La Palud-sur-Verdon · 04

Écomusée de la Maison des Gorges du Verdon

In the château of La Palud-sur-Verdon, the town hall’s cultural department traces the formation of the Gorges du Verdon, their wildlife and flora, and the history of its inhabitants from prehistory to today.

The essentials

The Écomusée de la Maison des Gorges du Verdon occupies the château of La Palud-sur-Verdon (1 place du Château), whose north façade, dating from the 17th century, has been listed on the supplementary inventory of historic monuments since 13 September 1988.
It is run by the Maison des Gorges du Verdon, the cultural department of La Palud-sur-Verdon town hall, and is listed in the Parc naturel régional du Verdon’s network of museums and themed centres.
Its mission, according to the town hall: to inform visitors and raise their awareness of the distinctive natural features of the Gorges du Verdon area, so they can better understand and help preserve it.
The visit follows the course of the Verdon from its mountain sources to the Grand Canyon, through alpine pastures and plateaus: the geological formation of the gorges, local wildlife (golden eagle, vultures, chamois) and flora (including the rustyback fern), then human history from prehistory to today (foraging, farming, craft, tourism).
Beyond the permanent exhibition, the Maison des Gorges du Verdon hosts cultural events all year round: theatre, live performances, concerts and temporary exhibitions.
Open all year round, closed on the main public holidays (1 January, 1 November, 11 November, 25 December); opening hours follow those of the La Palud-sur-Verdon Tourist Information Office, or by arrangement subject to availability. Admission is charged at a modest rate, free for under-6s — tickets are sold at the tourist office; check prices before you come.

What you’ll see

The exhibition traces the hydro-geological formation of the Grandes Gorges du Verdon.
It presents the local wildlife — golden eagle, vultures, chamois — and flora, including endemic plants such as the rustyback fern.
It traces the history of La Palud-sur-Verdon and its inhabitants, from prehistory to today: foraging, farming, craft and then tourism.
The visit follows a narrative thread tracing the Verdon from its mountain sources down to the Grand Canyon, through alpine pastures and plateaus, and is designed to appeal to visitors of all ages.

The Château de La Palud

The château’s north façade dates from the 17th century and features a mullioned window; the building was incorporated into an 18th-century extension and today has three storeys, according to Wikipedia.
The château has been listed on the supplementary inventory of historic monuments since 13 September 1988.
It today houses the Maison des Gorges du Verdon and its ecomuseum.

A municipal cultural department, open all year round

The Maison des Gorges du Verdon is the cultural department of La Palud-sur-Verdon town hall, which runs the ecomuseum.
Tickets are sold at the tourist office (Verdon Tourisme, the CCAPV’s inter-municipal tourist office); for off-season opening hours or group visits, the town hall is the contact to reach.
The site is also listed in the Parc naturel régional du Verdon’s “museums and themed centres” network.
Beyond the permanent exhibition, the Maison des Gorges du Verdon organises events all year round: theatre, live performances, concerts, temporary exhibitions.

Getting there & visiting

The ecomuseum is in the château of La Palud-sur-Verdon, 1 place du Château, 04120 La Palud-sur-Verdon — a village on the right bank of the Grand Canyon du Verdon, the climbing capital of the Verdon and the starting point of the Route des Crêtes (D23) and the Blanc-Martel trail (chalet de la Maline). Tickets are sold at the village tourist office; opening hours follow those of the Tourist Information Office and vary by season — check before you come, especially outside the summer season.

Official museum website (opening hours & prices) ↗

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Écomusée de la Maison des Gorges du Verdon?

In the château of La Palud-sur-Verdon, 1 place du Château, 04120 La Palud-sur-Verdon — a village on the right bank of the Grand Canyon du Verdon, and the starting point of the Route des Crêtes and the Blanc-Martel trail.

What can you see there?

The geological formation of the gorges, the local wildlife and flora (golden eagle, vultures, chamois, endemic plants such as the rustyback fern), and the history of La Palud-sur-Verdon from prehistory to today.

Who runs the ecomuseum?

The Maison des Gorges du Verdon, the cultural department of La Palud-sur-Verdon town hall; the site is also listed in the Parc naturel régional du Verdon’s network of museums and themed centres.

What are the opening hours and prices?

The ecomuseum is open all year round, closed on the main public holidays (1 January, 1 November, 11 November, 25 December). Opening hours follow those of the La Palud-sur-Verdon Tourist Information Office, or by arrangement subject to availability; admission is charged at a modest rate, free for under-6s. Tickets are sold at the tourist office — it’s best to check opening hours before you come, especially outside the summer season.

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