Welcome to the Park of the Week Newsletter for November 23, 2023. This week’s park features the largest canyon in Europe.
Verdon Natural Regional Park
Location
Verdon River, Southeastern France
Claim to fame
The largest canyon in Europe, the Gorges du Verdon is 36 km (22 miles) long with walls climbing 700 meters (2300 feet). The gorge attracts 1.5 million tourists a year with its turquoise blue waters and stunning scenery.
The gorge was carved by the Verdon River, a stretch of which is now protected by the Verdon Natural Regional Park. The park protects the region’s natural features and biodiversity as well as its culture and heritage.
Reason to visit
Several hydroelectrical dams along the Verdon River have created reservoirs, like Lake Sainte-Croix, an azure sheet of nearly 5,500 acres of placid water. The lake is a favorite spot for kayaking and other water activities.
The Gorges du Verdon itself is a popular spot for climbers, with over 900 routes to scale its walls. The one-way 16 km (10 mile) Blanc-Martel trail takes visitors into the heart of the canyon and is accessible via shuttle.
And for those with less time or mobility, the gorge, lake, and other sights in the park can be viewed from a scenic drive, which offers stunning views of its blue waters, historic villages, and epic cliffs.
Wild Fact
The bright color of the Verdon River’s water stems from its glacial origins and the suspended minerals it carries. The river pours out of the Alps, which are to the north.
The park is also home to several reintroduced species of wildlife, like the European Black Vulture. Vultures were once extirpated in the region, but recent efforts have brought local populations back into the hundreds. Today you can once again view these raptors soaring above the canyon walls of the Gorges du Verdon.
Want to learn more about Verdon Natural Regional Park? Visit the park’s website here.
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