Simply Stunning Gorges du Verdon it’s Not to be Missed
For all our time spent in Provence, I’m embarrassed to admit that we had never been to les Gorges du Verdon. And it’s not far from Lourmarin, only about an hour and a half, in the hills of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. We’d heard it was worth a visit, but what an understatement. Having gone there, we can’t believe we’d never done so. If you’re in the south of France, you must go! We went there from Nice, having dropped family at the airport; we headed down the A8 autoroute back towards Marseille and turned off at Draguignan. Please click here for Caroline’s original article on their incroyable visit to les Gorges du Verdon and her photos.
Natural Park: Gorges du Verdon
Parc naturel régional du Verdon belongs to a network of 53 parks in France, including eight (8) in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. To achieve and maintain the classification of a Parc naturel régional, the territorial managers must establish and follow a charter that outlines the activities for preserving natural spaces and resources such as water. In addition, socio-economic benefits should make a territorial park attractive to visitors and balance development activities against impacts on nature and resources. Here is the Parc’s official website with more details.
The Gorges du Verdon is France’s “Grand Canyon.” In size, this gorge does not compare to the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. But then, size isn’t everything! For beauty, the Gorges du Verdon is one of France’s most beautiful natural settings.
This magnificent area is sometimes called the Grand Canyon du Verdon due to the natural chasm formed by the 165-kilometre river. Over centuries, the turquoise-green Verdon River carved a meandering path along the steep limestone cliffs. The gorge is roughly 25 kilometres (km) long, and at specific points, the cliffs reach 700m (2,300ft) in height. The river is critical for water supply to urban centres within the region and as a natural habitat for flora and fauna.
The Parc naturel régional du Verdon, officially designated as a park in 1997, includes 43 towns. However, humans have been present in the area for 30,000 years. With time, the Moorish invasions, the plague, and economic challenges have all impacted the small villages and residents. The Verdon River has continued to mark its course, creating unique rock formations like the Styx.
Verdon for Sports Enthusiasts
After the limestone Gorge, the Verdon empties into Lac de Sainte Croix, an outdoor enthusiast’s playground in this part of the Alpes de Haute Provence. This artificial lake resulted from a dam built from 1971 to 1974. The view from the village of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon unveils the lake in all its splendour. Water sports include pedal boats, stand-up paddle boarding, and lake surfing.
crt paca ©Di Duca.M
Many hiking options surround the Gorge, although some are best suited for experienced hikers. Rock climbing is an option for risk-takers. The Parc naturel régional du Verdon offers a paradise for sporty types, such as hiking, climbing (1,500 routes), kayaking, canyoning, mountain biking, and paragliding.
Lac d’ Esparron
Lac Esparron in Esparron de Verdun is a beautiful picnic spot in the Provence-Alpes-Cote-D’Azur region. Its 328 hectares, its rocky inlets, and its vertiginous cliffs attract many boaters who come to enjoy this natural leisure base. The lake overlooks the lower Gorges du Verdon, a protected natural site that enjoys the title of a regional nature park to the north. Like the Lac de Sainte Croix, this stunning lake was also artificially made in 1947, created after constructing the Gréoux-les-Bains dam. Many tourists come to enjoy surfing and bathing, in addition to boating. Take note that there is a motorboat ban on this lake.
Beautiful Moustiers Saint-Marie
Flanked by towering cliffs, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie resembles a Provencal nativity scene protected by a 150kg gold star suspended between the bluffs. In 1981, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie joined the ranks of the beaux villages, attracting visitors year-round.
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is a hamlet with roughly 700 residents, but with visitors, that number swells in the high season. Straddling two departments, the Var and the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Moustiers is considered the gateway to the Parc naturel régional du Verdon and part of the UNESCO Géoparc de Haute Provence.
Tourtour Village in the Sky
On a high plateau, Tourtour is “the village in the sky of Provence” (le village dans le ciel de Provence). Tourtour is a small village with less than 600 permanent residents. On a clear day, visitors can see from Montagne Sainte-Victoire in the west to the town of Fréjus near the Mediterranean coast in the east. The Saracen Tour de Grimaud dates from the 12th or 13th century and was restored in 2018. It is worthwhile visiting because of the fantastic panoramic views.
Tourtour is known for its freshwater springs. There are fountains around the village—some with potable water. A spring-fed lavoir (laundry basin) constructed in 1778 is on the north edge of the town. The village is unique because it has a community-owned, water-powered oil mill for local olive producers. During the olive harvest, the mill is operational. It is an exhibition site for local artists for the rest of the year.
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