The Gorges du Verdon
Located in south-east France, in the heart of Provence, the magnificent Gorges du Verdon will blow you away. Not far from the emblematic Côte d’Azur, the Gorges du Verdon are popular with tourists. It’s the ideal place to spend a sunny day.
The History of the Gorges du Verdon
The Gorges du Verdon have such a fascinating history. When the region was underwater for 250 million years, coral and shells accumulated and were compressed into limestone rock. As the plates moved, the seabed rose and limestone peaks were formed. When the Ice Age arrived, the glaciers mixed with the limestone and created the spectacular cliffs. The place takes its name from the magnificent turquoise water that flows through the gorge: “Verdon” means “green-don”. The Gorges du Verdon are right in the center of Provence, and are a day trip from the Côte d’Azur. However, although you can get there and back in a day, it’s advisable to stay in the area to enjoy the scenery. The nearest town to the lake entrance is Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. To hire a boat, simply go to the bridge. Visit the Gorges du Verdon in summer.
Focus on the Verdon River
The Verdon is the river that rises in the south-western Alps and flows for 166 km before joining the Durance near Vinon-sur-Verdon. You’ll be mesmerized by the emerald-green waters of the Verdon! This unique color is not due to magic or your imagination. The waters are emerald green thanks to fluoride and a certain type of microalgae present in the river. Not all the beauty of the Verdon region is natural; man has also helped to enhance the landscape. There are five artificial lakes built on the river, the most famous of which is Lac de Sainte-Croix. This was created when the valley was flooded following the construction of the Sainte-Croix dam. Construction began in 1971 and was completed in 1975. As well as being one of the largest artificial lakes in France (around 10 km long and 3 km wide), it is also one of the most recent. It’s been there for just over 40 years now. What’s more, being a freshwater reservoir for the whole of Provence and securing electricity for the region, the lake has also become a tourist attraction. There are numerous sandy beaches on the lake’s turquoise waters. It’s a popular spot for water sports enthusiasts. The lake’s beautiful turquoise color is due to clay deposits.
What to do in the Gorges du Verdon?
The Gorges du Verdon canyon is easily accessible by car. You can go hiking, which will take a whole day, as you’ll have to cover around 100 km. There are two options: you can either take the south bank anticlockwise first, or clockwise starting from the north bank. You can start this journey wherever it suits you, depending on your starting point. If you start in Aiguines, you should stop in this small village to enjoy a 360° panorama of the Lac de Sainte-Croix. Don’t miss it! Head left from Aiguines along the D71 road to Pont de l’Artuby. On the way, stop at the Col d’Illoire for a fine view of the Verdon from 967 m above sea level, then continue through the Fayet tunnel to the bridge over the Artuby river. The bridge is 182 m high and is the highest place in Europe from which you can practice bungee jumping. Follow the road for even better views at the Balcons de la Mescla, where the Artuby river flows into the Verdon. After the Balcons de la Mescla, you can either continue on the D71 to Comps-sur-Artuby, then take the D21 and D102 to Castellane, or turn right on the D71 to the D90 towards Trigance, then onto the D955 and D952 to Castellane. If you choose the second option, you’ll travel twice on each section of the D952 on the way back to Moustiers.