How to Visit the Gorges du Vernon

Considered by travellers and locals alike as one of the best things to do in Nice, the Parc Naturel du Verdon is the name given to the protected area where Europe's largest canyon is located. It lies just north of the French Riviera, so the drive takes just a few hours to complete.

The mountain range is world-famous for its breathtaking landscapes of green vegetation and limestone mountains, picturesque villages and turquoise waters that will make you think you are in the middle of the Caribbean. This characteristic and impressive colour comes mainly from glacial minerals.

Located in the Natural Park of the Verdon Region, visiting the Gorges from Nice is considered one of the best excursions in Provence.

This is one of the most sought-after experiences for tourists visiting the French Riviera, which is why you will find numerous local companies in Nice offering day tours to enjoy the Gorges du Verdon.

In addition to saving planning time, this alternative seems ideal because of the many facilities it offers: the presence of an expert guide able to explain to travellers interesting aspects about the area of France you are visiting; private transport that almost always includes pick-up from your hotel in Nice and, finally, a structured plan focused on getting to know the highlights of the area.

What I will see on these excursions.

While it's true that a day trip doesn't allow you to appreciate all the wonders of the Gorges du Verdon, you'll find that local companies in Nice have gone to great lengths to organise a tour itinerary that includes the highlights of the area.

It's a great alternative if you're spending, for example, 3 days in Nice and want to use one of these days to explore Provence.

To make it clearer for you which are the most common stops included, I've put together a brief list of them. However, depending on the company you choose to hire, certain aspects may be modified.

• Moustiers-Sainte-Marie Considered the most picturesque village in France since 1981, on arrival you will find churches and chapels with limestone walls and pastel-coloured tiles. If you want to get a taste of the history of the place and its locals, this is a stop not to be missed.
• Castellane Located in the Alpes-de-Haute, the village is home to the historic Notre Dame du Roc chapel, perched imposingly atop a 184-metre-high ravine. It is also the gateway to the famous lavender fields of the northern Gorges de Verdon.
• Lake Sainte-Croix Many consider it to be the most beautiful lake in the South of France. This artificial lake was built in the 1970s and contains 761 million cubic metres of water. Its beauty is hard to put into words, you simply have to visit it and swim in its waters for a while.

Useful information:

• Price: The price per traveller can be around €130 approximately.
• Duration: Depending on the company you hire and the itinerary, the tour can take anywhere from 09 to 12 hours to complete.
• Recommended if: You are visiting Nice for a short holiday and want to make the most of your stay. I recommend combining this tour with an excursion to the French Riviera from Nice in order to enjoy the charm and magic of the French Riviera to the fullest. You will want to come back very soon!

The trip from Nice to Gorges de Verdon is much easier than you might think. Starting from your location in Nice, take the road heading west and follow the road in the direction of Dignes les Bains to Castellane. The journey usually takes approximately 2 hours, 30 minutes to complete.

Travelling by private car from Nice to Verdon can be an excellent plan for all eligible travellers. This method is favoured by local French families who year after year travel from all over the country for a few days of fun in the Gorges du Verdon Natural Park.

How to rent a car in Nice.

If you opt for this option, you will probably need to hire a car for you and your companions.

As you will notice once you arrive at your destination, Les Gorges du Vernon are criss-crossed by easily passable roads, so it will be easy to move from one point to another along the route.

Here are some popular alternatives I recommend you consider for car rental in Nice.

• Rent A Car: Their offices are located at 23 Av. Jean Moulin.
• Europcar Nice Cote D'Azur: This rental service is also available at Nice Airport. Their offices are located at Av. Didier Daurat.
• Alamo Rent A Car: Their offices are located at 34 Av. Auber.

Where to stay near Gorges du Verdon

If you are travelling on your own by car to the Gorges, the best alternative is to stay overnight. Driving tired and late at night to Nice may not be the best option if you don't know your way around.

Fortunately, accommodation options abound in the surrounding area and many visitors prefer to stay within the park itself. Here are a few alternatives.

• Hotel and Spa Gorges du Verdon: Directly on the Route des Crêtes, this is the best located hotel in the area. It also offers travellers the best views imaginable and a restaurant serving home-made local cuisine that is rated as one of the best in the area.
• Grand Canyon Hotel du Verdon: Located in Aiguines, this hotel was built 300 metres above the Gorges. Consequently, you can enjoy views of the Canyon gateway and the bay.
• Auberge du Lac: The perfect alternative for those who want to make the most of the amusements of Lake Sainte Croix. The place offers a wide selection of amazing activities, including kayaking in Sainte-Croix.

Useful information:

• Price: Renting a mini car in Nice costs around €30 per day. Fuel costs should also be taken into account.
• Duration: If you are travelling on your own, I recommend booking at least 2 days of your itinerary, so that you can enjoy the place 100% without rushing.
• Recommended if: You have visited the South of France before and are in some way familiar with it. It's a great alternative if you are travelling with locals who know their way around.

Another common way to get to the Gorges de Verdon is via the bus companies that offer bus services connecting Nice with the surrounding towns.

Many of these buses depart from the airport, as Nice Côte d'Azur International Airport is the most important airport in the region.

While the bus is a great way to explore other destinations in Nice, such as a trip to St Tropez, when it comes to the Gorges de Verdon it's a long and complicated journey and you'll need to set aside several days of your itinerary.

Nice - Gorges de Verdon bus route

If you decide to make the journey by bus, this is the route I recommend you follow.

The first step is to arrange your transfer to the airport. There are plenty of options in Nice, but the fastest bus to Nice city centre and airport terminal 1 is the Lignes D'azur bus no. 12.

Arriving at the airport terminal, you will need to take the shuttle to Castellane. Operated by the company Zou! bus line 31 departs twice a day, at 07h and at 14h in the afternoon.

Finally, the bus will take you to Place Marcel Sauvaire, from here the only way to get to Verdon Gorge is by private transport. The taxi ride takes 40 minutes to complete. It is best to look for accommodation in the village of Castellane itself.

Useful Information:

• Price: You will need to take 2 buses at least €10 each. However, the last leg by taxi can be over €100.
• Duration: The bus journey to the Gorges takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes. You'll need to set aside half a day just for the journey.
• Recommended yes: This alternative has many drawbacks and very few advantages. It is not an alternative I would recommend to any of my travelling friends.

Visiting this idyllic mountain destination will be one of the best experiences of your life. To ensure that your trip lives up to your expectations, pay attention to these simple but practical tips based on experience.

Hire boats in advance...

On your trip to the Gorges du Verdon, you will have the opportunity to rent a boat to navigate the lake or go kayaking. However, unless you are travelling on an organised tour, advance bookings are a must.

Demand is high and if you arrive later than 10am in the morning, you may not be able to hire boats for that particular day.

Protect yourself from the sun

Sunburn is very common for travellers visiting the area. No matter what time of year you travel, bring sunscreen (which should be applied frequently), sunglasses and your favourite hat or cap.

Bring snacks and drinks for the journey...

Before leaving Nice prepare enough snacks and drinks for the whole group. Both the tours and the boat trips tend to make everyone hungry and you may be a long way from a stall afterwards.

The Gorges de Verdon is a living nature destination worth visiting at times when the weather is pleasant enough to be outdoors. As this is the south of France, the specific recommendation is as follows.

The best time to visit Gorges du Verdon is May-June or September-October, just before it gets colder. During these months the weather is extremely pleasant, allowing you to hike and spend hours of fun in nature.

In addition, all activities such as canoeing, swimming and hiking are available during these months, as the season officially starts in April.

A large proportion of travellers prefer to visit the Gorges du Verdon in July and August, coinciding with the summer in Nice. This is the peak tourist season and you will also find plenty of activities, but the flow of tourists can be overwhelming and booking activities in advance is a must to get a place.