix.

Practical tips

• Set off early in summer: the canyon roads are narrow and the viewpoint car parks fill up quickly.
• Vehicle height: the Route des Crêtes has height limits in its tunnels (3.6 m at the sides, 4.3 m in the centre).
• Winter: check that the central section of the Route des Crêtes is open before you go.
• Wildlife: vultures, chamois and foxes can be seen from the viewpoints.