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Visiting Verdon Gorges in France – Europe’s Grand Canyon

Home / Destinations International / Visiting Verdon Gorges in France – Europe’s Grand Canyon

Yvonne Jasinski, Updated December 28, 2019

Magnificent and undiscovered Verdon Gorges in France are major attraction when visiting the region of Provence
Magnificent Verdon Gorges in France - photo by Yvonne Jasinski Credit Card SheBuysTravel
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Getting to Verdon Gorges
  • Where to stay
  • How to visit+−
    • Drive around
    • Soak up the sun on the beaches of Sainte Croix Lake
    • Visit Aiguines for a variety of sport activities
    • Try local cuisine
    • Take a hike
    • You may also like:

Verdon Gorges in France, also called Europe’s Grand Canyon, deserve to be named the best hidden attraction of Provence. Overshadowed by the French Rivera, they never become overcrowded. Despite their luck of popularity, the gorges are one of the most spectacular sites in Europe. Verdon Gorges offer unparalleled beauty and tranquility. They could be a destination on their own or combined with a visit to other attractions of Provence.

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Magnificent Gorges du Verdon are Europe's best hidden treasure.
Magnificent Verdon Gorges in France took my breath away – photo by Yvonne Jasinski Credit Card SheBuysTravel

I discovered Verdon Gorges while planning my trip to Provence. When I first came across pictures of the canyon, I could not believe that I did not know that they existed. I immediately put them on my must-see list.

The Grand Canyon of Europe stretches for more than 15 miles in central Provence. Its 2,000 foot limestone cliffs overlook strikingly blue Verdon River which empties into the pristine Lake Sainte Croix, France’s third largest lake.

Getting to Verdon Gorges

The most logical way to reach the area is by car. In theory, only a two-hour drive from Cannes  (my previous stop in France), took me an entire day. The scenery did not allow for a fast ride. You will want to stop often. The country site of Provence is one of its major attractions.

Getting to Grand Canyon of Europe will leave you wanting more.
Getting to Grand Canyon of Europe will leave you wanting more – photo by Yvonne Jasinski Credit Card SheBuysTravel

Towards the end of the drive, the roads become narrow and winding but what a feast for your eyes!

Driving from the south to Grand Canyon of Europe is half the fun.
The road to Verdon Gorges delivers unforgettable vistas – photo by Yvonne Jasinski Credit Card SheBuysTravel

Where to stay

If you want to get the full feel of the canyon, there is only one place that makes sense as your lodging option: Hotel Grand Canyon du Verdon. Located in the heart of the gorges and situated right on the cliff, this hotel offers spectacular views of the landscape and the river below.

Hotel Grand Canyon du Verdon, the only accommodation right on the cliff, offers spectacular views.
Hotel Grand Canyon du Verdon, the only accommodation situated right on the cliff, offers spectacular views – photo by Yvonne Jasinski Credit Card SheBuysTravel

Unfortunately, the hotel is in need of renovation so do not expect too much. What you are paying for is its spectacular location. You will be spending your time outside enjoying the views.

Waiting for the sunset at Hotel Grand Canyon du Verdon in France.
Waiting for the sunset at Hotel Grand Canyon du Verdon – photo by Yvonne Jasinski Credit Card SheBuysTravel

The guest rooms are a decent size and feature a balcony or terrace, a flat-screen TV, a telephone, free Wi-Fi and a private bathroom.

The hotel has its own restaurant overlooking the canyon and serving traditional French cuisine. It is perfectly located for adventure activities, such as rafting, climbing and practicing water sports.

Other types of accommodation, including holiday rentals, you will find in the nearby village of Aiguines.

How to visit

I spent two nights at Verdon Gorges. It was not nearly enough. I could easily see myself there for a week. The area is designed for a slow pace visit and it will not cost you a fortune to enjoy it.

Meadows in the lower areas of Verdon Gorges in France will speak to your senses .
Meadows in the lower areas of Verdon Gorges will speak to your senses – photo by Yvonne Jasinski Credit Card SheBuysTravel

Drive around

The area offers spectacular views any way you go. In the high elevation, you can see the mountains and the winding river below, but when you reach the lower elevation a completely new world opens up.

Driving around the Grand Canyon of Europe will reward you with beautiful scenery.
Driving around the Grand Canyon of Europe will reward you with beautiful scenery – photo by Yvonne Jasinski Credit Card SheBuysTravel

Around the village of Aiguines, the scenery becomes less dramatic and, to my delight, this is where I found the most beautiful lavender fields I could dream of.  And these fields overlooked the blue water of the Lake of Sainte Croix. Right there my dream of Provence came true.

Spectacular lavender fields at the bottom of Gorges du Verdon in southern France, will make fall in love with Provence.
Lavender fields made me fall in love with Provence – photo by Yvonne Jasinski Credit Card SheBuysTravel

In France, anywhere you go there is something that grabs your attention and makes you stop. It could be an amazing vista, a charming place to eat in the middle of nowhere, or my personal favorite – the meadows!

Alpine meadows around Grand Canyon of Europe create a paradise scenario.
Alpine meadows around Grand Canyon of Europe create a paradise scenario – photo by Yvonne Jasinski Credit Card SheBuysTravel

Soak up the sun on the beaches of Sainte Croix Lake

The lake offers a perfect environment for relaxation. Its beaches deliver tranquility and beauty. Here, you can pick a spot and make it your own.

 Beaches of Sainte Croix Lake in Provence deliver beauty and tranquility.
Beaches of Sainte Croix Lake in Provence deliver beauty and tranquility – photo by Yvonne Jasinski Credit Card SheBuysTravel

Visit Aiguines for a variety of sport activities

Aiguines offers active tourists a wide choice of activities like white kayaking, pedal boating, windsurfing, and rock climbing. Extreme sports enthusiasts will be delighted with bungee jumping from the bridge of Artuby, the highest bridge in Europe.

Bridge of Artuby over Gorges du Verdon in Provence, the highest bridge in Europe!
Bridge of Artuby over Gorges du Verdon in Provence, the highest bridge in Europe! – photo by Yvonne Jasinski Credit Card SheBuysTravel

Try local cuisine

I do not recommend Verdon Gorges as a food destination, but this is France, places to eat can show up out of nowhere. Stop and walk in, grab something to eat or drink, and enjoy the local charm. Consider eating like a local in Provence. 

Stop for a drink or a bite to eat while driving around Verdon Gorges in France.
Stop for a drink or a bite to eat while driving around Verdon Gorges – photo by Yvonne Jasinski Credit Card SheBuysTravel

Take a hike

I did not have enough time at Verdon Gorges to take an extended hike, but it must be spectacular. You will need to come prepared to find the trail to get to the bottom of the canyon. I did not see it visibly marked.

Have you visited Verdon Gorges? What is your favorite thing to do or see here? Share with us in the comments below.

Verdon Gorges in France, also called Europe's Grand Canyon, are a hidden attraction of Provence. They deliver dramatic beauty to nature minded travelers.
Verdon Gorges, explore top nature attraction of Provence – photo by Yvonne Jasinski Credit Card SheBuysTravel

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Filed Under: Destinations International

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Daniel Muller says

    July 31, 2018 at 11:56 am

    Fantastic photos. Greg Bustin, in his 2014 book Accountability, describes how afraid he was to drive over the bridge. He actually switched seats with his wife and rode in the back!

    I work for a community college, and I have been given the task of incorporating Bustin’s writing into a class. I would like to use a couple of your photos, attributed as they are here, in the class slide show to illustrate his story. The image is of a leader having a plan that unifies others as they cross the bridge together to a shared destination.

    Reply
    • Yvonne Jasinski, Credit Card SheBuysTravel says

      July 31, 2018 at 12:44 pm

      Of course you can use my photos! It would be my pleasure.

      Reply
      • Daniel Muller says

        July 31, 2018 at 1:18 pm

        Thank you so much !

        Such beautiful photos will definitely add interest to the class ! I just hope that the participants stick with the topic of Accountability and do not spend the rest of the day daydreaming about Provence !

        Thanks again.

        Reply
  2. Joe Cottone says

    March 8, 2018 at 10:58 pm

    Beautiful photos and enjoyed the reading also

    Reply
    • Yvonne Jasinski, Credit Card SheBuysTravel says

      March 8, 2018 at 11:17 pm

      Thank you! Glad you liked it.

      Reply
  3. Jim Cook says

    March 7, 2018 at 12:21 pm

    Beautiful photos and descriptions. Had never heard of this before so pleasant surprise.

    Reply
    • Yvonne Jasinski, Credit Card SheBuysTravel says

      March 7, 2018 at 2:48 pm

      Thank you Jim!

      Reply

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