Verdon Natural Regional Park

Verdon Natural Regional Park

The Verdon Gorge is a river canyon found in southeastern France in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. It has a length of about 25 km and a depth of up to 700 meters. It was shaped by the Verdon River, which takes its name from its turquoise green color, one of the most distinctive features of the site. Between the towns of Castellane and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, the river has cut a gorge through the limestone mass to a depth of 700 meters. The Verdon flows into the man-made lake of Sainte-Croix at the end of the gorge. The gorge is a favorite with tourists who come to drive around the rim, rent kayaks to float down the river, or hike. Some of the sports practiced in the area include hiking, canoeing, paragliding, rafting, climbing and canyoning. Many climbers are attracted to the limestone walls, which are several hundred meters high. With 1,500 routes ranging from 20 meters to over 400 meters, it is considered an excellent destination for multi-pitch climbing. The Verdon and its Gorge are also a popular place to go for fishing, especially for fly fishing. The area includes the Verdon Natural Regional Park, which was created in 1997. It protects 180,000 hectares along the river from Saint-André-les-Alpes to Vinon-sur-Verdon. The main actions of the Verdon Regional Natural Park are aimed at the protection and the revitalization of the territory: a plan for the development of the waters of the Verdon, the survey and the restoration of the heritage and the replanting of the olive groves.