Lac de Sainte-Croix · Larid1804 · CC BY-SA 4.0Canoeing & kayaking · Lake Sainte-Croix
It’s one of the finest boat trips in France: from the Pont du Galetas beach, you pass under the bridge by canoe, kayak or electric boat and paddle up the entrance of the Grand Canyon du Verdon, between cliffs that close in around emerald-green water — as far as the yellow buoys, about 2 km upstream. Easy, family-friendly, as long as you set off in the morning.
The Pont du Galetas crosses the Verdon exactly where the river leaves the Grand Canyon to flow into Lake Sainte-Croix. From the beach, you launch and paddle upstream against the current: very quickly, the cliffs close in and you enter the canyon through its lower gateway. Navigation stops at a line of yellow buoys, about 2 km further up: beyond that is a protected natural area (for the Rhône apron, an endangered fish) where landing and paddling are forbidden. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours round trip, at an easy pace.
On the lake, only electric motors are allowed (petrol motors are banned): canoes, kayaks, pedal boats, paddleboards and small licence-free electric boats all share the same calm water. It’s an outing suitable for beginners and families — nothing like the sporting descent of the canyon further upstream.
Verdon Canoë (Aiguines, Galetas beach) — canoes and kayaks for 1 to 3 people; Kanojano and Aiguinautic (Aiguines) — canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and electric boats; pedal boats at Nounet, right by the bridge.
Base Nautique de l’Étoile (Moustiers-Sainte-Marie) — kayak, canoe, pedal boat and electric boat, with a snack bar.
Lac-Loc (Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon), Surf Center (Margaridon beach, Les Salles-sur-Verdon), Centre Nautique de Bauduen; Haute Provence Outdoor (based in Castellane) for inflatable canoes and paddleboards to take away.
2026 prices (for reference): at Verdon Canoë, at the Galetas, a solo kayak costs 25 € (2h), 33 € (3h) or 40 € (4h), a tandem kayak 30 €, 40 € or 50 €. Pedal boats and electric boats at other bases start from around 25 €/h and 40 €/h — indicative, to be confirmed on site (recorded in July 2026). Do you run a watersports base in the Verdon? List your business on LiveVerdon.
State of the Verdon (releases, weather, wind) → Safety in the Verdon →
Don’t confuse the two. The easy canoeing at the Galetas is the entrance of the Grand Canyon, right by the lake. The heart of the canyon’s whitewater (rafting, canyoning, aqua-hiking departing from Castellane) is a guided sporting activity, much further upstream. And the Basses Gorges are somewhere else entirely — downstream of the lake, near Quinson and Esparron.
Yes. You can rent a canoe, kayak, pedal boat or electric boat without a licence at the Galetas beach, then pass under the Pont du Galetas to paddle up the entrance of the Grand Canyon as far as the yellow buoys — about 2 km, or 1.5 to 2 hours round trip. Beyond the buoys is a protected natural area where navigation is forbidden.
As far as the yellow buoys placed by the Verdon Regional Nature Park, about 2 km upstream from the bridge. This limit protects the river ecosystem and the Rhône apron, an endangered fish species. Landing or paddling beyond it is forbidden.
Yes, the calm-water route is suitable for everyone. Life jackets are mandatory, and compulsory for any child under 12. The minimum age or weight varies by operator (for example, a minimum of 10 kg at the Base Nautique de l’Étoile, or age 6 and the ability to swim 25 m at Haute Provence Outdoor).
In the morning. The water is calm early on; a thermal wind picks up in the afternoon on Lake Sainte-Croix — great for sailing, but tiring and risky for the paddle back in a canoe. In summer, the Galetas car park also fills up by midday.
At Verdon Canoë (Galetas beach), 2026 posted prices: solo kayak €25 (2h), €33 (3h), €40 (4h); tandem kayak €30, €40, €50. Prices for pedal boats and electric boats at other bases are indicative — confirm on site.
No. From the Galetas you only paddle up the entrance of the canyon, as far as the buoys (about 2 km). The heart of the Grand Canyon, further upstream from Castellane, is explored by guided rafting, canyoning or aqua-hiking trips — a completely different activity.