DISCOVER THE VERDON GORGE AND ITS LAKES
Our deep blue sea is magnificent. But have you heard of the Verdon Gorge and its lakes? From our Camping Village at Fréjus, you can take your family to discover PURE nature and turquoise waters! Quite simply a dream! Escapism guaranteed!
The Verdon Gorge
Come and discover Verdon Canyon, Artuby Gorge or Baudinard Gorge, to name but a few. Crisscrossed with winding roads, they prove a favourite playground for athletes of all kinds. Trigance and Aiguines are the two hilltop villages marking the south side of the canyon. The left side, known as Corniche Sublime, is well worth a visit: it is one of the favourite roads for automobile and motorcycle clubs, and you may even spot a vulture or two.
Visit Verdon Natural Regional Park and its 7 landscapes
An open book on geology, fauna, flora and the history of mankind, the Park offers a wide variety of landscapes and environments. Home to a third of all French flora, the wealth of plant life is unique. The little bustard, the griffon vulture, the ocellated lizard (the largest in Europe) and 22 of the 32 species of bat listed in France are just an sample of the diverse animal life on offer. Together with the Durance, the 165-km Verdon River, with its 434-million-m³ storage capacity, is Provence’s reservoir, providing quality drinking water to the region’s major cities.
Land of courage, region of sharing
Verdon Natural Regional Park takes its name from the lively river that carved out the spectacular passage through the rocky masses of the Alpine foothills.
Verdon Canyon is at the heart of a Natural Regional Park, a label that recognises the site’s heritage value.
It is an exceptional mountain site in terms of landscape, geology and also biodiversity. The canyon is also rich, because it has been inhabited for so long. You can practice many sports and recreational activities there. To feel and experience Verdon, you have to get to know its inhabitants and local producers, its traditions and cultural events. Discover a different Verdon!
Some ideas for walks!
Botanical trail at Esparron-de-Verdon: Discover the variety and uses of Mediterranean plants with the discovery booklet co-published by Esparron Municipality and the Park. Tourist Office: +33 (0)4 92 77 15 97.
Lizard discovery trail at Rougon: On your walk, you can discover the magnificent Verdon Canyon and its history, people, fauna and flora. With the discovery booklet co-published by the Park and the Maison de Gorges. Find out more on +33 (0)4 92 77 32 02.
Gypsum trail at Riez and St Jurs: Discover gypsum, from its production to its many uses with the discovery booklet co-published by the Association des Amis du Vieux Riez and the Park. Riez Tourist Office: +33 (0)4 92 77 99 09.
Toine trail, a site, a history at Salles-sur-Verdon: A discovery trail for observing the plants and their uses and a historic trail in memory of the ancient, submerged village. Follow the booklet co-published by the Park and the Maison des Lacs. Find out more on +33 (0)4 94 84 22 83.
Châteauneuf-les-Moustiers discovery trail: The ruined village, devoid of its inhabitants, bears witness to its past. The discovery booklet will complement your visit. Find out more on +33 (0)4 92 77 32 02.
On the heritage trails: Fountains, wash houses, belfies, chapels oratories, bridges, terraces, etc. More than 600 constructions that form the collective heritage of Verdon, revealing the life and history of the region’s people. Some of these little monuments are marked with information boards. To complement your visit, get the “On the heritage trails” booklet published by the Park. Find out more on +33 (0)4 92 74 68 00.
Sundial trail: The Communauté de Communes du Moyen Verdon invites you to discover the region through its sundials. These “witnesses to the passing of time” conjure up the riches of the municipalities and convey the reflections of the inhabitants on their heritage and identity. Communauté de Communes du Moyen Verdon. +33 (0)4 92 83 68 99.
Heritage and cloth of Saint-André-les-Alpes: A walk to discover the 9 panels that recount the history of the village and its important cloth industry, still active at the start of the 20th century. Tourist Office +33 (0)4 92 89 02 39.
Interpretive trail of Trigance: This fantasy trail is the work of the children of Trigance school. Punctuated with modules, it provides an alternative view of the village and its inhabitants through a subtle mixture of discovery, sensitivity and poetry.
“Aiguines, between nature and heritage” discovery trail: Be guided through the village’s narrow streets and discover its history and natural and cultural heritage. Tourist Office +33 (0)4 94 70 21 64.
Discover the starry sky of Verdon: Observe the sky at 1905 m altitude with the help of a skilled astronomer from the Astronomical Observatory of Mont Chiran. Hikers will also find a warm welcome at the refuge. +33 (0)4 92 74 70 85 | +33 (0)4 92 34 23 93.
Vulture discovery excursions at Rougon: Guided by an ornithologist, these excursions allow you to discover these giants of the air, their life and their behaviours. (July – August). Information and booking: +33 (0)6 26 47 50 00.
Leisure and discovery cruise on Esparron Lake: Guided cruise on an electric pleasure boat, La Perle du Verdon. +33 (0)4 92 77 10 74.
Tales and legends of Moustiers: Family-friendly discovery of the well-known and little-known stories of the village. July and August at 10 am every Friday | +33 (0)4 92 74 67 84.
Discover the site of Le Chalvet: At over 1600 metres, Saint André les Alpes offers viewpoint indicators, a botanical trail and free flight sites. In July and August, every Wednesday at 9 am, advance booking required.
Les Salles sur Verdon, “a site – a history”: A look back into the history of the valley and above all the village, whose customs and economy were turned upside down by the construction of the Sainte Croix dam and its lake. Booking: Les Salles sur Verdon Tourist Office +33 (0)4 94 70 21 84 | verdon83@club-internet.fr.
Sirenians of Col des Lecques trail at Castellane: Unguided open-air museum walk to discover the 35-million-year-old bones conserved in situ. Geological Reserve of Haute Provence | +33 (0)4 92 83 19 23.
Guided trail of the gorges: Guided minibus tour with Provisito, to discover the gorges in a different way, without the stress of driving and with explanations. +33 (0)6 82 93 88 72. | www.provisito.fr.
