Learn About Visiting Gorge de Verdon in France

France is a remarkable nation that gave rise to some of the most well-known perfume scents, influenced global fashion, and is a popular destination for travelers from all over the world. It has many facets, is charming, and boasts distinctive man-made and natural sights. The Verdon Gorge personified the fusion of man-made and natural beauty. If you are planning to visit, here are tips for solo traveling.

The upper reaches of the same-named river contain the Verdon Gorge. It slowly transports its waters from the Alps, where they originate at a height of 2,000 meters. Then she picks up the pace as she runs toward the Mediterranean, merging with the Durance river en route. Finally, it makes a U-turn and enters the gorge, known for its steep, high banks. They have long been preferred by climbers from various nations.

At a height of more than 2,766 kilometers, the Verdon River’s source is in the south-western Alps. The river flows in the direction of Colmars, Allos, to the southwest. Km. The community of Vinon Sur Verdon, located on the 137th km, merges with Durance. After flooding the dam, several lakes were formed between 1929 and 1975.

What Is Gorges du Verdon?

One of the biggest canyons in Europe is the Gorges du Verdon. The Gorges du Verdon would have been underwater about 250 million years ago. The conditions for the river canyon to form were set up when geological plates shifted to form the Alps and glaciers melted. The Verdon River carved a 15.5-mile path through limestone cliffs over hundreds of thousands of years to produce the natural phenomenon known as the canyon that visitors see today. Tens of thousands of tourists visit it each year and it is now one of the most well-liked attractions in the South of France.

Some of the limestone cliffs are only a few meters high, but others soar to heights of 700 meters. It’s interesting to note that the reaction between fluoride and algae in the water gives the water its distinctive color. The Lake of Sainte-Croix, a man-made lake built in the 1970s, is where the river Verdon empties after that. This 22 km2 lake serves as the focal point for many of the top activities at the Gorges du Verdon.

Where Is Gorges du Verdon Located?

In the Upper Provence region of France is the Verdon Gorge. This location skillfully blends cliffs, picturesque landscapes rich in vibrant and fresh greenery, and crystal-clear water. The pride of Upper Provence is this major attraction. Not only is this the most picturesque location nearby, but it is also the deepest canyon in all of Europe.

The Verdon Gorge has a length of nineteen kilometers, a width that ranges from almost two hundred to one and a half thousand meters, and a depth of seven hundred and one meters. These statistics may not come as a surprise to experienced climbers, but in France, the gorge holds the distinction of being the longest and deepest in the nation. The beauty of its slopes, which are covered in a dense growth of fresh herbs, can rival many of the most fascinating locations on Earth.

The Verdon Gorge is the result of a lot of hard work by nature. Travelers from all over the world are drawn to these locations by the river, the waters of which are painted an amazing emerald-blue color, delightful views of the gorge, and practically steep limestone cliffs. Due to its proximity to the French Riviera, both romantics and extreme tourists visit this location.

History

According to scientists, the Verdon Gorge first appeared between 250 and 350 million years ago. Millions of marine organisms lived in the area that is now known as Provence back then, which was located at the bottom of the sea. As the sea dried up over time, the invertebrate animals that lived there or more specifically, their shells formed enormous amounts of limestone.

Water completed the process of creating this area’s relief. Local limestone washed the river for many centuries. Its swift blue waters have carved out a picturesque gorge with a variety of strangely shaped caves.

The French region of Provence was submerged by the sea during the Triassic period, leaving behind thick layers of diverse limestone deposits. When the Jurassic period began a few million years later, the region was covered in a warm shallow sea that encouraged the growth of different coral species. The sea eventually reached the present-day location of the Alps, which were themselves built during the Tertiary period, and Basse Provence was raised during the Cretaceous period. Due to the extensive geological activity that resulted from this, many limestone deposits from the Jurassic period fractured, creating relief with valleys and other such attributes.

The Verdon Gorge can be traced back to this period. Large-scale glaciation, which turned lakes and water pockets into unstoppable rivers of ice at the beginning of the Quaternary period, reshaped the topography, scouring, and striating the landscape. Following this activity, river erosion continued, resulting in the formation of the current Gorge. The accumulated coral was removed from the Verdon river bed once more. Using a water delivery rate of close to 2000 to 3000 cubic meters, and limestone sediments in seconds.

The Town of Castellan

This charming town is a mandatory stop for anyone traveling to the Verdon Gorge. In this location, a picturesque church is perched atop a steep, high rock next to an old stone bridge that once crossed Verdon. If you plan to visit, there are some of the items a traveler must have. Honey, perfume, and grocery stores are just a few of the numerous stores. A lake named Castillon with rocky beaches and turquoise water are located five minutes from the town’s center.

Although the lake is lovely, there are no beaches on it. But here, you can take a relaxing nap while taking in the beautiful scenery and go boat fishing for two different types of fish. There is a boat station close to the lakeside community of Sain-Julien-du-Verdon where you can rent a boat or a catamaran. If you don’t already have the necessary fishing gear, you can also obtain it there. According to the locals, almost every type of fish found in the Verdon Gorge can be found here, including trout, carp, and even more than six additional species.