Gorges du Verdon Day Trip

The Gorges du Verdon are a limestone canyon in the north-east of Provence, cut by a bright turquoise river that runs for around twenty-five kilometres between sheer cliffs in places hundreds of metres high. It is among the most dramatic landscapes in France, and it is a long way from the vineyards and Roman towns around Avignon. A guided day trip from Aix-en-Provence handles the distance and the narrow, winding roads, takes you to viewpoints above the canyon, and usually adds a stop in one of the villages nearby, with time on the water of the Lac de Sainte-Croix or the river itself. It is a big day out, best for visitors who want a spectacular natural scene to balance the museums and monuments of the rest of their stay.

The route follows roads along the rim, where a series of belvederes look down to the river far below. The Route des Crêtes, a loop on the north side, gives the most dizzying views, while the Corniche Sublime on the south side crosses high bridges and tunnels. The Pont de l'Artuby, a high arch bridge over a side canyon, is one of the best-known viewpoints, and the Point Sublime looks along the narrowest part of the gorge.

Some tours include a boat or pedal-boat stop on the Lac de Sainte-Croix, where the river opens into a wide turquoise lake, or a picnic, and the details vary by tour, so read the description carefully when you choose.

Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is the village most tours visit. It clings to a cliff with a star said to hang on a chain between two rocks above the roofs, and it has been known for its faience pottery for centuries; workshops and shops sell hand-painted plates and bowls, and the old streets are good for a walk.

Some tours also visit Riez, Valensole or another village on the lavender plateau, and in summer the combined route passes fields of lavender in bloom, an additional reason to choose a tour in July. The canyon itself is spectacular at any time, with the water bright in sunshine and the cliffs changing colour through the day.

Plan for a long day. The journey from Aix takes roughly two hours each way, and the roads are narrow and bendy, so anyone who suffers from car sickness should take medication in advance and sit at the front. Summer is the busiest season, with traffic on the canyon roads and a lot of visitors at the main viewpoints, while spring and autumn are quieter and cooler, and parts of the area can be affected by weather in winter.

Bring water, a hat, sunscreen, comfortable shoes and a layer for wind at the viewpoints. There are drops with and without fences at some belvederes, so keep a close eye on children.

The Verdon is well suited to people who like outdoor activity, since kayaking, canyoning and hiking all operate in the canyon, but a guided drive is the easiest introduction for those who prefer to stay on foot and in the vehicle. If you are based in Avignon, the distance makes this a very long day, and it is better to stay in Aix or in a village near the canyon.

Combine it with the lavender fields of Valensole in July, or with the markets and food of Aix on the way back. It is not a stop for those with little time, but for a second or third visit to Provence it adds a different side of the region.