The 13 best activities to do in the Gorges du Verdon

On holiday in the southeast of France? Do you want to look? Discover the best outdoor activities in the Gorges du Verdon.

The Gorges du Verdon are among the most beautiful sites in France. The purely mineral environment consisting of gray limestone and high cliffs gives during the course of water that flows an absolutely unique turquoise blue color. In such a heavenly setting, nothing like doing outdoor activities while admiring the treasures of nature.

Whether you are sporty or not, the occupations do not miss the jewel of Provence Verte. To help you spend an unforgettable holiday, we have selected the best things to do in the Gorges du Verdon. Follow the guide!

1. Canyoning

Adrenaline lover? Opt for canyoning in the Gorges du Verdon. This is one of the outdoor activities in the Gorges du Verdon rich in strong sensations. Pass the rivers and streams by making jumps, slides or descents as a reminder. With more than 170 kilometers of rivers, the Gorges du Verdon represents the perfect playground for all canyoning enthusiasts. In addition to offering you a breathtaking landscape, the windfalls promise many cold sweats.

For the least athletic, make sure! The jewel of Provence Verte is full of canyons accessible to all (even children of over 6 years can try the adventure). Your guide accompanies you throughout the course to ensure your safety and to show you the most beautiful canyons.

Be careful, don't let yourself be subjugated by translucent waters. Often, canyon water is very fresh.

2.Trekking in the heart of the Gorges du Verdon

Among the outdoor activities in the Gorges du Verdon, why not try the trek? After all these strong sensations, nothing like a little tranquility. The Gorges du Verdon offers a wide range of marked paths that are suitable for any type of trekkers.

If you are novices but you want to become real experts in the region, we recommend that you visit "Explora Project" , the agency that offers you unforgettable escapades. With their stay Trek and bivouac in the Gorges du Verdon , you will dive into the heart of the Regional Park. Accompanied by a local guide, it is a small onion program that awaits you: discovering incredible viewpoints, unsuspected bivouac places and overnight in tents in the middle of the Grand Canyon. Unbelievable!

3. Jump to elastic

Want strong sensations? An elastic jump in the Verdon Gorge is the solution. To fully enjoy the view of the most beautiful canyon in Europe, you will jump from the bridge of Artuby. This bridge, located between Aiguines and Trigance, is renowned for its arched shape. In addition to offering you an exceptional panorama, the bridge of Artuby will provide you with an assured adrenaline rise. With its 182 meters high, it is the highest bridge in Europe to practice the elastic jump.

If you have never tried, this is one of the best outdoor activities in the Gorges du Verdon! Professionals who are passionate are present so that your great jump will take place in the best conditions. Before you start, the team will give you a briefing on all the safety rules to be followed and checks that your equipment is properly installed. As soon as everything is in order, it is the time of the great dive!

4. Rafting

Want to refresh yourself in the face of the heat of southern France? Test the rafting. This is one of the best outdoor activities to do in the Gorges du Verdon. There is no need to be a professional to practice this deciphering aquatic activity. The principle is to descend rapids on a pneumatic boat. Very stable and insubmersible, the raft allows you to cross rivers safely. Once on board, the guide gives instructions to the crews to correctly manoeuvre the raft. According to the companies, a rafting can include up to eight people .

Different routes are possible according to your level. The Gorges du Verdon offers a multitude of sites all more beautiful than others. Whether you choose an easy or difficult course, you will take your eyes full.

5. Hydrospeed

Hydrospeed is one of the most surprising outdoor activities in the Gorges du Verdon! You must follow the river swimming but be careful, it is not a simple swim! With special equipment (reinforced combination, helmet, boots, vest and palm), you follow the current while surfing on the river.

The hydrospeed is accessible to anyone who knows how to swim from 7 to 77 years old. Before you start this activity, a monitor explains the safety instructions. It guides you to bypass obstacles and gives you the right techniques to take waves. The variety of canyons in the Gorges du Verdon allows everyone to practice hydrospeed. Beginners or professionals, you can face the waves of rivers while swimming in a dream setting.

6. Canoë-Kayak

Le Verdon connects the Southern Alps to Provence. The majority of the territory can visit on foot, but another part only travels on water. To navigate the river, one of the best outdoor activities in the Gorges du Verdon is the canoe-kayak? The walks are concentrated between Castellane and Esparron-de-Verdon. In total, it is more than 170 kilometers of watercourse. Just that!

If you are not used to canoeing, we recommend you start with the Baudinard Gorges. This circuit. 2h to 3h is still little known. It will be an opportunity to admire the Gorges du Verdon in peace. On the way, you will enter hidden caves and can refresh yourself thanks to the small waterfalls present throughout the course. For the most accustomed, visit the Grand Canyon and the Pont de Galetas, which are among the most beautiful sites in the territory.

7. Via Ferrata

Among the outdoor activities in the Gorges du Verdon, via Ferrata is a good idea. This is a sport between climbing and hiking. You move on rocky walls thanks to a fully equipped itinerary. A lifeline allows you to follow the path safely. And to facilitate your progression, several metal elements are planned as cables, ladders, ramps... Thanks to these facilities, the via Ferrata adapts to both great athletes and beginners.

Via Ferrata des Gorges du Verdon is 40 minutes from Castellane. From the heights of the walls, you will enjoy an exceptional view of the Grand Canyon. Along the course, several fun activities are programmed, such as a monkey bridge or a zipline.

8. Paragliding

If you want to take height to visit the Gorges du Verdon, nothing like paragliding. From the sky, this grandiose site will subjugate you completely (if you were not already conquered from the earth or river). Paragliding is an activity accessible to all. You are sitting on a saddle to fully enjoy the landscape. Meanwhile, the monitor, who accompanies you, directs the commands to take you to the discovery of the jewel of Provence Verte.

The Gorges du Verdon stretching between the Var department and the Alpes de Haute-Provence, several sites are available for a paragliding flight:

• Aiguines: eagles and vultures accompany you in the air before landing on the beach of Galetas.
• Moustiers : fly over Lac Sainte-Croix and the valley around the village. A breathtaking show!

9. Horse riding

Passionate about horses? Riding is also one of the outdoor activities in the Gorges du Verdon. Several equestrian centres welcome you to discover one of the most beautiful sites in France. If you have never done horseback riding, internships or courses are available. What better than learning a new sport in an exceptional setting.

For those who are already followers of horse riding, 1 hour or day trips can also be organized. On the back of your horse, you visit the jewel of Provence Verte in another way.

For the smallest, equestrian centres offer pony rides. In order to help your child live this unique adventure, you stay next to him by holding the pony along. Each walk is guided by a professional·le. It will give you the necessary advice and explain good practices to make a real relationship with your horse or pony.

10. Escalade

Climbing enthusiast? The Verdon Gorges are perfect for you. The cliffs extend up to 700 metres high. This is the privileged playground for the climbers of France, and even Europe. The paths began to open towards the end of the 1960s, at the entrance of the Gorges du Verdon, in the Samson corridor . Since then, more than 1500 routes have opened for professionals and amateurs; the Ula, the Derobe, the ridge of Belvedere, etc. Today, the jewel of Provence Verte has become one of the hubs of this climbing sport.

Access to many routes is done by the top as a reminder. The adrenaline is on the appointment in the first few minutes. By taking height, you only have to admire the exceptional landscape that offers you.

11. Aquatic meal

Not much known to the general public, the water hike is an excellent opportunity to discover the Gorges du Verdon from the inside. Unlike canyoning, you can catch the rivers horizontally (not vertically). Elongated on the water, the current transports you during this fun course. Open your eyes to admire the walls around you and the erosion of the rock.

The activity is varied, since you can jump from the rocks of the Grand Canyon. According to the sites, these rocks reach between 2 to 10 meters high. Several courses are offered : for families with 7-year-old children, the classic for beginners and children over 10 years old and a more sporty journey accessible from 14 years old.

12. Stand up paddle

If you are fond of water sports, you will find more than one activity in the Verdon Gorges. However, we recommend the paddle that combines the perfect discovery of the region, sport and pleasure.

This excursion of about 3h discover the Gorges of the verdon of your paddle, in all serenity.

13. Moto

Visiting the Gorges du Verdon on a motorcycle is the time for a walk to become a real adventurer with a soul of barouder. Discovering the region on motorcycle hikes is living an unforgettable and original experience. Adventure on the roads of Verdon by renting a French design motorcycle, and in the neo-retro style.

So, try for a motorcycle ride in the heart of the Gorges du Verdon? Whether you lived this experience with friends, family, or bikers, it will remain engraved in your memories.