Between Castellane and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, La Palud-sur-Verdon is one of three villages in the Gorges du Verdon: Rougon, La Palud-sur-Verdon and Aiguines.
Located in the heart of Europe’s largest canyon, a renowned spot for outdoor activities and a must for rock-climbers, it’s also the starting point for hikes in the Gorges du Verdon, whether viewed from the air or from the river.
A panoramic view of
Europe’s largest canyon
? We recommend you take the famous
route des crêtes
. Whether by car, motorcycle, camper van or electrically-assisted bicycle, you’ll be amazed!
Hike the 23 km route, taking time to contemplate the scenery and watch the vultures from every vantage point.
As early as 1968, the Verdon Grand Canyon opened up to
climbing
. The Escalès cliff, accessible via the Route des Crêtes, is home to some of the world’s finest limestone, with routes of over 200 meters. From the lookouts, abseiling limits the number of approach steps.
It was in the 80s, thanks to Patrick Edlinger and many other renowned climbers, that the Gorges du Verdon became the world’s star climbing spot.
Today, it’s a must-see spot that attracts climbing champions such as Seb Bouin, who recently set a world record.
Climbers come and go… Some stay for a lifetime, because there’s something fascinating about these cliffs, with their variations in color, material and that incredible feeling of height.
Are you interested?
In the heart of the
Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon
Since its creation, the village has been part of the“Grand Site des Gorges du Verdon” operation, which aims to protect the area.
Initially proposed by the French Ministry of Ecology, the operation is designed to initiate a local approach to the management of major listed sites.
The Plein Voir trail
as its name suggests, offers breathtaking views of the Gorges du Verdon and
Lac de Sainte-Croix
.
Water rambling
canyoning
canyoning
and via cordata are just some of the activities that will enable you to discover the canyon from a unique angle… some parts of the gorges are only accessible by river or cliff.
In the center of the village, the 18th-century château houses the
Gorges du Verdon Ecomuseum
. You’ll learn all about the canyon’s rich environment, its abundant flora and characteristic fauna, not to mention the village’s history.
Reintroduced to the Gorges du Verdon between 1999 and 2004, with only a few pairs, the griffon vulture has adapted well, and today there are over 600 vultures in the gorges. Nesting on cliffs, flying with wings outstretched and using warm or cold air currents to move around, this environment is ideal for the griffon vulture: it’s its habitat.
The best spots for observing this giant of the air are the route des crêtes (the first lookouts) and the village of
Rougon
.
From the village, you’re just a few metres from the most spectacular cliffs in the Grand Canyon!
From 480 to 1,930 meters above sea level, discover a mosaic of unique, unspoilt landscapes.
The village of La Palud-sur-Verdon is a nugget. It’s a pleasantly relaxed place to live. Soak up its rich history, know-how and Provencal traditions.
