Provence: The Verdon Gorge (Walking Holidays)

Self-Guided 5 Days/4 Nights Hotels Half Board Available from Apr to Oct From €480
Highlights

Puce Discover the largest canyon in Europe: the Verdon Gorges, and walk down to the Verdon River below for a well deserve “Siesta”.
Puce Follow the famous GR4, the Roman way, and the Route Napoleon.
Puce Witness the unique culture, tradition, of Provence and the most beautiful villages of France.
Puce Relax in our selected “logis de France” hotels, selected for their comfort, character, and the quality of their food

Walking Holiday in the Verdon Gorge, Provence, France. Provence Hits the Alps and the land of sun and olive trees meets the land of snow and melted cheese. The area is also known for lavender production. The harvest is in august; you will smell the little flower everywhere.

Famous for its local cuisine, this serene region of southern France is a food lover’s paradise. With it’s strong emphasis on fresh ingredients from the countryside such as olives, tomatoes, zucchini eggplant, and lemons, Provencal cuisine has earned the nickname “la cuisine du soleil” (cuisine of the sun). One bite and you’ll understand why.



View Verdon Focus in a larger map
During this walking holiday, we will follow the river Verdon and the gorgeous 25 km gorges du Verdon [also know as the Grand Canyon], the largest canyon in Europe slice through the lime stones plateau midway between Avignon and Nice. Carved by the turquoise water of the Verdon River, the gorges are 250m to 700m deep. The bottom is 8m to 90m wide, while the rims are 200m to 1500m apart!

We have selected these three walking days so you can see the very best, walking through the heart of the Gorges du Verdon. It is also possible to walk optional days, from Saint-Andre-les Alpes to walk along Lac de Verdignan and from Moustiers-Sainte-Marie to Riez where there are more bus to return to Marseilles.

At Night you will relax in lovely and traditional hotels, all rooms en-suite. These have been selected for their : comfort, locations, character, and the quality of the restaurant! As we manage your luggage, just take your day pack with you, we do the rest!
Day By Day

puce DAY 1 – Coming to Castellane.
Castellane is the gateway to the Verdon gorge and its surrounding nature will surely charm you.

Town: Shops, all facilities. Accomodation: 2* hotel, en-suite rooms. Meals: Dinner

puce DAY 2 – Castellane to Point Sublime (5h, 18km, +476m -413m).

From Castellane we take the GR4 that follows the old route used by the Roman to reach to Lyon. Our trail follows the Verdon valley with unspoiled sleepy village and their typical house, with their red tile and with washed walls. Don’t hesitate to stop en-route in one of them! Mid-afternoon we arrive in the “chalet du Point sublime” our hotel for the night. Not to miss the belvedere points sublime a great views point on the “Couloirs Samson”, narrow gorge and the Verdon River.

Town: Shops, all facilities. Accomodation: 2* hotel, en-suite rooms . Meals: Breakfast, dinner

puce DAY 3 - Point Sublime to La Palud (6h, 20km, +250m -187m).
The day so expected has come. We are now in the French Grand canyon. From our hotel, we ascent follow the “couloir Samson”, to the towering heights of the cliffs above the Verdon River [300m below]. Here the trail start to be challenging and should be taken seriously as we descent toward the river along the steep walls of the gorge. This is an unique experience and should be tackled one in your life!  Down we are welcome in luxuriant vegetation, to The perfect spot for a lunch and even a good “Sieste”! Tonight we stay in La Palud, for a well deserved beer!

Town: Shops, all facilities. Accomodation: 2* hotel, en-suite rooms. Meals: Breakfast, dinner

puce DAY 4 – La Palud to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie (4h, 12km, +380m -699m).
Descent into the great Pine tree forest to the “col de plein voir” and exceptional point of views above the turquoise lake of St Croix, the mount Lure, and even the famous Mt Ventoux! Then walk through giant limestone crags and rock towers to the village of Moustiers, take the time to admire the famous art craft potteries.

Town: Shops, all facilities. Accomodation: 2* hotel, en-suite rooms . Meals: Breakfast, dinner

puce DAY 5 - Moustiers-Sainte-Marie.

After breakfast, we bid you farewell.

Town: Shops, all facilities Meal: Breakfast

puce Optional walking days

Saint-Andre-les-Alpes to Castellane

For those who choose to get the picturesque train from Nice to Saint-Andre-les-Alpes, you may want to walk to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie along the beautiful Lac (lake) de Castillon.

Moustiers-Sainte-Marie To Riez (4h45, 18km, +137m -240m)

Today we trade our arch mountains scenery for a wide blue sky and broad views on the Plateau de valensole. Here on the fields grows cereals, truffles, and lavender. The smell is just fantastic! In Roumoule stop for a café in the central plaza, of this sleepy village called locally the little Rome as it’s surrounded by 7 hills!
How To Get There

Note: Easier with an open-jaw ticket. Coming to Nice and leaving from Marseilles. It is also possible to fly to Grenoble.

  • To France. From Dublin
    Ryanair fly to Nice, Marseilles & Grenoble. Aer-lingus fly to Marseilles and Nice.
    From London, BA fly to Marseilles & Nice, & Ryanair to Marseilles

  • To the Beginning of the Adventure: Castellane.

* Option 1: From Nice

> Train to Saint-Andre-les-Alpes (approx. 2hrs) http://www.trainprovence.com/pages/fr/179/horaires-et-tarifs-de-nice-a-digne.html and then taxi to Castellane (see options)

> Bus to Castellane (approx. 2h10)  with Autocars PAYAN leaving at 7 am.

*Option 2: From Marseille

> Bus Marseille  to Castellane via the Verdon gorges (Approx. 3h30) with Autocars SUMIAN leaving at 9 am

or

> Bus Marseille  to Digne then connection to Castellane (Approx. 3h30)

* Option 3: From Grenoble

> Bus Grenoble to Sisteron then connection to Castellane ( Aprox. 4h20) with Autocars SUMIAN leaving at 2:20 pm

 Back home

From Moustier-Sainte-Marie: from 1st July to 31st August > bus to Riez, then conection to Marseilles (Approx 3h30) Suminan bus timetables

If out of these dates, taxi to Riez then bus from Riez to Marseilles.

Alternatively, take  a taxi back to castellane or Saint Andre les Alpes.
About The Trip
Included Not Included
  • 4 nights in 2* hotels or equivalent
  • Half Board (4 dinners & 4 breakfast)
  • En-suite rooms
  • Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
  • walking guidebook
  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Transfers from/to airport
  • Lunch
  • Drinks
Hotels

Note that these hotels and guest-houses have been carefully selected for their comfort, location, friendliness and character, and are subject of availabilities. If the hotel described is not available we provide you with the same standard of comfort & Price.
Luggage Meals
Luggage transported by us from hotel to hotel. During The Day you only carry your day pack!

3 courses meals included in the price. These are usually from a set menu but feel free to ask for soemthing a la carte if you fancy it and pay whatever the difference is.
Price & Options
  • Price

€480 pps
Single room supplement: €90
Solo departure: €170 (includes single room)

  • Additional night in 2* hotel anywhere en route:

Double €60pps
Single €80pps

  • Optional Upgrade

Upgrade your trip as follows:
-3* in Castellane
-3* in La Palud with sauna, jacuzzi, swimming pool
-4* in Moustiers with a dinner from a famous French head chef: Alain Ducasse

+€250
single room supplement: +€125
for additional night in one of these hotel, contact us.

  • Optional Transfer (pp) 2 to 8 people

from Nice to Castellane: €90

from Saint Andre les Alpes to Castellane: €40

from Marseilles to Castellane: €180

from Moustiers-Sainte-Marie:
to Marseilles: €120
to Nice: €160
to Castellane: €45
to Saint Andre les Alpes: €80
to Riez: €25