National park · France
Verdon GorgeGorges du Verdon
Visit Verdon Gorge: buy a €9–12 entry ticket, drive the rim road (D952) for the main views, hike Sentier de L'Imbut (4 km (2.5 mi)) in spring, and avoid July‑August crowds.Visit Verdon Gorge: buy a €9–12 entry ticket, drive the rim road (D952) for the main views, hike Sentier de L'Imbut (2.5 mi (4 km)) in spring, and avoid July‑August crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²)
approximate
Established
1995
Best months
Mar–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
At a glance
- Country
- France
- Area
- 120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²)
- Approximately 120 km² covering the canyon and its rim; figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1995
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Verdon Gorge is a deep limestone canyon in Alpes‑de‑Haute‑Provence, famous for its turquoise river, dramatic cliffs and a network of trails from easy viewpoint walks to demanding canyon treks.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1995.
Size and age
120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²) · national park since 1995
Approximately 120 km² covering the canyon and its rim; figures vary by source (check).
Why go
- Spectacular turquoise river cut between sheer limestone cliffs.
- Iconic viewpoints such as Point Sublime and the Imbut gorge.
- World‑class hiking routes from easy to demanding.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, quiet; some trails may be wet.
- FebMild, few tourists.
- MarSpring bloom, comfortable temps.
- AprIdeal weather for hiking.
- MayWarm, dry, full trail access.
- JunWarm, start of peak season.
- JulHeat, higher crowd levels.
- AugHeat, occasional thunderstorms.
- SepLate summer, cooler evenings.
- OctAutumn colours, mild.
- NovCool, fewer visitors.
- DecQuiet, but some facilities close.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden eagles and other raptorsApr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Alpine newts in mountain streamsMay–Aug | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Rim road (D952) | Scenic drive with pull‑outs, parking, and viewpoints. | Open to vehicles with entry ticket. |
| Sentier de L'Imbut | 4.3 km (2.7 mi) shaded trail into the narrow canyon.2.7 mi (4.3 km) shaded trail into the narrow canyon. | Free, but requires entry ticket. |
| Sentier Martel | 23 km (14 mi) classic canyon trek.14 mi (23 km) classic canyon trek. | Guided or self‑guided with ticket. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are central to the gorge; exact points may vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (rim road and viewpoints) | EUR 9–12 (≈ US$11–14) | person | Check exact price at the gate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission.check
- Camping
- Only in designated campgrounds; wild camping prohibited.
- Fire
- Open fires forbidden; use designated BBQ areas.
- Swimming
- Allowed only in designated spots; motor boats prohibited.
Where to stay
Near the park
La Pallud‑sur‑Verdon
Hotels, B&Bs and campgrounds 5 km (3.1 mi) from the main gate.Hotels, B&Bs and campgrounds 3.1 mi (5 km) from the main gate.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Rockfall on steep sections low
Limited mobile signal low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Rim road pull‑outs have short, level paths suitable for limited mobility.
- Trails are steep and uneven; not wheelchair accessible.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails to protect fragile vegetation.
- Take all rubbish with you; use provided bins at viewpoints.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Verdon Gorge?
Entry tickets cost €9–12 per adult; children under 12 are free. Prices are checked at the main gate.
What are the best hikes in Verdon Gorge?
Top hikes are Sentier de L'Imbut (4 km, moderate) and Sentier Martel (23 km, hard). Both start from the rim road.
When is the best time to visit Verdon Gorge?
Spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October) offer mild weather and fewer crowds.
Can I camp inside the gorge?
Camping is only allowed in designated campgrounds; wild camping is prohibited.
Is a guide required for any trail?
A guide is recommended for the long Sentier Martel trek; shorter trails can be done independently with a ticket.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Verdon Gorge
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