From its peaks, which reach nearly 2,000 metres, to the gentle hills of the Upper Var; from the vertiginous cliffs of the gorges to the vast expanses of its lakes, the Verdon Regional Nature Park is a land of contrasts united around the river of the same name.
A small region with 33,000 residents, visited by more than a million people each year, it has achieved the remarkable feat of maintaining a balance between human activities and the preservation of its extraordinary biodiversity and landscapes.
Internationally renowned, the Gorges du Verdon are subject to heavy visitor traffic. To meet the challenges of welcoming visitors, they are part of a Grand site de France project. The aim is to improve the quality of the visit while respecting the site, and to restore and protect the quality of its landscape, natural and cultural heritage.
The Verdon Regional Nature Park’s mission is to protect the Verdon’s water and ensure its equitable use, as it is a precious resource. It supplies drinking water to many towns in the region, but it also generates energy, supports nature, agriculture, and industry, while serving as a destination for tourism. That’s quite a lot!
on less than 2000 km² of land
While exceptional sites such as the Gorges du Verdon, Lac de Sainte Croix and the Plateau de Valensole make up the Park’s reputation, it is also home to a more discreet but infinitely precious treasure: exceptional biodiversity.
In its folds nest a myriad of plant and animal species, many of them rare or endemic. There are 2,200 types of plant, in some places as many as 35 different plants on 1m²! Almost all the birds of prey seen in France can be observed here, including the majestic vultures that frequent the Gorges.
A freshwater fish, the Rhône streber (apron) is an endemic species of the Rhône and Mediterranean basin. Until the 20th century, it lived mainly in the Rhône and its tributaries. Now threatened, the largest populations are found in the Ardèche and Durance basins.
To combat its extinction, the Rhône-Alpes Conservatory of Natural Areas has developed a National Action Plan (2020–2030) to protect the Rhône apron.
Discover all the tips you can apply on a daily basis to preserve the landscapes and biodiversity of the Verdon Regional Nature Park.
The Gorges du Verdon, the lavender fields of the Valensole plateau and Lac de Sainte Croix are major attractions in the Park.
In the water, in the air or on land, there’s no end of activities to keep you busy!
The Park works with local residents and economic players to promote sustainable development. Support them: choose Park-brand products!
Traces of prehistory can be found in the Quinson museum, as well as Gallo-Roman baptisteries and temples, and dry-stone buildings… The men and women of yesteryear have bequeathed this region a wealth of heritage. The Park preserves it as much as it supports those who are building today’s.
From the Gorges du Verdon to the Valensole plateau, via numerous lakes and alpine landscapes, the Park is a territory and 7 landscapes. Created in March 1997, it covers 46 communes straddling the Alpes de Haute-Provence and Var departments.
It is prohibited to light fires anywhere within the Park, to camp in the wild on the shores of the lakes and in the gorges, and to swim in the towns of Aiguines, Castellane, Rougon, and La Palud-sur-Verdon.
The “Valeurs Parc” brand distinguishes food and artisanal specialties as well as tourism services, offering you the choice of eco-responsible and ethical consumption.
Brand members commit to upholding the Park’s core values: strong local roots, heritage preservation, and a human-centric approach.
1,000 kilometres of marked trails, and the possibility of long-distance itineraries on the GR4, GR406, GR49 or GR99 to discover the remarkable landscapes of the Verdon.
Preparing well
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