Depending on your time
How much time should you plan for the Verdon? It all depends on what you’re after. Here is what to see depending on the length of your stay — from a lightning day trip to a full week, without ever spending your time on the road.
In a single day, choose ONE mood rather than trying to skim everything. Canyon version: the Point Sublime, then the Route des Crêtes and its viewpoints. Water version: the Pont du Galetas by canoe and swimming at Lake Sainte-Croix. Either way, a full day and real memories.
Two days are enough to taste both faces of the Verdon: one day on the right bank (Point Sublime, Route des Crêtes, possibly the Blanc-Martel trail), one day at the lakes and Moustiers. This is the start of our full 3-day itinerary.
Enough time to experience it all: the two-bank circuit, a great hike (Blanc-Martel), a whitewater descent from Castellane, the plateau villages (Aups, Riez, Valensole lavender), prehistory at Quinson, and gentler days by the water. The Verdon, in depth.
Yes, provided you pick an angle: either the canyon from above (Point Sublime and Route des Crêtes, right bank), or the lakes (Pont du Galetas by canoe and swimming at Sainte-Croix). Trying to do both in one day — the two banks only meet at the ends — means spending your day in the car.
Two days for the essentials (canyon plus lakes), three days to cover both banks without rushing (see our dedicated itinerary), and a week to add hiking, whitewater, the plateau villages and prehistory.
The two-bank circuit, the Blanc-Martel trail, a rafting or canyoning descent, swimming and canoeing on the lakes, the perched villages (Moustiers, Aiguines), the Valensole plateau and its lavender in summer, the Musée de préhistoire de Quinson, and time to simply wander. Enough to fill seven days without repeating yourself.