The Gorges du Verdon are known as the European Grand Canyon. Twenty-five kilometres of canyon, cliffs plunging to seven hundred metres deep, a river of unreal turquoise, and all around, perched villages and viewpoints that take your breath away. It is one of the most beautiful natural sites in Europe, and it lies just thirty minutes' drive from Cotignac.
Many of our guests plan a day to discover the Verdon during their stay. It is entirely feasible, provided you organise the day well so as not to spend your time in the car. This guide gives you our recommended itinerary, the must-see sites, practical tips and a few tricks to avoid the crowds in high season.
Whether you come as a couple, with family or with friends, here is everything you need to know to make your excursion to the Gorges du Verdon from Cotignac a success.
The Gorges du Verdon in a few words
The Verdon is a river that rises in the Southern Alps and flows into the Durance downstream. Along its journey, it has carved a spectacular limestone canyon over millions of years. The result is what you come to see: white cliffs, water shifting from soft green to turquoise depending on the light, and preserved biodiversity, since the entire area is classified as a Grand Site of France and a Regional Nature Park.
Lake Sainte-Croix, at the western entrance to the gorges, is an artificial lake created in 1973 by the impounding of a dam. It stretches over two thousand two hundred hectares, making it one of the largest artificial lakes in France. Its creation submerged the village of Les Salles-sur-Verdon, which was rebuilt on the new shores. It is today the main spot for swimming and water activities in the region.
The full tour of the Gorges du Verdon by car covers around one hundred kilometres on two main roads, one on each rim. You won't have time to do it all in one day. Our advice: choose one side and give it the time it deserves.
How to get to the Gorges du Verdon from Cotignac
From Cotignac, allow around thirty minutes to reach Lake Sainte-Croix via the D560 then the D71. This is the quickest entrance. To reach the iconic villages such as Moustiers-Sainte-Marie or the first viewpoints of the Route des Crêtes, allow fifty minutes to one hour depending on the route.
The road is winding and beautiful. It crosses the garrigue, runs alongside a few perched villages and regularly offers views over the Haut Var plain. Drive at a relaxed pace — you are not running late — and stop at the viewpoints along the way.
In high season (July and August), the roads can be congested between ten and four. Our advice: leave Cotignac at eight in the morning to be on site before the crowds, or conversely, set off in late afternoon to enjoy the sites in golden light and return quietly in the evening.
If you would rather not drive, or if you are travelling as a group, our concierge offers the hire of our 9-seater VITO, with or without chauffeur. It's the most comfortable option, especially for the Route des Crêtes, which demands concentration and where parking spaces are rare.
The 3 essential stops of a Verdon day
For a successful one-day excursion from Cotignac, we recommend combining three complementary sites: Lake Sainte-Croix for swimming and water activities, the Route des Crêtes for vertiginous panoramas, and the village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie for a cultural and gastronomic break. Here are the details of each stage.
Lake Sainte-Croix: swimming and water activities
The natural first stop from Cotignac. The lake is vast, the water turquoise and temperatures pleasant from June to September. Several beaches are set up: Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon beach, Bauduen beach and Les Salles-sur-Verdon beach. All have car parks, toilets, and often water-activity rental bases.
The headline activities are pedalo, paddleboard and canoe rental. Expect fifteen to twenty-five euros per hour depending on the craft. The magical moment is paddling to the entrance of the gorges, where the canyon closes in and cliffs rise above you. It's an experience you don't forget.
Practical tip: in July and August, arrive before eleven to find a parking space and choose your spot on the beach. After three in the afternoon, the crowds thin out and you can enjoy a peaceful late afternoon.
The Route des Crêtes: vertiginous panoramas
The Route des Crêtes is a twenty-three-kilometre loop running along the left bank of the gorges (north side). It features fourteen developed viewpoints, each offering a different view of the canyon. It is the most spectacular experience you can have in the Verdon.
The most impressive viewpoint is the Balcons de la Mescla, where the view plunges over five hundred metres above the confluence of the Verdon and the Artuby. The Point Sublime, more accessible, offers a perfect perspective over the line of the canyon. Allow two hours to complete the full loop, stopping at the main viewpoints.
The road is one-way in high season (June to September) to ease traffic flow. Access is free, and the road closes in winter due to risks of snow and rockfalls.
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie: one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France
Suspended beneath a golden star strung between two cliffs, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is one of the most beautiful perched villages in Provence. It is ranked among the Most Beautiful Villages of France and built its reputation on faience: the hand-painted ceramics of Moustiers are collected all over the world.
The village can be visited in two hours. Allow time to explore the lanes, the Notre-Dame-de-Beauvoir chapel perched above the village (about a twenty-minute climb on a steep path), and to push open the door of one or two faience workshops. The best are identified by the official "faïence de Moustiers" label.
For lunch, several restaurants offer refined Provençal menus. A few gastronomic tables, including one Michelin-starred establishment, allow for a more elaborate experience. Reservation is necessary in high season.
Other experiences to live in the Gorges
Beyond the classic car circuit, several more engaging experiences are worth mentioning for adventurous travellers.
The Blanc-Martel trail is an eight-hour hike that descends to the bottom of the gorges. Reserved for experienced hikers (proper equipment, torch for the tunnels, plenty of water). It is one of France's most beautiful hikes according to those who have done it, but it requires genuine preparation.
At Aiguines, just before the canyon, water sports are mainly based out of Castellane, at the eastern entrance of the gorges (about an hour and a half from Cotignac). The activity bases offer guided descents of several hours, accessible to beginners on the gentler routes.
The Brèche d'Utelle via ferrata, also near Castellane, is a vertical experience in the cliffs for those who don't suffer from vertigo. Supervision is compulsory for the uninitiated.
For enthusiasts, regulated bivouac is allowed at certain points along the Blanc-Martel trail. It requires prior authorisation from the Park and strict respect for environmental rules.
Our recommended itinerary for a perfect day from Cotignac
Here is a turnkey schedule that our guests particularly appreciate, calibrated to enjoy the Verdon without running around.
- ight o'clock: departure from Cotignac, coffee to go.
- Nine o'clock: arrival at Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon beach.
- Nine to eleven: paddleboard or canoe rental to the entrance of the gorges.
- Eleven to noon: drive to the start of the Route des Crêtes (Aiguines).
- Noon to half past one: lunch break in Aiguines or at a viewpoint.
- One to four: full Route des Crêtes with stops at the main viewpoints.
- Four to six: visit to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, faience workshop and afternoon snack.
- Six to seven: relaxed return to Cotignac, dinner on site.
This itinerary covers around two hundred kilometres round trip and lets you see the essentials without frustration. It can of course be adapted to your pace and preferences. Our concierge can prepare a gourmet picnic basket for lunch, or book you a table in a restaurant along the way.
Practical tips for visiting the Gorges du Verdon
A few concrete pieces of advice gathered through our visits and the feedback from our guests.
Pack sunscreen and a hat. The Route des Crêtes viewpoints are in full sun in the afternoon, and it's often hotter at altitude than you'd think. At least one bottle of water per person.
Wear closed shoes if you plan to explore the viewpoints or follow the small access paths. The ground is rocky and slippery soles can be dangerous near the edge.
Charge your batteries (phone and camera) the night before. You will take a huge number of photos, guaranteed.
Check your car before leaving: the winding roads of the Verdon are demanding on the engine, brakes and tyres. If in doubt, choose our 9-seater VITO with chauffeur.
Book restaurants in advance in high season. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is in very high demand between noon and two, especially in July and August.
With children
The Gorges du Verdon with children require a few adaptations. Prefer the lake (rather than the gorges) for little ones: swimming and water activities are manageable up to age ten. Avoid the most exposed viewpoints (no railings, sheer drops) for young children. Choose short walks (thirty minutes maximum) rather than long hikes. And plan an ice cream in Moustiers in mid-afternoon for that final motivational boost.
In high season or low season
High season (July and August) offers perfect conditions for swimming but very heavy visitor numbers. Roads are busy, car parks full, restaurants packed. Low season (May, June, September) is our favourite period: still pleasant temperatures, the lake already warm (twenty-two to twenty-four degrees), reasonable crowds, and exceptional light for photos. In winter, the Gorges remain accessible but some roads can be closed and swimming is of course not an option.
Où manger aux abords des Gorges du Verdon
Where to eat near the Gorges du Verdon
Around Lake Sainte-Croix, the beachside restaurants serve simple but often good cuisine (grilled fish, salads, pizzas). Expect twenty to thirty euros per person for a satisfying lunch.
At Aiguines, just before the Route des Crêtes, a few Provençal tables serve regional cuisine with views over the lake. It's a good compromise between quality and tranquillity, quieter than Moustiers.
At Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, the choice is wider and more upmarket. The gastronomic tables are remarkable but require booking well in advance in season. One Michelin-starred restaurant sits within the village. For more modest budgets, the bistros in the centre offer honest Provençal cuisine at reasonable prices.
For picnic lovers, some Route des Crêtes viewpoints are equipped with tables and bins. Our concierge can prepare a gourmet basket to take with you (charcuterie, cheeses, bread, fruit, wine), far more pleasant than hunting for a restaurant at one o'clock in a packed Moustiers.
Continuing the adventure: combining the Verdon with other Haut Var sites
If you are staying several days in Cotignac, the Verdon is just one gateway to other experiences in the Haut Var. Here are a few ideas for combinations.
Aups, the Provençal truffle capital, sits on the road between Cotignac and the Verdon. In winter (November to February), the Thursday morning truffle market is one of the most renowned in France. Idea: morning visit to Aups, truffle lunch, then on to the Verdon.
The Sillans waterfall, fifteen minutes from Cotignac, makes an excellent alternative or a complement for a half-day. The bathing pool at the foot of the waterfall is one of the Haut Var's best-kept secrets.
Tourtour, the village in the sky, forty minutes from Cotignac, offers a Verdon day route via Aups. The panorama from Tourtour is one of the broadest in Provence.
Staying in Cotignac, the ideal base to explore the Verdon
Cotignac offers a major advantage for anyone wanting to explore the Verdon: you're thirty minutes from the site without enduring the overcrowding of villages located directly on the canyon. You enjoy the Verdon during the day and return in the evening to a peaceful villa where you'll more easily find an open terrace for dinner.
Our concierge manages several villas in Cotignac and the surrounding hamlets. Many have private pools, allowing you to cool off on returning from the Verdon by your own poolside. For groups or families who would rather not drive, we offer the hire of our 9-seater VITO with chauffeur, ideal for the Route des Crêtes and the lake area.
We can also prepare gourmet picnic baskets for your excursions, and arrange on your return from the Verdon a delivery of aperitif platters on your terrace, to end the day peacefully with a local rosé.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Allow around thirty minutes to reach Lake Sainte-Croix (the western entrance to the gorges), and fifty minutes to one hour to reach iconic villages such as Moustiers-Sainte-Marie or the first viewpoints of the Route des Crêtes. The journey follows winding but magnificent roads.
A well-organised day allows you to see the three must-see sites: Lake Sainte-Croix for swimming, the Route des Crêtes for panoramas, and the village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. To go further (long hikes, kayaking, exploring both sides of the gorges), allow at least two days. Our concierge can organise themed excursions over several days.
Yes, swimming is allowed in Lake Sainte-Croix and in several designated areas (Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon, Bauduen, Les Salles-sur-Verdon). The water is clear and turquoise, pleasant from June to September. Swimming inside the gorges themselves is rarer and reserved for supervised canyoning enthusiasts.
It is very strongly recommended. Public transport is virtually non-existent in this area. If you don't have a vehicle, we offer the hire of our 9-seater VITO with or without chauffeur. It's ideal for the Route des Crêtes (winding) and for enjoying the multiple sites without constraint.
May, June and September offer the best compromise: mild temperatures, already warm lake water, lush landscapes, reasonable crowds. July and August are magnificent but very busy (reservations essential, early morning departures). In winter, the gorges are accessible but some roads may be closed.
Organise your Verdon excursion
Our local concierge knows the Verdon well and can organise a day perfectly calibrated to your wishes: itinerary, restaurants, picnic baskets, transport with our VITO and chauffeur. You enjoy, we handle the rest.
To prepare your day in Cotignac and your day at the Gorges du Verdon, contact our team. We respond within twenty-four working hours.