Gorges du Verdon Travel Guide: France’s Grand Canyon
The Verdon is a limestone canyon in Provence with a river at the bottom the colour of pool water. The turquoise is real — it comes from glacial minerals suspended in the flow — and it is at its most absurd in the morning before the wind picks up. You can drive the rim in a day, but the canyon is better from inside it: a kayak on the lake, a via ferrata bolted to the wall, or a trail that drops you to the riverbed. These guides cover both versions of the trip.
Start here
- How to Explore France’s Grand Canyon
- A 2-Day Itinerary: Villages, Viewpoints and Water
- When to Go and How to Beat the Heat
Where to stay
- Moustiers-Sainte-Marie: The Prettiest Village on the Gorge
- Castellane: The Best Base for Exploring the Canyon
- Camping: Sites With the Best Canyon Views
On the water
Hiking, climbing and flying
- The Best Hiking Trails for Every Fitness Level
- Via Ferrata: Is It as Scary as It Looks?
- Paragliding: Booking Your First Flight
- Route des Crêtes: The Most Stunning Viewpoints