🇫🇷France · Places to discover
What to see in Gorges du Verdon?
47 places selected by the community - landmarks, nature, hidden restaurants and activities.
The Verdon is not just any canyon: it's a 700-metre-deep slash through Provençal limestone, carved by a river of almost artificial green. The Route des Crêtes and the Sentier Martel structure two opposing ways of experiencing it-from above or from within-each revealing a different landscape. The village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, clinging to the cliff at the western entrance, serves as a natural base without being overwhelmed outside July and August.
The ideal window opens in May-June or September, when light is clear and car parks manageable. Allow two days minimum to do it justice: a day's hiking through the gorges, another on the water or by bike. Come by car; there's no serious alternative. The classic mistake: settling for a view from the Palud-sur-Verdon roadside viewpoint, snapping three photos and leaving without ever descending into the gorges.
Landmarks & heritage
11 places
1Wikimedia CommonsLandmark
Aiguines Village
Provençal village overlooking Lake Sainte-Croix from 823m altitude, with its 17th-century turretted castle. Former centre for boxwood turning, an artisanal tradition unique in France.
2Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Landmark
Baudinard Cave
A small prehistoric cave accessible on foot from Baudinard village, testifying to ancient human occupation of the Lower Verdon gorges. A confidential site that locals pass down from generation to generation.
3Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Landmark
Palaeochristian Baptistry of Riez
One of the four surviving palaeochristian baptistries in France, dating from the 5th century. The octagonal interior with its reused ancient columns has a stark, moving simplicity.
4Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Landmark
Hôtel de Mazan
Fine Renaissance mansion from the 16th century in the heart of old Riez, featuring a façade with pilasters characteristic of Provençal civil architecture. Testament to the town's prosperity under the Ancien Régime.
5Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Landmark
La Palud-sur-Verdon Village
Genuine living village at the heart of the gorges, base for climbers and hikers from around the world. Its medieval castle houses the Verdon Gorges Discovery Centre, excellent for contextualising the site's geology.
6Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0Landmark
Roman Columns of Riez
Four 1st-century Corinthian columns, remains of a Roman temple dedicated to Apollo, standing in an open field for two millennia. One of Provence's best-preserved ancient sites, often deserted and striking at sunset.
7Wikimedia CommonsLandmark
Perched Village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
Provençal village ranked among the most beautiful in France, suspended between two cliffs with a golden star stretched above the ravine. Capital of earthenware since the 17th century, its artisanal workshops are well worth a visit.
8Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Landmark
Rougon Village
Tiny medieval village of 100 inhabitants perched at 981m altitude, overlooking the eastern entrance to the gorges. Its narrow streets and ruined castle offer an immersion in authentic Provence.
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Landmark
Landmark
Old Riez – Grand Street
The main thoroughfare of the medieval town, lined with Renaissance houses and limestone fountains. Wandering without a map is recommended: the perpendicular alleyways reveal unexpected inner courtyards.
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Landmark
Landmark
Porte Aiguière
Mediaeval fortified gate from the 14th century, the only intact remnant of the episcopal city's ramparts. It marks the entrance to old Riez and sets the tone for the village.
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Landmark
Landmark
Riez – Roman Columns and Old Town
Little-known town 20 km from Gréoux, home to four Corinthian columns from a 1st-century Roman temple, standing in an open field. The adjacent 5th-century Merovingian baptistry is one of the oldest in France.
Museums
2 places
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Museum
Museum
Museum of Nature and Archaeology of Riez
Small municipal museum housing local archaeological collections (Gallo-Roman, medieval) and minerals from Haute-Provence. Essential for contextualising visits to the columns and baptistry.
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Museum
Museum
Verdon Gorges Prehistory Museum (Quinson)
Europe's largest prehistory museum, designed by Norman Foster and set in exceptional natural surroundings at Quinson. The collections span 400,000 years of human occupation in the Verdon Gorges.
Religious sites
4 places
14Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 2.5Religious site
Rocher de la Chapelle Saint-Victor (Castellane)
A 184m limestone rock towering above Castellane, crowned by a 14th-century chapel accessible via a steep 20-minute trail. Panoramic views over the Verdon valley and the Digne Prealps.
15Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Religious site
Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption of Riez
Former Romanesque cathedral from the 11th century, once the seat of a bishopric suppressed at the Revolution. Its austere nave and sculpted capitals testify to the town's medieval importance.
16Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Religious site
Chapel of Notre-Dame de Beauvoir (Moustiers)
Perched 262 steps above Moustiers, this 12th-century Romanesque chapel offers plunging views over the village and the Valensole plain. The Way of the Cross carved into the cliff face is as rewarding as the destination itself.
17Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Religious site
Chapel of Saint-Maxime of Riez
Small Romanesque chapel perched on a hilltop overlooking the village, accessible on foot in ten minutes. The view over the Colostre plain and the Préalpes is the hiker's reward.
Castles & fortresses
1 place
18Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Castle
Quinson Castle
Medieval village on the banks of the Verdon downstream from the gorges, with its terraced streets. Gateway to the Lower Verdon gorges, wilder and less known than the Grand Canyon.
Nature
11 places
19Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Nature
Riez Thermal Spring
A sulphurous spring known since Roman antiquity, accessible on foot from the village. A discreet, mineral location, a remnant of the thermal activity that built the reputation of this Gallo-Roman town.
20Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0Nature
Baudinard Gorges
Confidential gorges of the Lower Verdon, accessible from Baudinard-sur-Verdon, which 95% of visitors ignore. An intimate canyon with ochre walls where you can walk in the streambed during summer.
21Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Nature
Castillon Lake and Castillon Dam
The large arch dam upstream from Castellane forms a reservoir with blue waters enclosed in the Pre-Alps. Less well-known than Sainte-Croix, it offers fishing spots and wild bathing areas that are entirely deserted.
22Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Nature
Sainte-Croix Lake
An artificial lake with surreal blue-green waters formed by the EDF dam in 1974. The Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon beach on the northern shore offers a peaceful access point, away from the hustle of pedalo hire at Les Salles.
23Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Nature
Almond Trees Trail – Riez hills
A 6 km loop starting from the village, crossing abandoned ancient terraces of almond and olive trees. In spring, the wild almond blossom is spectacular.
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Nature
Nature
Chabrières Gorge
A spectacular rocky gorge carved by the Asse river, half an hour from Riez. The road through it is vertiginous; a walk in the river bed reveals striking geological strata.
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Nature
Nature
Sainte-Croix Lake – Bauduen shore
About twenty minutes from Riez, this lake with emerald waters is one of the most beautiful in France. The Bauduen shore, less crowded than the nearby Verdon Gorges, offers peaceful swimming.
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Nature
Nature
Gorges of Colostre
The gorges carved by the Colostre downstream from Riez offer a wild, little-frequented hiking trail. Turquoise water contrasts with white limestone cliffs in almost total silence.
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Nature
Nature
Lac de Sainte-Croix
Vast artificial lake of 2,200 hectares with spectacular turquoise waters, 25 km from Gréoux. The entrance to the Verdon gorges from the left bank is accessible by pedalo or kayak from the village of Salles-sur-Verdon.
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Nature
Nature
Verdon Gorge – Access via Riez
Less than 40 km from Manosque, Europe's most spectacular gorges are a natural playground for locals. The entrance via Riez and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie avoids summer traffic queues on the Castellane side.
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Nature
Nature
Martel Trail (GR4) – Couloir Samson
The most spectacular section of this famous hiking trail traversing the gorges at the canyon floor. Between tunnels carved into rock and turquoise shingle beaches, it is an extraordinary experience reserved for prepared walkers.
Viewpoints
9 places
30Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Viewpoint
Point Sublime Viewpoint
The emblematic vantage point overlooking the entrance to the gorges from the Rougon side, offering a 180° view over the Grand Canyon du Verdon. Arrive early in the morning to avoid crowds and see raking light across the cliffs.
31Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Viewpoint
Mourre de Chanier Viewpoint
The highest point of the limestone massif dominating Riez (1930 m), accessible by hiking from the valley. On clear days, the panorama encompasses the Southern Alps, the Verdon and the Valensole plateau.
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Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Valensole Plateau – Panorama from the D953
The Valensole plateau begins literally at Riez's doorstep. In July, lavender fields stretch to the horizon with the Luberon as backdrop – an authentic image of Provence, without the tour buses.
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Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Verdon Gorges - Sublime Point
Vertiginous viewpoint over the Grand Canyon of Verdon, one of France's finest with limestone walls plunging 700 metres. Accessible by car from Gréoux in 40 minutes, the sunrise view is unforgettable.
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Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Verdon Gorges – La Palud Viewpoint
Located 45 km from Digne, this viewpoint offers the most vertiginous view of Europe's deepest gorges. Digne residents systematically bring their visiting friends here.
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Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Trescaire Viewpoint
Plunging view over a tight meander of the Verdon from the Crêtes Road (D23), one of the least-signposted viewpoints and therefore most peaceful. Pubescent oak vegetation perfectly frames the canyon.
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Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Galetas Viewpoint – Gorge Outlet
From this viewpoint above Salles-sur-Verdon, you see the Verdon emerge from the gorges and flow into Sainte-Croix lake. The late afternoon light on the turquoise waters is utterly surreal.
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Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Escalès Viewpoint
Overlooking the canyon's highest cliffs (300m sheer drop), this viewpoint on the left bank reveals a different and more intimate perspective than the Sublime Point. Frequented by climbers who study the routes.
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Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Mescla Viewpoint
Vertiginous vantage point over the confluence of the Verdon and Artuby rivers, 250 metres above the turquoise waters. One of the most wild and least frequented panoramas on the right bank.
Activities
6 places
39Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0Activity
Bungee jumping – Artuby Bridge
Europe's highest bungee jump from the Artuby Bridge (182m), operated by Latitude Challenge. The bridge itself is a feat of 1946 engineering spanning the Artuby gorges – vertiginous even without jumping.
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Activity
Activity
Lavender Route – Riez–Valensole section
Signposted cycle route crossing the Valensole plateau through lavender fields. The Riez–Valensole section (15 km) is flat on road or mountain bike, offering breathtaking views in July.
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Activity
Activity
Lavande Hardy Distillery
A family distillery still in operation on the outskirts of Riez, one of the last on the plateau to distil using a direct-fire alembic. Visits from July to August during harvest, with live demonstrations.
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Activity
Activity
Via Ferrata of Verdon Gorges (Castellane)
Via ferrata arranged on cliffs overlooking Castellane, accessible to beginners with a guide. Dramatic views over the old town and the Verdon below, with the Chapel of Saint-Victor rock as a backdrop.
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Activity
Activity
Climbing – Escalès sector
The Escalès cliffs constitute one of Europe's largest multi-pitch climbing sites, with routes of 150 to 300m in exceptional limestone. Climbers from around the world come for routes like 'Pichenibule' or 'Luna Bong'.
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Activity
Activity
Kayaking in the Gorges – Pont du Galetas Departure
The most spectacular way to paddle into the gorges from Sainte-Croix Lake by kayak or paddleboard. The walls rise progressively to 300m, the water is incredibly turquoise and the first few kilometres are accessible to all.
More to discover
3 places
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Place
Place
Angelvin family lavender fields
Organic family farm on the plateau, a few kilometres from Riez. Free access to the fields in July for photography, with sachets and essential oil sold directly from the producer.
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Place
Place
Moss fountain of Riez Town Hall Square
The old moss-covered fountain at the centre of Riez is the village's unofficial symbol. Residents gather here in the shade of century-old plane trees during summer evenings.
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Place
Place
Village de Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
Village ranked among the most beautiful in France, clinging to a cliff at the mouth of the Verdon gorges, famous for its artisanal pottery workshops. The golden star suspended between the two cliffs by a chain is one of Provence's most charming mysteries.
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