📷 Photo by Paul Underwood on UnsplashGorges du Verdon
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, France
One of Europe’s deepest canyons, with turquoise water below. The Route des Crêtes is narrow, so large motorhomes should skip it.
The Gorges du Verdon form a canyon about 25 kilometres long in Haute-Provence, in southeastern France, often called the “Grand Canyon of Europe”. The walls rise up to 700 metres in places. Since 1997 the gorge has been the centrepiece of the Verdon Regional Nature Park, and a colony of reintroduced griffon vultures nests in the cliffs.
The north-rim road, the D952, leads to many viewpoints, including Point Sublime. Hikes include the Sentier de l'Imbut (4.3 kilometres to the Imbut, where the Verdon disappears into tunnels) and the 23-kilometre Sentier Martel with two tunnels (800 metres in total, a light source is needed). On the Lac de Sainte-Croix, motorboats are banned and only electric ones are allowed. In Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, the faience museum is worth a visit.
For road trippers: the roads are winding and slow, so allow plenty of time and fill up before you arrive, as petrol stations are scarce. Rafting is possible, but non-experts should only go with an organised group.
- Nearest town
- Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, France
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 43.7496, 6.3285
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, July–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Camping municipal le Grand CanyonCampsite4 km from Gorges du Verdon · 140 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Aire de services Orapi MarketMotorhome stopover9 km from Gorges du Verdon · 16 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Le MoulinCampsite11 km from Gorges du Verdon · 150 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Camping Domaine du Petit LacCampsite11 km from Gorges du Verdon · 116 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Huttopia Gorges du VerdonCampsite12 km from Gorges du Verdon · 253 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping municipal Les RochesCampsite14 km from Gorges du Verdon · 193 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
All campsites in France · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Gorges du Verdon?
Gorges du Verdon is in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, France, at GPS 43.7496, 6.3285. It is about 4 km from La Palud-sur-Verdon.
Can you camp near Gorges du Verdon?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Bio Verdon, about 3 km away; within 25 km there are 95 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Gorges du Verdon?
Gorges du Verdon is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Provence: lavender, gorges and Roman bridges.
What is there to see near Gorges du Verdon?
Places worth a stop nearby: Lac de Sainte-Croix (11 km), Plateau de Valensole (29 km), Le Thoronet Abbey (33 km) and Gorges de Daluis (53 km).
When is the best time to visit Gorges du Verdon?
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, July–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)