Forbidden
The 5 EDF dams
Surroundings forbidden, signposted: Castillon, Chaudanne, Sainte-Croix, Quinson and Gréoux.
Regulations · Recreational drone
Drone in the Gorges du Verdon
The Verdon is every drone pilot’s dream — and it’s precisely one of the most regulated skies in Provence. There is no single blanket ban across the whole territory, but between military zones, dams, reserves and vulture cliffs, a large part of the gorges is either forbidden or heavily restricted. Here is the regulation, zone by zone, and the reflexes to have before you take off.
In brief: flying is tightly regulated, not free.
Before taking off in the Verdon, three reflexes: check the Géoportail map at the precise location, avoid cliffs during the nesting season (mid-December to late August), and register on AlphaTango if your drone carries a camera or weighs more than 250 g.
The no-fly zones
The Verdon Regional Nature Park publishes a drone flight guide. No unauthorised aircraft may fly over these areas:
Forbidden
The 3 aerodromes
Surroundings forbidden: Puimoisson, Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon and Vinon-sur-Verdon.
Forbidden
The Canjuers military camp
A vast area in the south-east of the territory — flying over it is completely forbidden.
Forbidden
The CEA Cadarache / ITER site
A sensitive industrial site on the edge of the Park — flying over it is forbidden.
Forbidden
The Saint-Maurin nature reserve
At La Palud-sur-Verdon — flying over it is forbidden, to avoid disturbing wildlife.
50 m ceiling over most of the Park (VOLTAC zone).
The territory lies largely within a low-altitude tactical flight zone used by Defence helicopters. On weekdays, flying is permitted up to a maximum of 50 m above ground level (not 120 m). This limit is not active at weekends and on public holidays — but all the other restrictions remain in force.
Cliffs and crests closed during the nesting season.
To protect nesting raptors — griffon vultures, eagles — the Park closes to overflight: the crests and cliffs (pink zones) from mid-December to late August, and the forested and cultivated areas (blue zones) from mid-March to late August. This is the period when almost the entire spectacular canyon is affected.
National rules (everywhere, in addition)
Recreational drones fall under the “open category”. These rules apply in the Verdon as everywhere else, in addition to the local restrictions above.
120 m maximum
Flight height capped at 120 m above ground level nationally — but often lowered in the Verdon (see the VOLTAC zone below).
Line of sight, and daytime only
The drone must remain visible to the naked eye. Night flying is forbidden, even with position lights.
Never over people
No flying over people or gatherings, nor over public spaces within built-up areas.
Registration + training
As soon as a drone weighs more than 250 g or carries a camera: the operator must register on AlphaTango (the “FRA…” number must be affixed to the aircraft) and complete online training (a 40-question exam).
Electronic identification
Mandatory for any drone over 800 g.
Respect for privacy
Do not publish images in which people are recognisable without their consent.
Before you take off: the checklist
- Check the precise spot on the Géoportail “Restrictions UAS” map (red = forbidden, yellow/pink = height limited).
- Cross-check with the Verdon Park’s sensitive-zones map (nesting, reserves).
- Register on AlphaTango if the drone carries a camera or weighs more than 250 g, and complete the online training.
- Stay clear of forbidden zones: dams, aerodromes, Canjuers, CEA Cadarache, the Saint-Maurin reserve.
- Respect the 50 m ceiling on weekdays (VOLTAC zone) and the national rules (line of sight, daytime, never over people).
- Check with the town hall for any local by-laws (beaches, villages, events).
Official links: Verdon Park drone guide · Géoportail restrictions map · flight rules (service-public.fr).
What we cannot state on your behalf
- Municipal by-laws commune by commune (summer beaches, village centres, sites, events) are not catalogued here: check with the town hall (Castellane, La Palud-sur-Verdon, Rougon, Aiguines, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon…).
- The Géoportail map does not show temporary restrictions (NOTAM, the day’s regulated zones) or every local by-law: check these separately.
- National regulations changed on 1 January 2026 (European framework, end of the old scenarios): mass thresholds and training arrangements may evolve — reconfirm on service-public.fr before you fly.
Frequently asked questions
Can you film the Gorges du Verdon with a drone?
There is no single ban covering the whole territory, but the rules are very strict. The cliffs and crests are closed during the raptor nesting season (mid-December to late August), the Saint-Maurin nature reserve is forbidden, a military zone (VOLTAC) limits flight to 50 m above ground level over most of the Park on weekdays, and the surroundings of the 5 dams, the 3 aerodromes, the Canjuers camp and the CEA Cadarache are forbidden. In practice, a large part of the gorges is either forbidden or heavily restricted.
Do you need to register and train for a small drone with a camera?
Yes. As soon as a drone carries a camera (a personal-data sensor) or weighs more than 250 g, the operator must register on AlphaTango (the DGAC’s portal), and complete the online training — a 40-question exam with 75% correct answers required. The “FRA…” number you receive must be affixed to the aircraft.
What is the maximum height allowed above the Verdon?
120 m above ground level nationally. But in the Verdon, the VOLTAC military zone lowers this limit to 50 m above ground level over most of the territory on weekdays (it is not active at weekends and on public holidays), and some zones are completely forbidden. Always check the allowed height on the Géoportail map at the precise spot.
Can you fly near the vulture cliffs of Rougon?
Not during nesting. The crests and cliffs (shown in pink on the Park’s map) are sensitive from mid-December to late August and must not be overflown, to protect nesting raptors — griffon vultures, eagles. The LPO points out that the Verdon’s vultures are very sensitive to disturbance at their breeding sites.
Where can you officially check before taking off?
Three reflexes: the Géoportail “Restrictions UAS” map (national), the Verdon Regional Nature Park’s sensitive-zones map (nesting, reserves), and the town hall for local by-laws. Note: temporary restrictions (NOTAM) and some local by-laws do not appear on the Géoportail.
Does a recreational drone require a step with the prefecture?
For recreational use that stays within the open category, no individual declaration is required. A prior declaration to the prefecture concerns flights in populated areas (professional use, specific category). The prefect may forbid or restrict a flight for reasons of public order or safety.
Check for yourself
The external sources this page relies on, one click away.We would rather you be able to contradict us than ask you to take our word for it.
- service-public.fr — site officiel de l'administration françaiseservice-public.gouv.fr
Référence officielle des règles applicables aux particuliers, dont l'usage des drones de loisir et les démarches associées.
- Géoportail — portail national de la connaissance du territoire (IGN)geoportail.gouv.fr
Cartographie officielle de l'IGN, dont la couche des restrictions de vol pour les drones de loisir.
- Parc naturel régional du Verdonparcduverdon.fr
L'autorité de gestion du territoire : réglementation par milieu (terrestre, aquatique, vertical), bivouac et camping, feu, drone, conseils des écogardes.
3 of these 3 links responded during our last automated check, on 2026-08-17. A broken link is removed, never left in place.