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Verdon Gorge, France: description, history, interesting facts and reviews

France - an amazing country: the birthplace of the most famous perfume fragrances, the legislator of world fashion and the favorite resting place for millions of tourists from all over the world. It is multifaceted, full of charm and unique sights both man-made and natural. And the combination of man-made and natural beauty embodied the Verdon Gorge.

Limestone white mountains, the river, swiftly carrying its waters - all this Verdon, a place where many tourists cardinally change the concept of Europe.

Location:

The Verdon Gorge (France) is in the Upper Provence. This place harmoniously combines picturesque landscapes rich in bright and fresh greenery and crystal clear water, with steep cliffs. This is the main attraction, which is the pride of Upper Provence. This is not easy the most picturesque place in the vicinity, but also the deepest canyon in Europe.

The Verdon Gorge stretches for nineteen kilometers, its depth is seven hundred and one meters, and the width varies from almost two hundred to one and a half thousand meters. Perhaps, experienced climbers such values will not surprise, but in France the gorge has the status of the deepest and longest in the country. And the beauty of its slopes, which covers dense fresh herbs, can make a worthy competition to many of the most interesting places on Earth.

Nature worked long hours, creating the Verdon Gorge. The river, the waters of which are painted in some amazing emerald-blue color, delightful views of the gorge, are practically steep limestone cliffs, attract travelers from all over the world to these places. This place is located not far from the French Riviera, so both Romantics and extreme tourists come here.

History

Scientists believe that the Verdon Gorge appeared from two hundred to two hundred and fifty million years ago. In those days, the territory, which today is called Provence, was located at the bottom of the sea, which was inhabited by millions of marine organisms. Over time, the sea dried up, and its invertebrate inhabitants, more precisely, their shells, formed huge amounts of limestone.

The process of forming the relief of this area was completed by water. For several centuries the river was washed by local limestone. Its rapid azure waters have created a picturesque gorge with numerous caves of the most bizarre forms.

River Verdon

The Verdon Gorge is located in the upper reaches of the river of the same name. It slowly carries its waters from the Alps, from a height of two thousand meters. Then she speeds up her run and heads to the Mediterranean, merging along the way with another river - Durance. And, finally, turning to the west, it enters the gorge, which is famous for its high steep banks. They have long been chosen by climbers from different countries.

The source of the Verdon River is in the south-western Alps, at an altitude of more than two thousand and seventy-six kilometers. The river flows to the southwest, in the direction of Colmars, Allos. Km. On the one hundred and seventy-fifth kilometer it merges with Durance in the settlement of Vinon sur Verdon. In the period from 1929 to 1975, after flooding the dam, several lakes were created.

Town of Castellan

All tourists heading to the Verdon Gorge necessarily make a stop in this picturesque town. Here you can see the ancient stone bridge across Verdon, next to a steep high rock, on which there is a picturesque church. There are a lot of different shops: honey, perfume and grocery. Five minutes from the center of the town there is a lake - Castillon, with rocky beaches and with crystal clear turquoise water.

The lake is beautiful, but not equipped for beaches. But here you can have a good rest admiring the picturesque views and go fishing (2 categories) by boat. Nearby to the town of Sain-Julien-du-Verdon, which is located along the lake, there is a boat station where you can rent a boat and a catamaran, and in the town you can get permission and the necessary equipment for fishing, if you do not have it. As the locals say, practically all the fish of the Verdon Gorge are found here: trout, carp and even more than six other varieties.

Lake Saint Croix

This is another famous landmark gorge. The lake was formed artificially, after the construction of a dam located further along the river. Here you can make not only bright and expressive photos that demonstrate the height and grandeur of limestone mountains, but also to bathe in emerald water.

The Verdon Gorge is a unique place in France, where centuries-old natural reliefs are combined with a caring attitude towards them of man. Here, at a height of several tens of meters, you can hear your own voice, which seems to be repelled from white rocks.

Small and large waterfalls that carry their water from the coastal rocks are a magnificent game of water splashes and light. Such pictures give those positive emotions that are difficult to describe, but it is necessary to feel it.

Rocks

In some parts of the gorge the rocks have an extraordinary cut, like a fairy-tale giant cut them with a sharp knife. For this reason, experts on fossils come here. Often in these places you can find collapsed limestone, which stores the remains of ancient mollusks. Here, everyone can feel like an archaeologist, a pioneer, and touch the centuries-old history.

In some places, the slopes of the gorge are practically vertical, to the delight of climbers. But, we assure you that it will be interesting not only for climbers. On the slopes of the canyon loop numerous pedestrian paths, differing in degree of complexity. They offer stunning views of the gorge. Those who wish can rent a bicycle and ride in the surrounding area.

The Verdon gorge is famous not only for its fast river and rocks. On the opposite side of the canyon are lavender fields, which create a special atmosphere of peace and beauty.

Verdon Gorge: we choose the route ourselves

Tourist routes are laid along the canyon, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of the gorge. Route des Gorges is a route that runs along the northern side of the gorge, along the road D952 from Castellane to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie and route des Crtes (D23), also called the Cretan road.

Its length is about one hundred kilometers, most of the route passes at an altitude of more than nine hundred and fifty meters. The highest point is Col du Grand Ballon (1343 m). Climb the Cretan road from two sides: from the North or South of Rome. The appropriate path should be chosen taking into account the lighting and time of day. It is better to start in the morning, as the journey can take a whole day.

In summer, at the beginning of the journey, you will have the opportunity to admire the flowering fields of lavender. Then there will be picturesque mountain settlements, and even higher you will see observation platforms, from which you can see stunning views of the gorge. The Verdon gorge in winter is certainly very beautiful. However, it is not always possible to cross the Cretan road at this time, so it is better to go to conquer the summits in the spring or summer. The nearest city to this route is Cannes, so it is more expedient to get out of this route from it.

Route de la Corniche Sublime

The southern route that runs from Aiguines to Castellane, along the roads D995, D71, D90 to Pont de Soleils. Two-lane roads, with reliable wooden fences. This is the route most often followed by tourist buses.

Travel by car

Especially Verdon Gorge (reviews confirm this) is remembered for motorists. Such a trip is guaranteed to bring bright and unforgettable impressions. And all because the roads here are located so that often before the gaze of motorists to open such views on the rocks of the canyon, it's just the spirit that captures.

Sometimes, limestone blocks grow right above the road, and it seems that you are moving under a giant stone peak. For this reason, not all tourists choose to travel by car. But in a few minutes, amazing views of the green cliffs, as well as their reflection in the sparkling river, completely supplant even traces of fear.

Leisure

Every year the Verdon gorge conquers more and more admirers. Here come lovers of active and extreme recreation. Not without reason here besides the main ones, there are dozens of walking routes. They stretched along the banks of the river, enter caves and rush to the tops of the gorge. To pass this route, you should be patient, since this walk takes at least six hours. But during this time you can feel how beautiful and harmonious the nature can be.

For fans of conquering mountain peaks, several rocks were equipped here. It is possible to rent kayaks, water bicycles, kayaks to get to the very center of the gorge and build your own way along the azure river.

When is it better to go to the gorge?

We are sure that many people are interested in the Verdon Gorge. How to get here, and for what time it is better to plan a trip is probably interesting for future travelers. To fully appreciate the beauty of the Verdon Gorge, it is better to come here in the summer. Despite the fact that the climate in France is quite mild, in autumn and spring, rainy and quite often rains in these places. Although many people find in the misty canyon something inexplicable and fascinating.

Verdon Gorge: how to get there?

The most convenient way to use a rental car, and armed with a map of Provence. But this option is suitable only for experienced drivers who are not afraid of winding mountain roads.

You can use public transport from Aix-en-Provence, Nice and Marseilles. From Nice through Gras, take bus number 21 of LER on the route "Nice - Gap" with a stop in Castellane. This option is inconvenient because the bus leaves only once a day in one direction and the other. The journey takes 2 hours and 10 minutes.

From Marseille, you can take the bus number 27 through Aix-en-Provence and Moustier-Saint-Marie. He also makes one flight a day, and is on the road for 3 hours. From Castellana along the gorge there is a bus number 19. His regime depends on the season - in spring and summer up to three times a day, in the autumn - one.

Reviews of tourists

The Verdon Gorge is a unique place. According to tourists, to visit here means to make yourself a great gift. From the memories of the time spent here, my heart freezes. Gorge allows you to completely break away from reality and immerse yourself in some fantastic atmosphere of a completely different world: unusually blue water, fantastic landscapes, picturesque neighborhoods, painted in a gentle pink color due to flowering almonds and stupefying lavender fields.

Here everyone can find a rest for the soul - wander through the picturesque surroundings or swim along a fast river in a kayak, conquer a mountain peak or soak up under the tender sunshine on the lake shore. In any case, from this trip you will bring a lot of vivid impressions, positive emotions and stunning photos.

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