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Safety & regulations

Safety in the Gorges du Verdon

The Verdon is a managed river: five EDF dams regulate its course, and a peaceful bed can become a torrent in a matter of minutes. Here is the number-one danger, the numbers that matter and the Park’s regulations — so you can explore the gorge knowing what the professional guides already know.

EDF water releases — the number-one risk on the river

The Chaudanne dam, just downstream of Castellane, regulates the flow of the whole white-water section down to the entrance of Lake Sainte-Croix. When it runs its turbines or releases water, the flow can rise very fast and with no visible warning — from around 0 to 40 m³/s in a few minutes. This is the first danger for anyone in the river bed: swimming, walking on the gravel banks, picnicking, unguided aqua-hiking.

In July and August, releases generally take place on Tuesdays and Fridays; in spring and September they are more irregular, announced by EDF the day before. According to EDF, the flow is never increased during the day for safety reasons, but significant releases can occur at night — yellow signs along the banks advise staying on the shore, with red buoys at sensitive points.

Never enter the bed of the Verdon without checking the day’s schedule: mariviereetmoi.edf.fr (EDF Hydro’s official tool) or with a Castellane rafting operator, who receives the flow-information agreement. For any guided descent, choose a qualified professional — they adjust the outing to how the dam is running.

Rescue & network

  • 112 — the European emergency number, reachable even without your operator’s network or a SIM card. The thing to do in any situation.
  • 114 — by SMS only (no-signal area, deaf or hard-of-hearing people).
  • 15 ambulance (SAMU) · 18 fire brigade · 17 police (gendarmerie) — alternatives to 112 if you prefer to call the right service directly.
  • PGHM Jausiers (high-mountain gendarmerie rescue unit, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence) — 04 92 81 07 60. In an emergency, dial 112 first: it will call out the PGHM if needed.

Mobile coverage is almost non-existent at the bottom of the gorge (the Blanc-Martel area) — tell someone your route before setting off and carry a power bank.

Swimming

Banned in the river by municipal by-law at Aiguines, Castellane, Rougon and La Palud-sur-Verdon — the risk of a surge from EDF releases makes the bed dangerous even in calm weather.

Allowed and supervised in summer on Lake Sainte-Croix (Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon, Bauduen, Les Salles-sur-Verdon, the Galetas) and on Lake Castillon (3 beaches).

Cliff jumping is banned (fatal accidents happen regularly). A buoyancy aid is compulsory for canoeing/kayaking/paddleboarding, and for any child under 12.

Heatwave & fire

Each summer (generally late June to mid-September), a prefectural order may ban access to the forest massifs of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence according to 5 risk levels, up to Black (access and works banned everywhere). The day’s map is published the evening before, around 6 pm.

The Var (83), on the left bank of the canyon, has its own system — remember to check both departments before setting off.

Smoking or lighting a fire in a banned area: €135 fine.

Today’s fire-risk map →

Regulations of the Verdon Regional Nature Park

The Verdon is a protected natural area. These rules, restated by the Park rangers, save you the fine — and, above all, preserve what makes the site so valuable.

Bivouac

Tolerated more than an hour’s walk from a road, outside regulated areas — a simple tent pitched in the evening and taken down in the morning. Elsewhere, the owner’s permission is required.

Wild camping

Banned in any form (a pitched tent, caravanning, a motorhome) on the lakeshores and in the gorge. Fine: €135.

Fire

Banned in all natural areas — cigarettes, campfires, barbecues. Fine: €135.

Foraging

Banned without the owner’s permission; many wild species are protected. Wild lavender is an agricultural crop. Extracting fossils is banned.

Drones

Regulated, not banned everywhere: the Park publishes a dedicated guide. Firmly closed zones: aerodromes, the surroundings of the 5 dams, the CEA Cadarache site, bird-nesting areas (mid-December to late August); night flying is banned.

Climbing & raptors

The Verdon is home to protected raptors (vultures). Nesting periods, signposted at the foot of the routes, close certain climbing sectors — to be respected without exception.

Dogs

On a lead, especially near flocks guarded by patous. Banned on the Blanc-Martel trail.

Highline

By permit only, to be requested from the La Palud-sur-Verdon town hall.

Frequently asked questions

Can you swim in the Gorges du Verdon?

No, not in the river: swimming is banned by municipal by-law at Aiguines, Castellane, Rougon and La Palud-sur-Verdon, because of the risk of a surge linked to EDF water releases. It is, however, allowed and supervised in summer on Lake Sainte-Croix (the beaches of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon, Bauduen, Les Salles-sur-Verdon and the Galetas) and on Lake Castillon.

When do the water releases from the Chaudanne dam take place?

Generally on Tuesdays and Fridays in July and August. In spring and September they are more irregular and announced by EDF the day before. The flow can go from near zero to 40 m³/s in a few minutes: never rely on a fixed day, check the current schedule.

Where can you check the EDF water-release times live?

On mariviereetmoi.edf.fr (EDF Hydro’s official tool) and with the Castellane rafting operators, who receive the flow-information agreement and adjust their outings accordingly.

Is bivouacking allowed in the Verdon Regional Nature Park?

It is tolerated more than an hour’s walk from a road, outside regulated areas (a simple tent, pitched in the evening and taken down in the morning — no motorhome or fitted-out campervan). Wild camping in any other form is banned on the lakeshores and in the gorge, with a €135 fine.

What should you do in an emergency in the Gorges du Verdon?

Dial 112, the European emergency number — it works even without your operator’s network or a SIM card. 114 is for SMS only (no-signal area, deaf or hard-of-hearing people). Mobile coverage is almost non-existent at the bottom of the gorge (the Blanc-Martel area): always tell someone your route before setting off.

Can you light a fire or camp wild in the Verdon?

No. Fire and barbecues are banned in all the Park’s natural areas, including carelessly discarded cigarettes — €135 fine. Wild camping (a pitched tent, caravanning, a motorhome) is likewise banned on the lakeshores and in the gorge.