Updated : 2 February 2026 at 10:02
Need to recharge your batteries ? There’s no need to travel far, a stay in the Verdon guarantees total disconnection. This stunning region is packed with natural wonders and is rich in culture and heritage. Living in Marseille, we’re lucky enough to visit regularly and every time it feels just as magical !
Between water-based activities in paradise-like settings, visits to picture-postcard villages and magical horseback rides at sunset, we are never disappointed. If you’re planning to visit the Verdon during your vacation, here is a selection of activities we’ve personally tested and approved.
1. STROLL THROUGH THE ALLEYS OF AN AUTHENTIC VILLAGE
Which village should you visit in the Verdon ? Here are 3 villages based around Sainte-Croix Lake which will charm you with their authenticity.
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, one of the most beautiful villages in France
Located near Sainte-Croix Lake and the Gorges du Verdon , Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is an ideal base if you’re visiting the Verdon. Clinging to the foot of a cliff like a nativity scene, this charming village will win you over with its warm atmosphere. As you wander through its lively streets, you’ll come across artisan shops, small authentic cafés, a 12th-century church, famous faience workshops, a waterfall running through the village and restaurants serving Provençal cuisine. Don’t miss the fabulous view over the rooftops of Moustiers from the Notre-Dame de Beauvoir chapel !
❤️ Our favorite activity : a guided tour of the village. There’s nothing better to truly understand the history and richness of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie.
Information & booking : patrimoine@moustiers.fr or +33 (0)4 92 74 67 84.
Aiguines, a hilltop village at the gateway to the Gorges du Verdon
Nestled on a mountainside overlooking the majestic Sainte-Croix Lake, Aiguines is also the starting point for beautiful hikes and the stunning left bank of the gorges, dotted with scenic viewpoints. The famous “panoramic road” here is reminiscent of the Route des Crêtes on the opposite side. Aiguines has many assets if you’re staying in the Verdon, but above all, it’s a village well worth exploring: its lively central square, its surprising castle at the foot of the vineyards, its old houses and vegetation-lined alleys, small Provençal craft shops and its fascinating Woodturners’ Museum.
❤️ Our favorite activity : the guided tour “Between Nature and Heritage”, which reveals the hidden treasures of Aiguines. Information & booking: +33 (0)4 94 70 21 64 / More infos here.
Bauduen, a medieval village on the shores of Sainte-Croix Lake
Set between lush nature and emerald waters, Bauduen is a charming village where life is sweet. You’ll love enjoying a drink at one of the lakeside bars or restaurants while admiring the turquoise waters of Sainte-Croix Lake. You’ll also be enchanted by its few narrow streets lined with beautiful stone houses, lovingly decorated by residents and adorned with greenery. Located right on the lake, renting a kayak is a must if you want to search for the most beautiful hidden coves !
❤️ Our favorite activity : enjoy a friendly pétanque game in the village square while enjoying Provençal specialties.
2. ADMIRE THE MAJESTIC LANDSCAPES OF THE VERDON
A tour of the most beautiful viewpoints is an unmissable activity if you want to truly grasp the immensity of the Verdon’s landscapes. Emotions guaranteed !
Gaze over the rooftops of Moustiers from Notre-Dame-de-Beauvoir
At the entrance of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, climb the 262 steps leading up to the Notre-Dame-de-Beauvoir chapel. Both Romanesque and Gothic in style, it has been listed as a historic monument since 1921. Along the way, you’ll enjoy spectacular views over the rooftops of Moustiers and the surrounding hills, perfect for unforgettable photo sessions ! On the way down, extend the pleasure by walking around the village via Les Claux. This 1.5-hour hike starts near the Porte du Riou and offers scenic viewpoints throughout.
– Practical infoS –
Start on Chemin Marcel Provence, then follow the signs up to the chapel.
Duration: about 20 minutes uphill.
BE AMAZED BY THE VIEW OF Sainte-Croix Lake from Saint-Pierre Chapel in Aiguines
Wander through the narrow streets of this medieval village and head toward Saint-Pierre Chapel. Once you gain a bit of elevation, you’ll be amazed by the vast landscapes and the unique view over Sainte-Croix e. The spectacular panorama stretches as far as the Valensole Plateau ! As mentioned earlier, Aiguines marks the beginning of the “Corniche Sublime”, this first viewpoint is a perfect preview of the many scenic overlooks you’ll encounter along the way.
– Practical infos –
In Aiguines, walk to the end of Rue Haute, turn right, and follow the small path leading directly to Saint-Pierre Chapel.
Be dazzled by the IMMENSITY of the Vaumale cirque
Located 6 kilometers from Aiguines, this viewpoint over the Gorges du Verdon winding through the mountains is spectacular. The sheer scale of the landscape is a powerful reminder that this is the largest canyon in Europe. The depth of the valley is impressive… Our advice : sit down and take your time to soak in this breathtaking view. Wondering when to go ? Late afternoon light is stunning and in autumn the red and orange hues add an extra layer of magic.
– Practical infos –
GoogleMaps GPS Point / The parking area is very small, so approach with caution.
3. DISCOVER THE TRADITIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP OF THE VERDON
The Verdon is also a land of craftsmanship and rich traditions. It would be a shame to miss out on these unique skills !
Experience the art of faience in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
The capital of faience since the 17th century, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie remains a major center of ceramics today. Revived in the 1920s by Marcel Provence, this iconic Verdon village is now home to seven world-renowned faience workshops. You can admire beautiful pieces at the Faience Museum, where you’ll also learn about the history of ceramics and the evolution of production techniques.
Throughout the village, many shops sell their own faience creations, why not take home a piece of Provence with you?
– To go further –
Some workshops are open to visitors, including the Bondil workshop, which can be visited on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. during the season. More info: +33 (0)4 92 74 67 02 or by email at bondilfaiencier@wanadoo.fr
Learn about the history of woodturning in Aiguines
Famous for its studded wooden balls (ancestors of pétanque balls) exported throughout France as early as the 16th century, Aiguines became a key center for woodturning craftsmanship. In 2012, the village rightfully opened one of the very few woodturning schools in France, along with a dedicated museum. Entirely devoted to this craft, the museum retraces the history of woodturning in Aiguines and displays pieces ranging from the oldest to the most contemporary. We loved how accessible and engaging the museum is, even without prior knowledge of woodworking, the story is presented clearly and playfully !
– To go further –
The boutique du Barda is a real delight ! Located in the heart of Aiguines’ old village, the shop is attached to the workshop itself, so you may be lucky enough to see the craftsman at work.
Open daily in July and August. The rest of the year: +33 (0)6 52 07 68 06
Explore the prehistoric era of the GorgeS DU VERDON at the Quinson Museum
In Quinson, you’ll find an original museum dedicated to the history of human life in Provence. Combining reconstructions with artifacts discovered during excavations, this prehistoric museum is captivating, and one of the largest in Europe.
The Verdon Regional Natural Park also contains numerous caves proving human presence since the Paleolithic era. Most are inaccessible for preservation or safety reasons, but the Quinson Prehistory Museum offers guided tours of the Baume Bonne Cave. An incredible experience where you’ll discover traces of life dating back over 400,000 years, a true journey into the history of the Verdon !
– Practical infos –
Hike to Baume Bonne Cave: 7 km round trip – 250 m elevation gain – approx. 2.5 hours (total visit around 4 hours) – Price: €6
– DID YOU KNOW ? –
Sainte-Croix Lake has been an artificial reservoir since 1974. Originally, the dam was designed to irrigate farmland and supply drinking water and electricity to local residents. After 10 years of construction, the Sainte-Croix Dam was completed in 1973, followed by one year to fill the lake. This process profoundly transformed the landscape and local way of life, including the flooding of the village of Les Salles-sur-Verdon and its reconstruction above the lake.
Since 1974, Sainte-Croix Lake has reshaped the Verdon, creating beaches, coves and a growing tourism industry. In 2024, the region celebrated the 50th anniversary of the lake’s creation with six municipalities organizing a week of events, sports and cultural activities, competitions, and spectacular fireworks displays.
4. TRY UNIQUE WATER-BASED ACTIVITIES
To go beyond the classic water sports of the Gorges du Verdon , here are some surprising ideas !
Experience nature up close : freshwater fishin
Zander, pike, brown trout, rainbow trout, if you enjoy fishing, the Verdon offers an incredible playground. From calm waters to fast-flowing rivers, the choice is yours !
If you don’t feel confident going solo, you can hire a guide for an introduction or advanced session.
Fishing guide 04 in Entrevaux: +33 (0)6 50 42 82 05
– To go further –
Great fishing spots in the Verdon include the Coulomp, the Chalvagne, Esparron Lake, Sainte-Croix Lake and the Lance River.
Enter the famous submerged forest of Moustiers
From the La Cadeno leisure base, set out to discover a unique landscape found nowhere else. By pedal boat, canoe or paddleboard, head to the right side of the lake and cross toward the opposite shore. Along the way, you’ll glide over a carpet of shrubs brushing the water’s surface, a truly enchanting sight! Continue toward the shore and you’ll pass through narrow water corridors formed by a submerged forest, like a Mediterranean mangrove in southern France.
(If you want to navigate among the trees, we recommend renting a canoe or paddleboard rather than a pedal boat.)
– Practical infos –
La Cadeno leisure base is open from June 1 to September 30, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Wednesday to Sunday only from September 16).
Discover Sainte-Croix Lake by paddleboard
The Upper Gorge is impressive, but Lake Sainte-Croix is even better ! This vast expanse of stunningly colored water hides countless treasures : secluded beaches, hidden coves, submerged forests. Join us as we explore the lake’s hidden gems !
📍 From Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon : paddle through one of the lake’s most beautiful submerged forests. Heading left from Plage de l’Amour, you’ll find several secluded spots even in summer.
📍 From des Salles-sur-Verdon : you’ll be just meters from Costebelle Island, where you can explore a French-style mangrove. Paddleboards, canoes, and pedal boats are available for rent in the village.
📍 From Bauduen : paddle toward the opposite shore, then follow the coastline. You’ll encounter numerous coves and small beaches perfect for escaping the crowds.
5. ENJOY NATURE ACTIVITIES AROUND LAKE OF SAINTE-CROIX
During our stay in the Verdon, we discovered several unusual activities we’re excited to share.
Explore the Verdon roads by electric bike
Did you know the Verdon can be explored by electric bike ? The region offers several marked routes that showcase the most beautiful highlights of the Gorge. We tested one of these routes and loved the ever-changing panoramas along the way. And if you enjoy photography, cycling makes it easy to stop without disrupting traffic.
Electric bike rentals are available in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie and La Palud-sur-Verdon for cycling around Sainte-Croix Lake.
All routes and rental info can be found on the Vélo Loisirs Provence website.
– To go further –
If you’d like to be accompanied, you can hire a guide. We personally had a fantastic experience with Philippe from @feelsingletrack !
Hike the Tréguier trail with stunning viewpoints
Hiking is one of the best ways to discover the Verdon differently and we’ve found a trail with some of the best views over Sainte-Croix Lake. From the cemetery parking lot in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, head toward the Tréguier viewpoint via a botanical trail. The hike is fairly easy with just a short climb before reaching the lookout.
The Tréguier trail offers beautiful views over olive groves, Sainte-Croix Lake and the Val d’Angouire canyon.
– Practical infos –
Duration: 1.5 hours / Difficulty: easy / Distance: 4.2 km / Elevation gain: 100 m
Visit the Verdon on horseback
Our absolute favorite activity in the Verdon: discovering Sainte-Croix Lake on horseback! With Verdon équitation, we had an unforgettable experience guided by a young, dynamic team. Full of plans to develop their equestrian center, Youssef and Merwen are true horse enthusiasts.
Even if you’re a bit apprehensive, it would be a shame to miss such a close-to-nature experience. We were personally quite nervous at first but thanks to the team, we enjoyed a magical ride, topped off with a stunning sunset over Sainte-Croix Lake.
– Practical infos –
Located in Les Salles-sur-Verdon, the riding center is open year-round for rides around Lake of Sainte-Croix.
Contact: +33 (0)6 49 59 72 17
WHERE TO STAY IN THE VERDON ?
☝️ To go further : located farther from Lake Sainte-Croix (40 minutes) but close to Lake of Esparron, Hôtel & Spa Villa Castellane in Gréoux-les-Bains offers a timeless experience, spacious and cozy rooms, an incredible pool, and delicious cocktails!
WHERE TO EAT IN THE VERDON ?
☝️ To go further : our favorite spot in Gréoux-les-Bains : L’Ardoise ! Great food in a relaxed atmosphere, not to be missed if you’re in the area.
– OUR OPINION –
With our selection of activities for your Verdon holidays, you’rll live an unforgettable stay. Whether you’re sporty or not, traveling with family or friends, there’s something for everyone. Beyond the mesmerizing emerald waters of the lakes, which never get old, the Verdon offers countless ways to explore its richness: by foot, by bike, by horseback, through villages and heritage sites or by discovering the traditional craftsmanship of the region.
In short, the Verdon has so much more to offer than its famous gorge and classic water sports. A fresh perspective brought to us by Intense Verdon, and one that will undoubtedly inspire you to explore the many facets of this remarkable region !
This article was created in collaboration with Intense Verdon, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Var Tourisme. However, our opinion remains entirely free and sincere.
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Merci pour ce site riche en expériences autour de notre cher “Sud”
Quelle merveilleuse idée que de nous faire découvrir cette belle région !
Hâte de voir les prochaines aventures !
Merci pour ton enthousiasme Honorine. Promis, on va faire le maximum pour partager plein de beaux spots de la région 🤍