The Verdon Gorge was carved over millions of years by the Verdon River cutting through thick Jurassic limestone strata.
The park is home to a population of griffon vultures, which were successfully reintroduced to the gorge in 1999.
The water's distinct turquoise color is primarily caused by fluorine and micro-algae reacting with sunlight.
The Lac de Sainte-Croix, a primary feature of the park, is an artificial reservoir created by the construction of the Sainte-Croix Dam in 1973.
The village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, located within the park, is famous for its historical production of fine tin-glazed earthenware called faience.
The Route des Crêtes is a 23-kilometer circuit that provides high-altitude panoramic views of the deepest sections of the canyon.
The park contains the 'Styx du Verdon', a narrow, winding section of the gorge where the river flows through a subterranean-like passage.
The rare lavender fields in the nearby Valensole Plateau are part of the park's peripheral landscape and bloom typically in late June.
The park manages over 1,500 kilometers of marked hiking trails ranging from family-friendly paths to high-difficulty climbs.
Basses Gorges, the lower part of the river, features calmer waters and historical cave dwellings carved into the cliffs.
Verdon Natural Regional Park covers 188,000 hectares spanning the Var and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence departments. The park's centerpiece is the Verdon Gorge, a limestone canyon reaching depths of 700 meters. The turquoise color of the Verdon River results from micro-particles of limestone and algae suspended in the glacial water. The park serves as a sanctuary for over 2,000 plant species and diverse wildlife, including reintroduced griffon vultures. It encompasses 46 communes, with Moustiers-Sainte-Marie serving as a primary cultural gateway. Water-based activities like kayaking and pedal-boating are concentrated at the Lac de Sainte-Croix. The region maintains a Mediterranean climate, significantly influenced by the dramatic changes in elevation across the plateau and canyon rim. Traditional agriculture, including lavender cultivation and truffle harvesting, remains central to the local economy. The park was established in 1997 to protect the geological and ecological integrity of the gorge while managing tourism.
The Pont du Galetas bridge offers a direct, eye-level view of the Verdon River entering the mouth of the canyon.
Rent electric boats or kayaks early in the morning to avoid congestion at the narrow canyon entrance.
Pack layers as temperatures can drop significantly once you descend into the shaded canyon floor compared to the sun-drenched plateau.
Download offline maps, as cellular service is intermittent or non-existent once inside the deeper sections of the gorge.
Driving large motorhomes on the narrow, winding cliffside roads; attempting to hike the Sentier de l'Imbut without sturdy footwear.
Access to specific trails, such as the Sentier de l'Imbut or the Sentier Martel, may be closed during periods of heavy rain or high fire risk in summer.
Strictly pack out all trash; swimming is prohibited in certain protected zones of the river to prevent erosion.
