Gorges du Verdon

The Gorges du Verdon is the largest and deepest canyon in Europe, cutting through the limestone plateaus of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and the Var along the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur border. The Verdon river carves a route of approximately 25 kilometres through rock, descending into a canyon that reaches 700 metres at its deepest and narrows to just 8 metres at its most compressed — a section known as the Couloir Samson. The water is coloured an extraordinary turquoise by suspended limestone particles from the alpine snowmelt that feeds the river, particularly vivid between May and June. Two cliff-top driving circuits offer the principal viewpoints: the Route des Crêtes (D23) on the north rim departing from La Palud-sur-Verdon, and the Corniche Sublime (D71) on the south rim between Trigance and the village of Aiguines. Each circuit presents a succession of signed panoramic overlooks (belvédères), the most dramatic of which include the Point Sublime, the Falaise des Cavaliers, and the Cirque de Vaumale. Combined, both circuits take a full day of driving. Hikers following the GR4 long-distance trail can descend from the north rim to the canyon floor and follow the river through the Couloir Samson — a 6-hour minimum walk in each direction requiring advance planning and water for the full day. At the western end of the gorge, the Lac de Sainte-Croix is an artificial reservoir with calm, shallow turquoise water where swimming, pedalo hire, and paddleboarding are popular from May to September. Kayak and canoe hire operators are based at Castellane (eastern end) and at the Lac de Sainte-Croix (western end). Via ferrata routes on the canyon walls offer structured climbing without specialist equipment. The area has very limited infrastructure — mobile reception is poor on both rim roads, fuel stations are scarce, and the narrow cliff-edge roads require careful driving, especially during July and August peak season.