The Verdon off-season

From December to February, the Verdon is at rest: the Grand Canyon becomes wild and deserted, the villages are quiet and restaurants are often closed. Winter happens in the Haut-Verdon, with alpine skiing at La Foux d’Allos and Le Seignus, and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at La Colle-Saint-Michel and Ratery 1700. The villages, the viewpoints you can reach by an open road and the low-altitude trails remain accessible, once you have checked the weather and the state of the roads.

Only in part. The Route des Crêtes (D23) is closed in winter, from the 4th Friday of November to the 4th Friday of March, according to Verdon Tourisme. The villages, the viewpoints you can reach by an open road and the low-altitude trails, on the other hand, remain accessible, with care depending on the weather.

The Route des Crêtes (D23), from the 4th Friday of November to the 4th Friday of March, according to Verdon Tourisme. The Haut-Verdon mountain passes (Allos, Cayolle, Champs) close under snow: when they open depends on snow cover. Always check the state of the roads on the day.

Rarely. For canoes, kayaks and electric boats on the lakes, most rental outlets only open from April to September. Rafting and canyoning are summer activities that stop in winter.

At La Foux d’Allos, in the Haut-Verdon, about 65 km and 1 h 15 min by road from Castellane. The resort, at an altitude of 1,800 m, is part of the Espace Lumière ski area, shared with Pra-Loup: 230 km of pistes between 1,500 and 2,600 m, served by 35 lifts. The adult day pass is listed at €51 for the 2026-2027 season; the small resort of Le Seignus lists its own at €35. The season runs from December to early April, snow permitting.

At La Colle-Saint-Michel, between 1,430 and 1,700 m: 57 km of cross-country trails and 11 km of snowshoe trails. And at Ratery 1700, at Colmars-les-Alpes: 20 km of cross-country trails, snowshoe routes, a sledging run, laser biathlon and equipment hire on site.

Only until 5 December. The 2026 thermal season runs from 3 March to 5 December, Monday to Saturday: the baths are closed in the depths of winter.

Yes, for the peace and quiet: the crowds have gone and the colours turn warmer. The water in the lakes, however, cools quickly after September, and high-altitude sites close gradually from late October.