Discover the Verdon: 1 park, 7 landscapes
Straddling the departments of Alpes de Haute-Provence and Var, it extends over 45 villages. This Natural Park is renowned for its Gorges, the deepest in Europe (up to 700m deep). It receives thus over a million visitors a year!
– The Valensole Plateau
World-famous for its lavandin cultivation (a hybrid between fine lavender and spike lavender), the area comprises around twenty villages (including Gréoux les Bains). Valensole is its ‘capital’. Its economy is based mainly on agriculture and tourism.
As well as lavandin, there are almond trees, truffle oaks, olive trees and apple trees (in the south). Wheat growing has also expanded considerably in recent decades.
There are several walking, cycling, quad-biking and horse-riding routes.
– The Basses Gorges
Less imposing than the Grand Canyon, but no less interesting, these gorges have been inhabited since prehistoric times. There is still plenty of evidence of this period, including caves in the village of Quinson (home to Europe’s largest museum devoted to prehistory).
The Bas Verdon region boasts a number of lakes: Esparron, Saint Laurent, Montpezat, Quinson, etc. The 2 main villages in this area are Esparron-de-Verdon and Quinson, from where you can enjoy a variety of hiking and water sports activities.
In Esparron, you can also enjoy a guided tour of the lake aboard ‘La Perle du Verdon’.
Bordered by scrubland of holm and kermes oaks, its waters link the Esparron de Verdon lake to the Sainte Croix lake over a distance of around 9km.
For amateur anglers, its waters are home to almost all the species of fish found in the fresh waters of southern France (fario trout, pike, zander, perch, bleak and roach).
This makes it a recognised fishing spot (provided you respect the rules…).
More peaceful than the Grand Canyon, they are also ideal for “calm” water sports such as paddleboats, canoes, pedalos and electric boats.
These can be done from the beach of St Julien (to the west of Lac d’Esparron, accessible from Gréoux les Bains), or further east at the village of Esparron.
Finally, from Quinson, a hiking trail accessible to all also takes you along the Basses Gorges (allow around 5 hours).
– Les hills of Haut Var
Relatively untouched by tourism, these hills alternate between wooded landscapes and cultivated clearings (olive groves, vineyards, truffle oaks…). There are still a few windmills (at Régusse) and watermills (at Vinon sur Verdon), formerly used to make flour.
At Sillans, a hike will take you to another curiosity: a series of waterfalls (although swimming is prohibited).
– Lake Ste Croix and the surroundings
11 km long and 5 km wide, this lake is the 3rd largest in France. It was created by a dam built in 1974.
It has become a center for summer tourism due to the many water-based activities on offer (including sailing). Most of the facilities are located in villages with direct access to the lake (Bauduen, Les Salles sur Verdon and Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon).
The lake is also used to bail out Canadairs during forest fires in the region.
You can also drive around the lake (although the route sometimes diverges from it).
This can be an opportunity to discover other nearby villages:
Aiguines
Clinging to the hillside, this village offers a breathtaking view of the lake, the Valensole plateau and the foothills of the Alps. Aiguines is the starting point for hikes to Les Salles sur Verdon and the summit of Grand Margès, and also offers rock-climbing and paragliding.
Aups
Further south, this village – one of the Var’s Cités de Caractère – will delight lovers of old stone and the Provencal hinterland.
Bauduen
As well as its typically Provençal appearance (fountains, wash-house and other picturesque features), this village has a beach that is very (too?!) popular with bathers and water sports enthusiasts.
Les Salles sur Verdon
This is another great vantage point from which to admire the lake and the foothills of the Alps. Below the lake, this village offers particularly well-developed banks with small beaches shaded by holm oaks and water sports activities. There’s even a municipal slipway for launching your own boat.
Moustiers Ste Marie
Classified as one of the “most beautiful villages in France”, its production of high-quality earthenware, recognised the world over, adds to its prestige. Having disappeared for 2 centuries, this tradition was reborn in 1927 when a passionate man decided to revive this craft. However, beware of certain inexpensive products that are not ‘Made in Moustiers’…
Another feature for which Moustiers is famous is its star, stretched between 2 mountains above the village. According to legend, it is the symbol of a vow made by a knight at the time of the Crusades.
The village is particularly popular with tourists, so be careful when you visit (especially in summer, avoid market days…).
Ste Croix du Verdon
Still a place with magnificent views of the lake, the hills of the Haut Var and the foothills of the Alps. The banks also boast large, well-equipped beaches and water sports activities (including a sailing school).
Montpezat
Comprising two small villages just a few kilometres apart, Montagnac-Montpezat lies to the west of Lac de Sainte-Croix and at the southern end of the Valensole plateau. Less touristy than the Valensole area, but just as well supplied with lavender fields, you’ll be able to enjoy them in complete tranquillity.
– The Gorges du Verdon
To the east of Lake Sainte-Croix lies the Galetas bridge, which marks the start of the 21km-long Gorges du Verdon canyon.
There are 2 routes to discover them by car. In both cases, allow 1/2 day (including photo breaks!). Either way, you can admire the Gorges, which are 250m wide and up to 700m deep, from a number of viewpoints.
The most impressive stretch is on the left bank, to the south, aptly nicknamed the ‘Corniche Sublime’. To the west, it runs from Aiguines along the D71 to the “Balcons de la Mescla” (around 25km).
On the right bank, take the ‘Route du Nord’ from Moustiers Ste Marie along the D952 to La Palud-sur-Verdon (approx. 20km).
You can continue along the loop of the D23 (also known as the ‘Route des Crêtes’, for a further 20km).
Continuing on the D952 to the village of Rougon, you’ll enjoy an exceptional panorama.
Hikers can choose from a number of routes, the best known of which are the Sentier Blanc-Martel, Cadières de Brandis and Sentier des Siréniens.
If you’re looking for more thrills, you can also try your hand at :
– rock climbing, with over 900 routes accessible
– paragliding, flying among vultures and golden eagles
– white water sports (canyoning, rafting, canoeing)
– The lakes and mountains of Verdon
The north-east of the park offers a glimpse of the Pre-Alps, with the Montdenier (1750 m), Chiran (1905 m) and Mourre de Chanier (1930 m) ranges. There are also 2 reservoirs, Castillon and Chaudanne.
– The Artuby
Located at the eastern end of the Gorges du Verdon into which it flows, this river stretches 53km from the Alpes Maritimes (through an 18km canyon) to the Chaulière bridge, where bungee jumping is practised.
The Artuby also refers to an area made up of valleys divided by rocky reliefs that are often high. It is dominated by forests, which are the main source of livelihood, and by sheep farming. From the summer pastures to the valley bottoms, transhumance is the rhythm of the seasons.
More information about the Natural Regional Park of Verdon (english version) :
– Parc du Verdon
– Verdon Tourisme
– https://www.tourisme-alpes-haute-provence.com/plein-les-yeux/
– http://www.provence-tourisme.fr/tourisme-en-provence/verdon/
– https://www.lacs-gorges-verdon.fr/