La destination du Verdon — Lever de soleil sur les montagnes

Discover the Verdon Region

Welcome to our section devoted to discovering the Verdon destination in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.

Come and explore our region through the emblematic sites that contribute to its renown. Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in nature, discover our heritage or take part in our many outdoor activities, there’s something for everyone.

Verdon Regional Nature Park

Created in 1997, the Verdon Regional Nature Park protects and promotes an area of 180,000 hectares in the heart of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and the Var. Gorges, lakes, plateaus, hilltop villages and an exceptional terroir form a setting where tourism goes hand in hand with the preservation of natural and cultural heritage. The family-friendly Plein Voir trail offers one of the park's finest panoramas over the Verdon Gorges, starting from Rougon or Trigance.

Mercantour National Park

At the eastern gateway to the Verdon, the Mercantour National Park protects exceptional Alpine biodiversity over nearly 700 km². At an altitude of 2,228 metres, Lac d'Allos is its emblematic site: Europe's largest natural high-altitude lake, reached by a 1 hr 30 min hike in the heart of the Haut-Verdon. Wolves, chamois, ibex, marmots, bearded vultures and endemic flora make this preserved area so rich.

Haute-Provence Geological Nature Reserve

Europe's largest geological nature reserve, with 2,300 km² of protected land and 59 sites of international interest, the Haute-Provence Geological Nature Reserve is an open-air museum. Ichthyosaur fossils, the ammonite slab, fossil footprints and spectacular formations tell 300 million years of history. The reserve is also home to works by the British artist Andy Goldsworthy, whose stone Sentinels — such as the one in Tartonne — interact with the landscapes of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.

Vauban Fortified Towns

The Verdon has preserved an exceptional military heritage inherited from Vauban, Louis XIV's engineer. Colmars-les-Alpes, Entrevaux and Seyne-les-Alpes bear witness to the strategic importance of this former French-Savoyard border. In Colmars-les-Alpes, Fort de Savoie overlooks the fortified town at an altitude of 1,250 metres: intact ramparts, a powder magazine, sentry walks and summer exhibitions bring three centuries of Alpine military history back to life.

The summits

The Verdon rises to over 3,000 metres, with a ring of summits accessible to hikers and mountaineers: Mont Pelat (3,051 m), Grand Coyer (2,693 m), Mourre de Chanier (1,930 m), Pic de Chamatte.

Mountain lakes

Beyond the large reservoirs of Sainte-Croix and Castillon, the Verdon is home to many natural high-altitude lakes, hidden gems reached on foot.

The must-sees

Verdon Gorges, Blanc-Martel trail, Route des Crêtes, Lac d'Allos, Annot Sandstone. The must-see sites not to be missed during your stay in the Verdon.

The Verdon in video

Dive into the Verdon in pictures with our selection of official videos. Aerial views of the Verdon Gorges, landscapes of the 39 Alpes Provence Verdon communes, locals' stories and seasonal reports: a visual foretaste to plan your stay or extend the escape. The Point Sublime, one of the canyon's most spectacular viewpoints, captures the magic of the area on its own.