*Gorges du Verdon canoe – the most spectacular canoe in France is part 9 of South of France itinerary 12 days in Provence and the French Riviera
Is Gorge du Verdon canoe worth visiting?
If you like the nature I highly recommend t to include Gorges du Verdon in your South of France itinerary.
Gorges du Verdon canoe is the most beautiful and spectacular in France and the largest in Europe. It is located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in southeastern France. The gorge is about 25 km long and up to 700 m deep. The river canyon is formed by the Verdon River, which is named after its turquoise-green color. At the end of the canyon, the river flows into Lake Croix du Verdon.
How Gorge du Verdon canoe was formed?
The entire area was under the sea during the Triassic era (about 250 million years ago). Millions of years of compressed seafloor, seashells and corals built up and were compressed to form limestone rock. The canyon was formed during the Quaternary era as a result of crustal movement during the growth of the Alps from the erosion of Jurassic limestone deposits near the Verdon River.
How to get to the Gorges du Verdon canoe?
Activities in the Gorges du Verdon canoe
The Grand canyon offers a variety of activities and I highly recommend to spend a full day at Verdon gorge. Walking routes, hiking trails of varying difficulty start from here. Riding horses is another option to discover the canyon.
The gorge offers conditions for adrenaline seekers and rock climbing enthusiasts.
As water activities you can rent canoe, kayak or paddle boat down the turquoise waters of the Verdon river.
Recommendation
If you’re pressed for time, stop at one of the many viewing platforms along the gorge and enjoy the view.
What to visit in the Gorges du Verdon canoe area?
Gorges du Verdon is attractive in itself but if you’d like to spend more time in the area you can visit:
- Lake Croix du Verdon
- The village of Saint Croix du Verdon
- Moustier-Sainte-Marie
- Gourdon
- Grass