Page 190 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Provence & The Côte d'Azur

188  PROVENCE AREA B Y AREA

r Tour of the Gorges du Verdon

The breathtaking chasm of the Gorges du Verdon is one of the
most spectacular natural phenomena in France. The Verdon
river, a tributary of the Durance, cuts into the rock up to
700 m (2,300 ft) deep. A tour of the gorges takes at least a day
and this circular route encompasses its most striking features.
At its east and west points are the historic towns of Castellane,
the natural entry point to the gorges, and Moustiers-Ste-Marie.
Parts of the tour are particularly mountainous, so drivers must
be aware of hairpin bends and narrow roads with sheer drops.
Weather conditions can also be hazardous and roads can be
icy until late spring.

5 La Palud-sur-Verdon J
Organized walking
excursions start at the village
of La Palud, the so-called
capital of the Gorges.
Hikers in one of the deep gorges

4 Moustiers-Ste-Marie
Set on craggy heights,
the town is famed for its
faïence (p190). ix i
Lac de Ste-Croix V

Ve
J J Verdon J J J J J

J

J

Flowered-façade in Moustiers 3 Aiguines Corniche Sublime
The beautifully restored
Key 17th-century château crowns
the small village, with fine views
Tour route
down to the Lac de Ste-Croix.
Other roads
Viewpoint

Tips for Drivers
Tour length: 113 km (72 miles).
Stopping-off points: La Palud-
sur-Verdon has several cafés and
Moustiers-Ste-Marie is a good
place to stop for lunch. For an
overnight stop, there are hotels
and campsites in the town of
Castellane. (See also pp250–51.)
The azure-blue waters of the enormous Lac de Ste-Croix
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p201 and pp216–17