If you are wondering how to visit the Verdon Gorges and its surroundings , here is my tourist itinerary with its Google Map.
My itinerary allows you to visit the Gorges and the most beautiful places around the Verdon. It will take you through sites classified as major sites of France , grandiose and magnificent landscapes, some of the most beautiful villages in France and of course the splendid Gorges du Verdon.
How to go to the Gorges du Verdon?
In addition to the possibility of taking your own car or motorhome, traveling by Blablacar or by bus, here is how to get to the Gorges du Verdon:
Go to the Gorges du Verdon by train
For those traveling by train, the 2 stations closest to the Gorges du Verdon are:
- Aix-en-Provence TGV station
- Les Arcs - Draguignan SNCF train station
Go to the Gorges du Verdon by plane
For those who prefer to fly, the 3 closest airports to the Gorges du Verdon are:
- Marseille Provence airport
- Nice airport - Côte d'Azur
- Toulon - Hyères airport
Of course, once there you will need to rent a vehicle to be able to do my road trip around the Verdon Gorges.
How many days to visit the Gorges du Verdon?
If you only wish to visit the Verdon Gorges , you can do so by car in just 1 day (off-season):
- In the morning doing the ridge route ;
- In the afternoon doing the sublime Corniche road ;
- Or by making a long loop to visit the right bank and the left bank of the Verdon.
But if you wish to visit the Verdon Gorges more extensively , I recommend staying at least 3 days to be able to do some beautiful hikes ( Sentier Blanc-Martel ) and to enjoy visiting the surrounding area.
Gorges du Verdon and surroundings - How long?
My itinerary, which I detail below, is a 4-day road trip . But if you have more time, it can be customized to fit a 5 or 6-day circuit.
The itinerary can also be planned for day trips by choosing to stay in the heart of the Verdon Gorge (see my recommendations at the end of the article). In this case, it's best to plan a week to visit the Verdon Gorge and its surroundings.
What to visit in the Gorges du Verdon?
In the Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur region in the South East of France, the Verdon Gorges are located across 2 departments: the Var and the Alpes de Haute-Provence.
This region is particularly rich in landscapes, small Provençal villages, and remarkable tourist sites. Therefore, it's best to plan ahead when visiting the Verdon Gorges and its surroundings , especially if you don't have much time!
How to visit the Gorges du Verdon and its surroundings?
It all depends on how much time you have and your tourism preferences. For my part, I had 4 full days there to hike in the Verdon Gorges and a short car tour to visit the surrounding area.
So I developed a circuit to discover the impressive canyon with its spectacular gorges, the beauty of the lavender fields of Valensole, the splendid lakes and the small stone villages around the Verdon.
With this route, you can visit the Verdon Gorges and its surroundings by car, motorcycle or camper van.
Steps to visit the Verdon Gorges and its surroundings
Here are the main stages of my tourist circuit of the Verdon Gorges :
- Germany in Provence and its castle
- Valensole plateau
- Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
- Visit of the Gorges du Verdon by the Route des crêtes (left bank)
- Castellane
- Castillon lake
- Visit of the Gorges du Verdon via the sublime Corniche (right bank)
- Needles
- Lake of Sainte-Croix
- Cotignac
- Esparron of Verdon
- Esparron lake
Gorges du Verdon route map and surroundings
Discover now the detailed stages of my itinerary in and around the Verdon Gorges :
Gorges du Verdon and its surroundings - Day 1
My journey begins with landscapes typical of Provence which attract thousands of tourists from all over the world every year: the lavender fields.
Germany in Provence
To make the lavender route, the best is to start from the charming little village of Germany in Provence. You can take the opportunity to visit his castle. Otherwise simply take the direction of Valensole to enjoy a landscape of changing colors.
Valensole plateau
The village of Valensole gave its name to the superb plateau of lavender fields. It is a typical Provençal village which deserves a small visit even if it is its plateau which is visited the most.
Indeed, the Valensole plateau is a world famous place to admire the lavender fields. Between the valleys of Verdon, Bléone and Durance, this landscape so characteristic of Provence mingles with the foothills of the Alps and hilltop villages.
To enjoy it during flowering and before the lavender harvest, I recommend that you go from mid-June to mid-July.
Moustiers Sainte-Marie
At the gateway to the Verdon Gorge, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is listed among the most beautiful villages in France . The capital of earthenware pottery, this village boasts an exceptional setting and all the charm of a Provençal village. You can visit it independently or with a guide who will tell you all about its history and its legendary star… Allow 1 hour 30 minutes for the visit.
To book: patrimoine@moustiers.fr – 04.92.74.67.84.
Where to sleep in Moustiers?
Here is a charming hotel close to the center of Moustiers and suddenly quiet! It has everything: a magnificent environment, top-notch facilities and a beautiful swimming pool.
Visit the Gorges du Verdon - Day 2
This morning, we recommend you leave very early to drive the famous Route des Crêtes before it gets too crowded on the road…
Gorges du Verdon by the right bank
From Moustiers, you will need to go to the exit of the village of La Palud sur Verdon towards Rougon . Then you will turn right onto the D23 departmental road (see detailed route of the Route des Crêtes ).
Thus, you will follow the Gorges du Verdon by the right bank of the river and enjoy breathtaking panoramas!
Along the way, you can stop at Chalet de la Maline to hike the Sentier Blanc Martel (which will take you almost all day).
Otherwise, you will continue the tourist circuit in the direction of Castellane.
Castellane
Depending on whether you have hiked or not, you will arrive in Castellane either at the beginning or at the end of the afternoon.
You may have time to climb up to the Roc (15 minutes). From there, you will have a superb view over the village and the Verdon valley. To get there, you can take a small path (see map below).
Castillon lake
If you prefer swimming and lazing around, then head to Lake Castillon! With its emerald-colored waters and supervised beaches, this lake is located at the foot of the Verdon mountains, just a 15-minute drive from Castellane.
Where to sleep in Castellane?
If you are looking for original, quiet, inexpensive accommodation very close to Castellane, I recommend you to experience a yurt in the heart of nature.
Visit the Gorges du Verdon - Day 3
Today, again a very early start to join from Castellane the road of the Corniche sublime before everyone else ...
Gorges du Verdon via the left bank
This scenic route allows you to enjoy the most beautiful viewpoints of the Gorges on the left bank side of the Verdon (see Detailed route of the sublime Corniche ).
Needles
After the Corniche Sublime, you will arrive at Aiguines. It is a pretty village overlooking the lake of Sainte-Croix. From Aiguines, you will enjoy an exceptional panorama (especially from the Saint-Pierre chapel).
The Lake of Sainte-Croix
It is here, in a beautiful environment that I recommend you to end your day.
On 2 hectares, Lake Sainte-Croix, whose color revolves around turquoise blue, has translucent water that invites you to swim!
Where to sleep near Lake Sainte-Croix?
In Salles-sur-Verdon, I recommend the Auberge des Salles. This is the ideal place for me to recommend you in particular. Enjoy a nice hotel and especially the panoramic view from its terrace!
See this hotel on Lake Sainte Croix
Gorges du Verdon and its surroundings - Day 4
From Lac de Sainte-Croix, my circuit takes us today to the village of Cotignac (less than an hour's drive).
Cotignac
Awarded the "Village of Character" label and ranked 6th among the 14 favorite villages of the French , Cotignac is located at the foot of a beautiful tufa cliff. It houses a few troglodyte dwellings in caves within the cliff.
Esparron of Verdon
2nd stage of the day: The village of Esparron-de-Verdon , nestled in a beautiful natural setting.
Esparron lake
If you want to swim without too many people or go for a nice hike, then you will have to go to Saint-Julien plage in Saint-Julien-le-Montagnier (south of the lake).
From the beach car park, you can start a lovely walk around the lake – See itinerary Hiking along and on the heights of Lake Esparron.
Where to sleep near Lac d'Esparron?
For the end of my tour, I wanted to spend several days in quiet, spacious and comfortable accommodation. I found a cottage (La Pinède du Lac) in the heart of nature with a breathtaking view of Lake Esparron.
See this cottage near Lac d'Esparron
Any other ideas for visits to the South of France?
Here's my road trip from Montpellier to Perpignan
my route around the Ardèche Gorges
my tourist circuit in the Gard
a week to discover the Camargue
or the route of the most beautiful villages of the Lot and Aveyron