Updated : 2 February 2026 at 10:03
Planning to visit the Gorges du Verdon in 3 days ? You’re in the right place! We’ve put together a dream itinerary that will take you through amazing blue waters, beautiful landscapes and picturesque villages. Get ready to be charmed !
Why Visit the Gorges du Verdon ?
The Verdon is a truly magical destination and a must-see if you go on holidays in the South of France. Whether you explore it on foot, by car or with canoe/paddle, its breathtaking panoramas will leave you with unforgettable memories.
Before sharing our 3-day itinerary for visiting the Gorges du Verdon, here are a few key things you should know :
The Gorges du Verdon are the largest canyon in Europe. The area is made up of several sections, from east to west: the Grand Canyon, Lake Sainte-Croix, the Baudinard Gorges and the Lower Gorges (Basses Gorges). To give you an idea of the configuration, here is a simplified map of the Verdon Gorges :
The best time to visit is outside peak season: May–June and September–October. There are fewer people on the water and along the shores, making the experience far more enjoyable. (Fun fact : we once went paddleboarding on Lake Esparron on Christmas Day—and had the lake completely to ourselves !).
Like most road trip itineraries in the South of France, renting a car is essential.
Useful Websites for Visiting the Verdon in 3 Days
Find the best rail journey with SNCF Connect
Compare accommodations with Booking
Rent a car at the best price with DiscoverCars
Book unique activities with GetYourGuide
Where to Stay When you visit the Gorges du Verdon ?
Here are our three favorite places to stay during your trip :
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
Our absolute favorite village in the Verdon. We stayed at the beautiful guesthouse La Fabrique, a former pottery factory renovated into a charming accommodation at the bottom of the village – perfectly located near the main attractions.
Greoux-les-Bains
A lovely village just minutes from Esparron Lake. We had an unforgettable stay at the elegant Villa Castellane, where everything was perfect, from the rooms to the swimming pool.
La Palud-sur-Verdon
We haven’t stayed here yet, but it’s an excellent base for exploring the region, especially for hiking, the Route des Crêtes and easy access to Sainte-Croix Lake.
Here is our detailed day-by-day program. You can of course swap the days as you wish, pick activities here and add others 😁
DAY 1 : DISCOVER THE GORGES DU VERDON BY CAR
On your first day, we recommend driving through the region to enjoy the most spectacular viewpoints of the Gorges du Verdon. Since you’ll be close to Sainte-Croix Lake , you can relax by the water in the afternoon.
The “Route des Crêtes”, The Most Spectacular ROAD
The legendary “Route des Crêtes” features 14 viewpoints spread over 23 km, offering stunning panoramas over the canyon. The road winds between cliffs and mountains, revealing breathtaking scenery at every turn. It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to do it entirely and you should prefer to drive early in the morning to avoid traffic.
🤓 🤓 🤓 Don’t forget binoculars, you may spot griffon vultures soaring overhead.
🏁 🏁 🏁 The road starts in La Palud-sur-Verdon and we ill have to do it clockwise (see our map of the Verdon Gorges at the start of the article). The starting point is here.
Our favorite viewpoints :
Relaxing at Sainte-Croix Lake
Go on to Sainte-Croix Lake, the largest artificial lake in Europe. Its size and intense turquoise color are mesmerizing. Drive along the lake or walk along the shoreline to find quieter, shaded spots.
The lake offers many water activities: kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, pedal boats, sailing boats and small electric boats. Near the Pont du Galetas, you’ll find a large beach and several water-sport rental centers, as well as an amazing viewpoint over the Gorges du Verdon.
From Galetas Beach, you can paddle directly into the gorge for about 2 km, surrounded by towering cliffs; an unforgettable experience.
– Good to know –
Bauduen and Cadeno Beach are usually less crowded and they offer water-sport facilities to explore the wilder parts of the lake.
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, The Most Beautiful Village in Verdon
Classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is the perfect place to stay during your 3 days visiting the Gorges du Verdon.
Built into the cliffside, the village is full of artisan shops, pottery boutiques, charming squares and great restaurants. After a full day, strolling through its cobbled streets while the golden light illuminates the cliffs is pure magic.
DAY 2 : EXPLORE THE GORGES DU VERDON BY FOOT
Hiking is one of the best ways to experience the Verdon. From impressive trails to family-friendly walks, the scenery is always spectacular.
The Most Famous Trails :
- The legendary Blanc-Martel trail : We haven’t done this one ourselves – it’s considered quite challenging and is not recommended if you suffer from vertigo or if you are hiking with young children. Expect tunnels (headlamp required), long staircases and narrow cliffside paths. Adventurous hikers will love it! 😊
– Practical infos –
It takes 6–7 hours of hiking. Start at Chalet de la Maline (La Palud-sur-Verdon). Our little advice : Leave your car at Point Sublime, go hiking and take the shuttle that brings you to the start (approximatively 30mn), and retrieve your car !
- The most spectacular Imbut trail : Meet at the Cavaliers restaurant for departure, then start by walking 30 minutes of steep descent. Arriving at the bottom, it takes 4 hours of walking there and back. It is one of the most spectacular hikes in the Verdon but one of the most difficult. It is also forbidden to swim due to the high flow of water. You will encounter some tricky passages, huge boulders to get around and slightly slippery stones. It is strongly recommended to hire a guide.
– Update –
Due to a landslide in winter 2022, the Imbut Trail is currently closed. Please check accessibility before planning this hike.
The Garde-Canal Trail, perfect for Families
We discovered this trail in winter and were blown away by the scenery. Starting at Quinson Lake, it takes 3–4 hours and is suitable for children.
Along the way, you’ll walk on stone walls, climb steps, pass through a tunnel and enjoy beautiful views over the gorge. The trail leads up to Sainte-Maxime Chapel, a perfect spot for a picnic with a panoramic view. You can then choose to return by the same way or make a loop.
– Wildlife lovers –
Bring binoculars – you may spot vultures, goats and wild ibex along the way (watch your lunch!). 😋
DAY 3 : DISCOVER THE GORGES FROM THE WATER
After seeing the canyons by car and hiking one of its most beautiful trails, discover the charm of the Gorges thanks to a water activity ! An activity on the water is essential if you come to visit the Gorges du Verdon in 3 days.
Our favorite place for this is the lower gorges, and more particularly Esparron Lake.
Esparron-de-Verdon , a Peace and Quiet place
Esparron Lake is perfect for escaping the crowds. Park your car in Esparron-de-Verdon or at the Pont Coupé Natural Site, here. (paid parking in summer).
You’ll find canoe and kayak rentals to explore the lake at your own pace. Whether you paddle toward Quinson or loop around the lake, the scenery is spectacular. Expect about half a day by canoe or paddleboard.
You’ll discover swimming spots, shaded coves, cliffs for jumping (always check water depth!) and even a charming stone hut hidden along the shoreline. 🤓
Saint-Julien Beach : Tranquility Guaranteed
This is our favorite side of the lake. Even in high season, it’s easy to find secluded spots after just a few paddle strokes. Towering cliffs plunge into turquoise water, creating a wild and peaceful atmosphere. One of our favorite places is “Vallon de la Galerie”, nicknamed “the mangrove,” where the water is calm and fish swim close to the surface.
On the opposite shore, when you go to the “Lac Sauvage” (naturist campsite nearby), you will see submerged tree branches emerging from the water create a truly magical sight.
🥾🥾🥾 You prefer to walk ? You can follow the Garde-Canal path from Saint-Julien Beach toward Esparron, with plenty of shaded swimming spots along the way.
– Good to know –
The access road to Saint-Julien Beach is rough but manageable. Parking costs €4 in high season (cash only). Canoe rentals are available on-site.
To end this 3-day visiting to the Gorges du Verdon, we advise you to take a trip to Greoux-Les-Bains. Take advantage of the end of the day to walk in the old town and eat in a bucolic setting at the Terrasse des Marronniers.
– Our tip –
In summer, book your canoe or boat several days – or even a week – in advance.
More Things to Do in the Gorges du Verdon :
– Our Opinion –
Living just 2 hours away, we often go the Gorges du Verdon and we’re amazed every single time. Spending 3 days here is perfect to disconnect, swim in turquoise waters, wander through hilltop villages and take in spectacular scenery. It’s our favorite nature getaway in southern France and we hope this itinerary inspires you to discover the Gorges du Verdon for yourself.
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