Health & emergencies
Health in the Gorges du Verdon
The Verdon is a vast natural area, far from hospitals. There is no emergency department in the canyon: it’s best to know the right numbers and plan ahead. Here is the essential information — keep it close at hand before setting off on a hike or onto the water.
The numbers that matter
The go-to number: free, and it works even without a plan or credit if a SIM card is in the phone. Directs you to the right service.
Medical emergency, sudden illness, serious accident.
Rescue, accident, fire.
Police emergency line.
For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind or aphasic (SMS, chat, video). To reach it by SMS, you need an active SIM card and network coverage.
National service: the nearest open pharmacy (€0.35/min).
The nearest hospitals are in Digne-les-Bains, Manosque, Draguignan or Grasse depending on which side of the canyon you’re on: often an hour’s drive or more from the heart of the gorges. Mobile coverage is almost non-existent at the bottom of the canyon — always tell someone your route and carry your personal medication, water, and sun protection.
Medical hubs of the region
A few key points of reference among the main ones. Commune-by-commune detail (doctors, pharmacies, nurses, physiotherapists…) is in the health directory, drawn from the official Annuaire Santé, and on each destination page.
Ducélia Health Centre
Castellane — Chemin de la Recluse
General practitioners + visiting specialist consultations. The main medical hub of the Moyen-Verdon.
Pharmacie du Verdon
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie — Avenue de Lérins
The reference pharmacy for the western gateway to the canyon.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a hospital in the Gorges du Verdon?
No. No hospital is located within the gorges themselves. The nearest hospitals are in Digne-les-Bains, Manosque, Draguignan or Grasse depending on which side of the canyon you’re on — often an hour’s drive or more from the heart of the canyon. In an emergency, dial 15 or 112: the SAMU organises care, including by helicopter if necessary.
What number should I call in a medical emergency?
Dial 15 (SAMU) for a medical emergency, or 112 (the free European emergency number). 114 is meant for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind or aphasic: to reach it by SMS, you need an active SIM card and network coverage (source: info.urgence114.fr). Note: mobile coverage is almost non-existent at the bottom of the gorges — always tell someone your route before setting off.
Where can I find an on-duty pharmacy in the Verdon?
Dial 3237 (national service, €0.35/min): it tells you the nearest open duty pharmacy. Pharmacies in the area are found notably in Castellane, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie (Pharmacie du Verdon, 04 92 74 60 61), Gréoux-les-Bains, Aups and Saint-André-les-Alpes.
Is there a doctor in Castellane?
Yes. The Ducélia multi-disciplinary health centre (Chemin de la Recluse, 04 92 83 77 40) brings together general practitioners and hosts visiting specialists. It is the main medical hub of the Moyen-Verdon. Outside opening hours, call 15 for the on-call doctor.
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.
- Agence régionale de santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azurpaca.ars.sante.fr
Regional health authority: monitoring of bathing waters, organisation of healthcare provision and out-of-hours care in the region.
1 of these 1 links responded during our last automated check, on 2026-10-02. A broken link is removed, never left in place.