15 Essential Tips for Visiting Gorges du Verdon in France
Published June 6, 2025
The Gorges du Verdon isn’t your typical French destination. It’s remote, dramatic, and a little chaotic in the best way. It’s also not always easy to plan for unless you know what to expect. Here’s what most guides leave out.
Planning and Logistics
1. You’ll Need a Car
There’s no train station nearby, and public transport is slow and limited. Rent a car from Nice, Marseille, or Toulon and expect at least two hours of winding mountain roads to get there. Coming from Paris? It’s a solid seven-hour drive.
2. The Best Months Aren’t July and August
Summer is hot and overcrowded. May and September are far better: mild weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices on accommodation. If you go in peak season, get to trailheads and lake spots early or be ready to turn around.
3. Parking Fills Up Earlier Than You Think
In July and August, trailhead and boat launch parking lots can be full by 7:30 or 8:00 a.m. There’s often no overflow and roadside parking is either unsafe or banned. Plan ahead and have a backup lot in mind, or be ready to walk.
Outdoor Activities and Adventure
4. The Martel Trail Is Not a Casual Hike
The Sentier Blanc-Martel is 15 kilometers long, takes 6 to 8 hours, and involves tunnels, rocky paths, and some steep drop-offs. It’s stunning but demanding. Bring real hiking boots and a headlamp. Do not expect an easy shortcut out once you’re in. Use the official shuttle to connect trailheads.
5. Your Phone Flashlight Won’t Cut It
The tunnels on the Martel trail are long and pitch dark. You’ll need a proper headlamp. Do not rely on your phone. It’s weak, and you will want your hands free on uneven ground.
6. Kayaking the Gorge Is Freezing and Fantastic
The water is ice-cold, even in summer, but paddling under the cliffs is worth every chill. Stay in the lower gorge unless you’re experienced with fast-moving rivers. Rent from Verdon Secret, Surf Center Montpezat, or Aquattitude.
7. Electric Boats Are the Most Popular Way In and Book Out Fast
If kayaking sounds like too much work, rent an electric boat at Pont du Galetas, where the river meets Lac de Sainte-Croix. These small boats are easy to steer, don’t require a license, and let you float gently into the narrowest, most scenic part of the gorge. They cost about 40 to 50 euros per hour. In July and August, they’re often booked solid by mid-morning. Either go early or reserve ahead.
8. River Sections Can Be Dangerous
Some parts of the Verdon River are technical and not beginner-friendly. Stick to the lake or join a guided trip if you’re unsure. Don’t improvise. Accidents happen every year.
Exploring the Gorge
9. Scenic Drives Are Stunning but Only Show Part of the Gorge
The Route des Crêtes and Corniche Sublime offer dramatic viewpoints and tight turns, but they don’t give you the full experience. Many of the best parts of the gorge can only be seen by hiking or getting on the water.
10. Most of the Gorge Is Inaccessible Without Hiking or Boating
Don’t expect to see the gorge by car alone. The most rewarding views and the scale of the canyon only come into focus when you're on foot or in a kayak. If you're not planning to hike or paddle, you'll miss a lot.
Where to Stay
11. Moustiers Is the Prettiest Village but Also the Busiest
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is postcard-perfect. If you want charm, small restaurants, and dramatic views, stay here. It gets packed during the day, but the evenings are quiet and peaceful once the day-trippers leave.
12. Castellane Is the Better Base for Outdoor Activities
If you're rafting, climbing, or want easy access to rental shops, Castellane is more practical. It’s less polished, but cheaper, closer to gear, and good for early starts.
Practical Tips
13. The Weather Changes Fast Especially in the Afternoon
Clear mornings don’t mean clear afternoons. The gorge creates its own microclimate, and storms can roll in with little warning, especially in spring and summer. Check Météo France Montagne and plan hikes for earlier in the day.
14. The Gorge Has Little to No Cell Signal
Once you're in the canyon, you’ll likely lose service. Download offline maps, let someone know your plan, and don’t assume you can just check something real quick. Use Google Maps offline or Maps.me.
15. Pack Your Own Food
There are very few restaurants once you leave the villages. Bring food for hikes, kayaking, or full-day drives. Relying on snacks from a viewpoint kiosk is a recipe for disappointment and overpaying for a dry sandwich.
Final Thoughts
The Gorges du Verdon isn’t for everyone. It requires effort, patience, and some planning. But that’s part of its appeal. It’s still wild, still unpredictable, and still refreshingly under-commercialized.
Spend three to four days if you can. Book ahead, pack properly, and go with a mindset that embraces the unexpected. Because no one tells you this until afterward, but that’s exactly why it stays with you.
