Viewpoints
The grand canyon is first discovered from its viewpoints — those balconies suspended above the void, on its two legendary roads: the Route des Crêtes on the right bank and the Corniche Sublime on the left bank. Here are 43 viewpoints named and geolocated, road by road — where to stop, on which bank, what you can see.
Compulsory one-way between Jas d’Aire and La Maline, clockwise (signposted from La Palud-sur-Verdon).
From late March to 21 November. The middle section (Pas de Baou → Chalet de la Maline) closes in winter, from 22 November 2026 to 26 March 2027.
Tunnels: height limited to 3.6 m on the sides, 4.3 m in the centre. The loop is about 23 km and 14 viewpoints.
A small free car park at each viewpoint — they fill up fast in the middle of the day in summer. Arrive early.
Shuttles & car parks of the gorges → The Route des Crêtes on foot (hike) →
View over la boucle du Verdon.
Le balcon d’entrée du grand canyon, au-dessus du Couloir Samson où le Verdon s’engouffre entre les parois. Le belvédère le plus emblématique, côté Rougon.
La première grande vue sur l’entrée des gorges quand on arrive par l’ouest, avant La Palud-sur-Verdon.
Le secteur le plus haut de la Corniche Sublime, un vaste cirque rocheux dominant le canyon.
Le pont en arche qui enjambe l’Artuby au-dessus du vide — spot mythique de saut à l’élastique.
Au-dessus de l’embouchure du canyon dans le lac de Sainte-Croix — le fameux Pont du Galetas et ses pédalos turquoise.
View over les Basses Gorges / lac de Sainte-Croix.
View over les Basses Gorges / lac de Sainte-Croix.
View over les Basses Gorges / lac de Sainte-Croix.
View over les Basses Gorges / lac de Sainte-Croix.
View over les Basses Gorges / lac de Sainte-Croix.
The most iconic is the Point Sublime, at Rougon, which overlooks the entrance to the grand canyon above the Couloir Samson. On the left bank, the Balcons de la Mescla, on the Corniche Sublime, offer the most vertiginous view: the tight loop where the Verdon meets the Artuby. For a sweeping panorama, the Route des Crêtes strings together around fifteen viewpoints above the void.
These are the two great panoramic roads of the canyon, on opposite banks. The Route des Crêtes (D23/D952) runs along the right (north) bank, starting from La Palud-sur-Verdon: it is a loop that links the most viewpoints, closest to the void. The Corniche Sublime (D71) runs along the left (south) bank, on the Aiguines and Comps-sur-Artuby side, with the Balcons de la Mescla, the Artuby bridge and the col d’Illoire.
Yes. The section between Jas d’Aire and La Maline is one-way, clockwise (signposted from La Palud-sur-Verdon). The road is open from late March to 21 November; the middle section closes in winter (from 22 November 2026 to 26 March 2027). Watch the vehicle clearances in the tunnels (height 3.6 m on the sides, 4.3 m in the centre) and, in 2026, roadworks that close the one-way stretch on weekdays from 1 April to 6 May. Always check the conditions of the day before setting off.
Yes. The viewpoints of the Route des Crêtes and the Corniche Sublime, as well as the Point Sublime and the Galetas viewpoint, are accessible by car, with short stops. It is the easiest way to discover the grand canyon in a single day.