A Guide to Visiting the Gorges du Verdon in France

Last Updated March 2026

I’ve been wanting to visit the Gorges du Verdon for years. Located a couple hours north of the French Riviera and east of the Provence region, the Gorges du Verdon is the perfect add-on to any South of France trip. We visited mid-July after our trip to Provence and opted to stay nearby in Cotignac, a medieval French town with centuries-old cave buildings and local markets.

The Gorges du Verdon (also known as the ‘Verdon Gorge’ in English) is especially famous for its turquoise color, and it does not disappoint! The bright blue hue comes from glacial minerals, and is so striking in person. It’s best seen from the lookout and on the water. This guide to the Gorges du Verdon covers the best viewpoints, renting a boat, and where to stay to make the most of your trip here.

When to Visit the Gorges du Verdon

Summer — June through August — is the best time to visit. The weather is constantly sunny and the boat rentals will be open. For less crowds, go in shoulder season (May or September). Just be aware that the rentals may be closed.

Where to Stay near the Gorges du Verdon

There are a number of destinations in the South of France that allow for a day trip to the Gorges du Verdon. Most are a couple hours drive away, so you might alternatively prefer to stay in a nearby town for a few days like we did. Cotignac is the perfect town to stay overnight: it’s walkable and has delicious restaurants, and it’s 35 minutes away by car from the Gorges du Verdon (make sure to map yourself to the ‘Pont du Galetas’ if you’re using google maps). If you’re based in Nice or nearby, it’s also possible to book day trip tickets in advance that will handle transport and the best sights in the region. Here are my recommendations for nearby hotels and houses to stay in Cotignac (prioritizing a short walk to the main restaurants!):

Hotels in Cotignac

Maset des Amandiers – $$ – beautiful rooms and a lovely garden walking distance to the village.
Campagne de la source – $$ – take in the beautiful surroundings and relax around nature in this cute B&B.
Pierres Blanches – $$$ – each room has a terrace with garden views and includes continental breakfast.
Lou Calen – $$$ –  a dreamy hotel set in picturesque grounds, right in the heart of Cotignac. Where I’d stay next time.
Guesthouse Le Mas de Cotignac – $$$ – a popular pick in the region, with tastefully decorated, modern rooms.

Homes in Cotignac

Cosy & Chill Apartment – $ – a bright studio apartment in the heart of Cotignac with a kitchenette and modern amenities.
Heart of Cotignac – $ – a charming one-bedroom apartment steps from the village center, featuring traditional Provençal details.
L’Oustau – $$ – a beautifully renovated two-bedroom home in historic Cotignac with a fully equipped kitchen.
Villa La Cadelle – $$$ – a spacious four-bedroom villa with a swimming pool and garden offering views over Cotignac.
Le Jardin de Camille – $$$$ – a three-bedroom villa with a pool, outdoor dining area and garden, with dramatic exposed limestone walls as seen in Cotignac’s traditional cave dwellings.

More from this trip in our south of france: french riviera guide

Other cities you can stay at near the Gorges du Verdon

• Nice — One of the larger cities in France, Nice is located on the French Riviera. It’s close to smaller, picturesque towns like Menton and Villefrance-Sur-Mer. Around 2 hours, 20 minutes from the Gorges du Verdon. View hotels in Nice.
• Cannes — Made famous by the international film festival, Cannes is known for high-end shopping, architecture, and it’s beautiful location on the French Riviera. Around 2 hours from the Gorges du Verdon. View hotels in Cannes.
• Gordes, Lourmarin & Oppède — this region offers no shortage of picturesque towns to stay in, many of them perched on the surrounding hilltops and with nearby lavender fields. Of the three, my top choice is Lourmarin. I found the town to be the most picturesque and our hotel, Le Galinier de Lourmarin, was my favorite of the trip – so charming and set in beautiful french gardens. All three towns are about 2.5 hours from the Gorges du Verdon, depending on which one you stay in. View hotels in Gordes, Lourmarin, and Oppède.
• Valensole — this region of southern France is home to the most photographed lavender field. The town itself is small. Around 1 hour, 10 minutes from the Gorges du Verdon. View hotels in Valensole.

Cotignac, our pick for where to stay near the Gorges du Verdon. View all hotels in Cotignac

How to get to the Gorges du Verdon Lookout

The most photographed spot at the Gorges du Verdon is from the Pont du Galetas bridge, which overlooks the gorges and all the boats entering the Verdon River. By car, you can easily park at the nearby parking lot and walk onto the bridge to capture a photo of the stunning water and boats below.

You may also want to drive around the Verdon area for other views of the landscape and water. We particularly loved the lookout I marked as ‘High Viewpoint’ in our Google Map below, where these photos are taken from:

Where to Swim at the Gorges du Verdon

While boating, there are a number of small beaches along the river that allow for swimming. You may be told with a motor boat not to dock, so be sure to confirm beforehand that it’s not an issue if you plan to jump in.

Otherwise, there are plenty of beaches in the area to swim. We loved the Plage de Chabassol, nearby the boat rentals but far enough away from the main crowds. Note that the beaches have small rocks and pebbles, not sand.

Renting a Boat at the Gorges du Verdon

There are boat rentals on both sides of the Pont du Galetas bridge, with more options on the right (south) side. You can choose between a pedal boat, kayak, or motorboat depending on your group size and how active you want to be. We visited in the afternoon during peak season in mid-July and ended up renting a motorboat from the rental furthest from the bridge. The cost for our motorboat was 70 euro for 2 hours. Being out on the water was easily the highlight of the day, and we could have spent hours more out there.

One of the most well-known operators is MYC Plage, which departs right from the Galetas bridge. They offer 1, 2, or 3 hour rentals and can be booked online in advance, which I’d strongly recommend in peak season. Just plan to arrive 15 minutes before your reservation time. You can also check out Base de Loisirs La Cadeno, also near the bridge, as another option.

A few things worth knowing before you go: boats can travel about 1.5 km into the river from the bridge, after which the gorge is closed to protect the environment. Electric boats fit 6 to 8 people depending on the vessel, making them a great option for groups. Pedal boats allow you to stop and swim along the way, while motorboats cover more ground. Whatever you choose, get out on the water. It’s the best way to experience the gorge!

Our Gorges du Verdon Map

Double click below to zoom in and see the spots pictured in this guide. Point A is the famous lookout over the Gorges du Verdon — don’t miss this view, you’ll want a photo here!

Final Tips

• Bring food & drinks beforehand: We brought snacks from the local market in Cotignac, and many people also bring drinks (including beer and wine) to sip while they cruise around.
• Plan in advance for boat rentals: go early in the day. Arriving before 10am will give you a better chance of securing a boat for the day. You can also call ahead to reserve your boat — but you’ll have better luck if you speak some French.
• Wear a hat, sunscreen, etc: summer is typically very hot in this region (think high 90’s Fahrenheit).

One of my favorite parts of the Verdon area was seeing families and locals alike enjoy the water and sunshine. You get the feeling here that many people visit every summer! I hope this guide convinced you to add the Gorges du Verdon region to your itinerary.

If you’re heading to France, don’t miss our Complete Paris Travel Guide. For the rest of your South of France trip, our Provence Travel Guide covers hilltop villages, lavender fields, and where to stay in the Luberon, and our French Riviera Guide has everything you need for the coast.

FAQ

What is the best time to visit the Gorges du Verdon? June through August is ideal for boat rentals, swimming, and sunny weather. If you prefer fewer crowds, May and September are worth considering, though some boat rentals may be closed.

How do you get to the Gorges du Verdon? A rental car is the most practical option. Set your GPS to Pont du Galetas for the main lookout and boat rental area. Most towns in the South of France are within a two hour drive. An alternate option is booking an all-day tour of the Gorges du Verdon from Nice.

How long should you spend at the Gorges du Verdon? A full day is enough to see the lookout, rent a boat, and swim. If you want a more relaxed pace, staying overnight in nearby Cotignac makes for a much better experience.

Can you swim in the Gorges du Verdon? Yes. There are small pebble beaches along the river suitable for swimming, and you can also jump in from certain points while boating. Plage de Chabassol is our favorite spot near the boat rentals.

Is Cotignac a good base for visiting the Gorges du Verdon? It’s our top pick. It’s only 35 minutes from the gorge by car, walkable, and has excellent restaurants and a daily market. Much more charming than staying in a larger city nearby.