Between flowing water, canyons, forests, and lakes, the Verdon concentrates in one single place everything an outdoor destination can offer. Here is an overview of the must-do activities during your stay in the Verdon Gorge.
What to do in the Gorges du Verdon?
Turquoise river, 700-metre high limestone cliffs, Provençal forests… The Verdon is the biggest outdoor destination in the south of France. From Castellane, experience unforgettable nature.
Discover activitiesDiscover more about the Verdon
700 m
maximum depth
25 km
from gorges to explore
220
days of sun per year
May → Sep
ideal season for activities
The Gorges du Verdon: a life-sized playground in Provence
Located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, between Castellane and the Sainte-Croix lake, the Verdon Gorge is considered the largest canyon in Western Europe. Over millions of years, the Verdon river has carved out a spectacular landscape: limestone cliffs plunging up to 700 metres, dazzling turquoise waters, and breathtaking panoramas.
This exceptional natural destination, classified as a Regional Natural Park, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every summer. However, the Verdon is not just a spectacle to behold from the road: it is above all an exceptional playground for all those seeking thrills or moments of authentic nature.
Since Castellane, As the true gateway to the gorges, you can reach the best spots in the region in just a few minutes: rapids for rafting, gorges for canyoning, forests for tree-top adventure, trails for hiking, and the Sainte-Croix lake for family swimming.
The best time to visit the Verdon is generally spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October). During these months, the weather is pleasant, the crowds are smaller than in the peak summer season, and the landscape is particularly beautiful with blooming flowers in spring or the warm colours of autumn. Summer (July to August) is the warmest and busiest time, ideal for swimming and water sports but can be very crowded and hot.
The ideal season runs from May to September. May, June and September offer the best compromise: pleasant weather, all activities accessible and manageable crowds. In July and August, the Verdon is at its peak – but remember to book your activities in advance, slots fill up fast!
How do I get to the Verdon Gorge?
🚗 From Nice 1 hour 45 minutes via the Route Napoléon (N85)
🚗 From Marseille : around 2 hours via the A51 motorway
🚗 From Lyon ~3h30 via the Route Napoléon
Regional bus lines connect Nice and Marseille to Castellane during the summer months.
What to do in the Verdon Gorge?
Why choose the Verdon for your outdoor activities?
The Verdon Gorge brings together everything that makes a great outdoor destination: an iconic river with turquoise waters, some of the most spectacular landscapes in Europe, varied activities for all levels, and a true sense of escape from everyday life.
Whether you're looking for the adrenaline rush of white-water rapids, exploring the gorges, a family outing, or a day of swimming at Lake Sainte-Croix, the Verdon offers a complete experience within a single region.
✔Accessible to all levels
✔Exceptional natural setting
✔Families, groups, athletes
✔Multi-activity stay from Castellane
✔220 days of sunshine per year
✔Largest canyon in Western Europe
Frequently asked questions about the Verdon
The best time for activities in the Verdon is generally spring and autumn.
The season runs from May to September. June and September are ideal: perfect weather, all activities available, and fewer crowds than in July-August. During peak season, remember to book your activities in advance – slots fill up quickly.
What to do as a family in the Gorges du Verdon?
Le Verdon is an ideal destination for families. Rafting is accessible from 7 years old, treetop adventure from 4 years old, and swimming in Lake Sainte-Croix is suitable for all ages. A multi-activity day is entirely possible from Castellane.
How to get to Castellane from Nice or Marseille?
From Nice, allow about 1 hour and 45 minutes by car via the Route Napoléon (N85). From Marseille, allow about 2 hours via the A51 motorway. Regional bus routes also connect these cities to Castellane during the summer months.
Is canyoning in the Verdon suitable for beginners?
Yes, canyoning descents in the Verdon are supervised by state-qualified instructors and are suitable for all levels. Discovery routes are available for ages 10 and up, with no prior experience required.
Can you do several activities in the same day in the Verdon?
Absolutely! From Castellane, it's possible to combine rafting in the morning with treetop adventure courses in the afternoon, or a half-day of canyoning followed by a swim at Lake Sainte-Croix. Contact us to create your bespoke itinerary.
Is rafting in the Verdon dangerous?
No, rafting is a supervised and safe activity, practised with complete equipment (wetsuit, helmet, life jacket). Professional guides accompany the group at all times. The activity is accessible to non-swimmers on most routes.
Le Verdon through the seasons: a year-round nature destination
The Verdon Gorge is not just for a few summer weeks. Each season reveals a different face of this exceptional territory.
In spring (April – May), The gorges awaken in a golden light. The river flows at its highest following the snowmelt, offering ideal conditions for rafting. The vegetation is bursting, the scents of Provence fill the air along the trails, and tourists are still scarce.
In summer (June – August), the Verdon reveals its full magic. The turquoise waters reach their ideal temperature, canyoning and treetop adventure are in full swing. Festive atmosphere in Castellane, entertainment and Provençal markets, gentle evenings under the stars.
In the late season (September), The Verdon regains its calm. The cliffs are adorned with golden and russet hues, the paths become clear, and the Provençal light is simply magical for hiking or a night in a suspended tent under a starry sky.
Le Verdon, a natural area to discover
The Verdon Regional Natural Park covers over 180,000 hectares between the Alps and the Mediterranean. It is home to remarkable flora and fauna: birds of prey, griffon vultures, rare Mediterranean flora, and oak and Scots pine forests.
The Verdon river itself is a fascinating geological phenomenon: its waters owe their turquoise colour to the presence of suspended calcite, which reflects light in a unique way depending on the time of day.
Beyond the gorges, the region also boasts authentic Provençal villages, lavender in bloom on the Valensole plateau and the lake of Sainte-Croix — one of the largest lakes in France, with its 2,200 hectares of emerald water.
✔180,000 hectares of Regional Natural Park
✔Lac de Sainte-Croix: 2,200 hectares
✔Griffon vultures & protected birds of prey
✔Provençal villages & Valensole plateau
Our three adventures
Rafting
Embark on the River Verdon with our experienced guides.
Between rapids, calm stretches, and cliff panoramas, rafting in Castellane is the perfect activity to experience the Verdon from the river. Accessible from age 7, ideal for groups and families.
Our state-certified instructors will be with you every step of the way for a safe and unforgettable experience, from May to September.
Canyoning
Jumps, abseiling and swimming in the heart of the Verdon Gorge
Jumping into pools, natural slides, abseiling and swimming through canyons: canyoning in the Verdon is a total immersion in rock and water. Our guided descents are suitable for all levels, from beginner to experienced.
A unique experience to discover the Verdon from inside the gorges, far from the tourist trails.
Rope course in trees
Aerial adventure over 3 hectares of Provençal forest
Climb, traverse trees and challenge your balance on our 3-hectare site of pine and deciduous trees. Courses for all levels, from age 4.
Rope course is the perfect complement to a stay in the Verdon: a fun and accessible activity to vary the pleasures between the river, the gorges and the forest.
Unusual accommodation in the Verdon: sleep suspended between trees
For those who want to take the Verdon experience even further, we offer unique, unusual accommodation: the tent hanging between the pines, in the heart of our forest in Castellane.
Imagine falling asleep high up in the treetops, lulled by the Provençal breeze, beneath a starry sky far from any light pollution. Wake up in the forest, surrounded by the sounds of nature and the fresh air of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence: a night surrounded by nature, just a few minutes from the Gorges du Verdon.
Whether as a couple for a romantic getaway, as a family for a memorable adventure, or with friends for an extraordinary night, suspended tents are a unique way to extend your stay in the Verdon.
Discovering suspended tents
🌟
Night under the stars
Sleep in the treetops, far from all light pollution, in an exceptional natural setting.
🌲
100% Nature & Forest
Immersed in 3 hectares of Provencal pine and deciduous trees, at the heart of the Adventure Forest site in Castellane.
Love
Ideal for couples & families
A romantic getaway or a memorable family adventure, just minutes from the Verdon Gorge.
📅
Available May to September
Enjoy the mild Provençal nights for an unforgettable experience in the Verdon.
Our offers & pathways
Consult the detailed technical sheets by clicking on the course titles.
| Activity | Route | Duration | Minimum age/height. | Price per person. | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rafting | Discovery of the Middle Verdon | 2 hours | 8 years | 50 € | May to September |
| Rafting | Half-day Middle Verdon | 3:30 | 12 years old | 65 € | May to September |
| Rafting | Moyen-Verdon Day | 5:30 | 12 years old | 80 € | May to September |
| Aqua-rando | Verdon Discovery | 3:00 AM | 6 years old | 45 € | June to September |
| Aqua-rando | Half-day Verdon | 3:00 AM | 10 years | 50 € | June to September |
| Canyoning | Jabron Discovery | 2 hours 30 minutes | 10 years | 50 € | May to September |
| Canyoning | Half-day Saint-Auban | 3:00 AM | 12 years old | 60 € | May to September |
| Canyoning | Riolan's Day | 5 AM | 16 years | 80 € | May to September |
| Airboat | Guided descent Middle Verdon | 2 hours | 16 years | 50 € | May to September |
| Canoe-raft | Guided descent Middle Verdon | 2 hours | 16 years | 50 € | May to September |
| Hydrospeed | Hydrospeed | 3 hours | 16 years | 55 € | May to September |
| Adventure course | Adventure course | 3 hours | 1.40 m | 30 € | May to September |
| Junior course | Junior course | 2 hours | 1.2 m | 15 € | May to September |
| Kiddie's course | Kiddie's course | 1 hour | 1.00 m | 10 € | May to September |
* Only on days when water is released from the Castillon dam.
** Only on days without water releases from the Castillon dam.
*** As the snow melts in the spring.
**** Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday only