Entertainmnet

KNOW HERE: Unique facts about Gorges du Verdon River in Southeastern France

The Gorges du Verdon, or Grand Canyon du Verdon, is a canyon river on the border of the Var and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence departments in the south of France. It is located between Castellane and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, known for faience, a type of pottery characterized by glaze decoration. It is the second largest canyon in Europe after the Tara Gorge in Montenegro, carved out by the river Verdon over 25 km.

The gorge du Verdon is located in the Verdon Regional Natural Park, 180,000 hectares in size. The canyon ends in the Sainte -Croix-du-Verdon reservoir, the Lac de Sainte-Croix. The construction of this lake started in 1973; in 1975, it was filled. The lake is 14 km long and 2 km wide. The village of Les Salles-sur-Verdon disappeared with the construction of this lake and was rebuilt on the eastern bank. Lake Sainte-Croix is the gateway to the Gorges du Verdon, the second-largest gorge in Europe and is a significant tourist attraction.

The rock walls of the Gorges du Verdon are up to 700 m high and attract many tourists.
There are car routes on both sides with viewpoints over the gorge. North of the Verdon River is the Route des Crêtes; south of the Verdon is the Corniche Sublime.

It is a popular area for mountaineers and nature lovers. There are over 100 kilometres of hiking trails, including the famous Martelpad. This ten-kilometre trail from the Chalet de la Maline to the Samson Passage is named after the French speleologist Édouard-Alfred Martel.

In 1905 he was the first to make the trip across the bottom of the gorge. The gorge owes the nickname Grand Canyon du Verdon to him. He quotes from him: “The gorge of the Verdon is the most American of all French gorges. I maintain that after having seen the Grand Canyon.”

Gabriel Peters

Leave a Comment

Recent Posts

PSG to Offload 11 Players After Club World Cup Final Defeat

PSG's 3-0 Club World Cup defeat to Chelsea has triggered a massive squad shake-up, with… Read More

16 hours ago

French Mural of Weeping Liberty Sparks Global Debate on US Immigration

Amsterdam-based artist Judith de Leeuw’s towering mural in Roubaix portrays the Statue of Liberty in… Read More

17 hours ago

French Prosecutors Seek Trial for Fiat Over Diesel Emissions Fraud Allegations

Fiat faces potential criminal trial in France for allegedly selling diesel vehicles exceeding nitrogen oxide… Read More

2 days ago

Paris l’Été Festival Brings Performing Arts to Iconic Outdoor City Venues

From the Hôtel des Invalides to city parks, the Paris l’Été festival animates iconic landmarks… Read More

3 days ago

France Proposes Cutting Two Public Holidays to Tackle Soaring Debt Crisis

Prime Minister François Bayrou’s controversial 2026 budget proposal aims to slash public spending, freeze pensions,… Read More

3 days ago

France Celebrates Bastille Day With Military Parade, Fireworks and Global Guests

France celebrated Bastille Day with a grand military parade, fireworks, and a special tribute to… Read More

4 days ago