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Aerial view of the Pont du Galetas, where the Verdon canyon opens onto the turquoise waters of Lake Sainte-Croix

Depending on your time

The Verdon in 1 day, a weekend or a week

How much time should you plan for the Verdon? It all depends on what you are after. Here is what to see depending on the length of your stay, from a single day to a full week, without spending your holiday on the road.

1 day The essentials, without rushing

In a single day, pick one atmosphere rather than skimming everything: the two rims of the canyon only meet at its ends. Here are three ideas, depending on what you enjoy.

  • The Gorges du Verdon seen from the Dent d'Aire viewpoint, on the Route des Crêtes

    The canyonViewpoints and grand panoramas

    Route des Crêtes: late March to late November

    1. 1Morning · The Point SublimeAbout ten minutes on foot from the Rougon car park, your first great look at the entrance to the canyon.
    2. 2Midday · La Palud-sur-VerdonThe village at the heart of the gorges, starting point of the Route des Crêtes.
    3. 3Afternoon · The Route des Crêtes (D23)Some fifteen viewpoints above the void, on a loop from La Palud.

    Plan B The central section of the Route des Crêtes, between the Pas de Baou viewpoint and the Chalet de la Maline, is open from late March to late November and closed in winter, from the 4th Friday of November to the 4th Friday of March, according to Verdon Tourisme. On those days, keep the Point Sublime and spend the afternoon on the south rim, along the Corniche Sublime, if it is open.

    See: The canyon
  • Pedal boats and swimmers on the turquoise waters of Lake Sainte-Croix, between two wooded shores

    The lakesTurquoise water and swimming

    Swimming: summer

    1. 1Morning · The Pont du GaletasWhere the canyon flows into the lake: a canoe or a licence-free electric boat to sail up between the first cliffs.
    2. 2Midday · The beaches of Lake Sainte-CroixAt Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon, Bauduen or Les Salles-sur-Verdon; the water is around 25 °C in summer.
    3. 3Afternoon · Paddle, pedalo or sailingThe lake lends itself to everything except combustion engines.

    Plan B Out of season, the water is cold: ask which rental outlets are still open, or enjoy the lake from the villages on its shores. Never swim in the river in the gorges (water releases from the EDF dams).

    See: The lakes
  • The village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie nestled at the foot of its cliffs

    The villagesHeritage and the art of living

    All year round

    1. 1Morning · Moustiers-Sainte-MarieThe faience village, nestled beneath its cliffs, with its star hanging between two rocks.
    2. 2Midday · A terrace in MoustiersLanes, faience workshops and viewpoints.
    3. 3Afternoon · AiguinesThe hilltop village facing Lake Sainte-Croix, crowned by its castle with glazed roof tiles.

    Plan B On a rainy day: the Faience Museum in Moustiers. Its opening hours change with the season, so check them before you go.

    See: The villages

A weekend 2 days · the canyon and the lakes

Two days are enough to taste both faces of the Verdon: one day on the north rim of the canyon, one day by the lakes.

  • Day 1 The canyon, north rim

    The limestone cliffs at the entrance to the canyon seen from the Point Sublime, with the turquoise Verdon at the bottom of the gorge
    • The Point Sublime
    • The Route des Crêtes and its viewpoints
    • For confident walkers: the Blanc-Martel trail

    Where to stay: La Palud-sur-Verdon or nearby

    Good to know Route des Crêtes: central section closed in winter, from the 4th Friday of November to the 4th Friday of March, according to Verdon Tourisme. The Blanc-Martel (about 15 km, tunnels and ladders, a torch is essential) takes the whole day; the end of the trail is diverted after a rockfall. Access and restrictions

  • Day 2 The lakes and Moustiers

    The rooftops of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie and the Romanesque bell tower of its church, seen from the heights of the village
    • The Pont du Galetas by canoe
    • A swim in Lake Sainte-Croix
    • Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

    Where to stay: Moustiers-Sainte-Marie or Lake Sainte-Croix

    Good to know In summer, book your electric boat the day before: the Galetas rental bases are in high demand. Swim in the lakes only.

Lake Sainte-Croix from the heights above Aiguines, beyond a wooded valley

Where to stay in the Verdon?

One or two bases are enough so you are not unpacking every evening: La Palud in the heart of the gorges, then Moustiers, Lake Sainte-Croix or Castellane.

See accommodation

A week 7 days · the whole Verdon

Time to experience it all, from east to west: white water in Castellane, both rims of the canyon, a great hike, the lakes, the plateau and prehistory.

  1. The Roc of Castellane and the Notre-Dame-du-Roc chapel on top of its limestone cliff, under a blue sky

    1 Day 1

    Castellane and white water

    The gateway to the gorges, at the foot of the Roc and its chapel. Rafting, canyoning and river hiking start from here, in season and on booking.

  2. Panorama from the Point Sublime over the Gorges du Verdon, in the commune of Rougon

    2 Day 2

    The north rim of the canyon

    The Point Sublime, then the Route des Crêtes from La Palud. The central section of the Route des Crêtes, between the Pas de Baou viewpoint and the Chalet de la Maline, is open from late March to late November and closed in winter, from the 4th Friday of November to the 4th Friday of March, according to Verdon Tourisme.

  3. The metal ladders of the Brèche Imbert on the Blanc-Martel trail, Gorges du Verdon, La Palud-sur-Verdon

    3 Day 3

    The Blanc-Martel trail

    The great hike along the bottom of the gorges, for confident walkers, returning by the Park shuttle (in season, on booking) or by taxi. The Verdon Regional Park advises against it in winter (frequent rockfalls). End of the trail diverted: a Rougon by-law of 14 August 2026, issued after a rockfall, closes the section between the exit of the Couloir Samson and the Point Sublime. The whole hike remains possible via the official detour (RD23A, then the GR 49). Otherwise, a quiet day in Rougon and La Palud.

  4. The meander of the Verdon at the foot of the Mescla cliff, seen from the Balcons de la Mescla

    4 Day 4

    The south rim and Aiguines

    The Corniche Sublime: the Col d’Illoire, the Balcons de la Mescla above the confluence with the Artuby, the Artuby bridge, then Aiguines facing the lake.

  5. The turquoise waters of the Verdon at the Pont du Galetas, the entrance to the Gorges du Verdon from Lake Sainte-Croix

    5 Day 5

    Lake Sainte-Croix

    The Pont du Galetas by canoe or electric boat, then the beaches of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon, Bauduen and Les Salles-sur-Verdon. Swimming in summer.

  6. The four Roman columns of Riez, remains of a temple from the late 1st century, standing in the plain at the foot of the Provençal village, on the Valensole plateau

    6 Day 6

    Moustiers and the plateau

    Moustiers and its faience, the Roman columns of Riez, the Valensole plateau. The lavender is in bloom there from mid-June to mid-July.

  7. A turquoise cove of Lake Esparron with its moored boats, at the end of the lower Verdon gorges

    7 Day 7

    The lower gorges

    Quinson and its Museum of Prehistory (closed for part of the winter: check its opening days), then the lake at Esparron-de-Verdon.

The week on the map

One village per day, from Castellane to the lower gorges.

Arriving from the west (Marseille, Aix-en-Provence)? Do the circuit the other way round, from day 7 to day 1.

Open the Verdon map

Planning your stay

Three habits that keep the itinerary on track.

  • The right season

    Swimming and water sports: summer. Hiking: spring and autumn. Winter has ideas of its own.

  • The roads

    The two rims only meet at the ends of the canyon, so allow time for the detour. Check the state of the roads before you set off.

  • Safety

    No swimming in the river in the gorges (water releases from the EDF dams). Arrive early at the viewpoints in summer.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the Verdon Gorges in one day?

Yes, as long as you choose an angle: either the canyon from above (Point Sublime and Route des Crêtes, north rim), or the lakes (Pont du Galetas and a swim at Sainte-Croix, in the warm season), or the villages (Moustiers and Aiguines). Trying to do everything in one day, when the two rims only meet at the ends, means spending your day in the car.

How many days do you need to see the Verdon properly?

Two days for the essentials (canyon and lakes), three days to cover both rims without rushing (see our 3-day itinerary), and a week to add white water, hiking, the plateau and prehistory.

What to do in the Verdon in a week?

From east to west: Castellane and white water, the north rim and the Route des Crêtes, the Blanc-Martel trail, the south rim and Aiguines, Lake Sainte-Croix, Moustiers and the Valensole plateau, then the lower gorges at Quinson and Esparron.

And in winter?

The central section of the Route des Crêtes, between the Pas de Baou viewpoint and the Chalet de la Maline, is open from late March to late November and closed in winter, from the 4th Friday of November to the 4th Friday of March, according to Verdon Tourisme. The Verdon Regional Park advises against the Blanc-Martel trail in winter, and swimming is for summer. The Verdon is still beautiful: see our guide to the Verdon off season.

Further reading

Guide reviewed on 29 October 2026. The facts come from our verified pages (Grand Canyon, lakes, hikes, When to visit); the state of the roads and trails comes from their official sources, listed below.

Check for yourself

The external sources this guide relies on, one click away. We would rather you be able to contradict us than ask you to take our word for it.

Both links responded during our last automated check, on 22 October 2026. A broken link is removed, never left in place.

Sources: Verified LiveVerdon pages (The Grand Canyon, Swimming & lakes, The Verdon in 3 days, When to visit, Blanc-Martel trail) · Route des Crêtes: Alpes-de-Haute-Provence Department, Verdon Tourisme, municipality of La Palud-sur-Verdon · Blanc-Martel trail: Verdon Regional Nature Park (navette.parcduverdon.fr)

Photos: Pont du Galetas, Lake Sainte-Croix: Olivier Cleynen (CC BY 4.0) · Dent d'Aire viewpoint, Route des Crêtes (La Palud-sur-Verdon): Einaz80 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Lake Sainte-Croix: Zairon (CC BY 4.0) · Moustiers-Sainte-Marie: User:Nepomuk (Domaine public) · Point Sublime, Rougon: Zairon (CC BY 4.0) · Moustiers-Sainte-Marie: Inga Tomane (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Heights above Aiguines, view over Lake Sainte-Croix: Zairon (CC BY 4.0) · The Roc and the Notre-Dame-du-Roc chapel, Castellane: Alainfou (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Point Sublime, Rougon: Serge Golovanow (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Brèche Imbert, Blanc-Martel trail: Chabe01 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Balcons de la Mescla, Corniche Sublime: Zairon (CC BY 4.0) · Pont du Galetas, Lake Sainte-Croix: Tobi 87 (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Roman columns of Riez: René Dinkel (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Esparron-de-Verdon: Mich-nguyen (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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