Around 150km northwest of Nice, the Gorges du Verdon makes for magical change of scenery for visitors to the Cote d’Azur.
This stunning river canyon, carved by the Verdon River, and famed for its white-water rapids and dramatic cliffs, is a popular day trip excursion from Nice. There are a wide range of organised tours available that take you deep into the gorge where you can experience the region’s striking natural beauty up close. Among them is the Gorges du Verdon tour by Riviera Star Tours – and we’ve reviewed it for you below.
What does the tour include?
This full-day guided will take you out of Nice to one of the most striking regions of Provence. The trip is popular among visitors who want to see more than just the coastline of Riviera. Over the course of the day, you’ll go through the Gorges du Loup and make a stop at the Saut du Loup waterfall for pictures before proceeding into the French Alps to visit Castellane – a picturesque village with an impressive church on the top of the hill.
Next, the tour continues through the Verdon River, known for its vivid blue colour, to the Gorges du Verdon, one of the most beautiful canyons in Europe. Here, you’ll be able to enjoy the view of the river gorge and after that stop by the viewpoint overlooking Lake Sainte-Croix. There’ll also be a chance to visit Moustiers-Sainte-Marie – a medieval village famous for its pottery. During the summer period (mid-June-late July, weather permitting) you can also admire the area’s lavender fields. Hotel pickup and drop off, transportation by minivan, your driver-guide and admission to the waterfalls are all included in the tour price.
What can you expect from the guide?
The tour places an emphasis on having a driver-guide who can bring the landscapes, villages and local traditions to life while also handling the logistics of the day. Their role is essentially to be part guide and part driver, taking you along a scenic route from the coast into the mountains and ensuring you get to the best viewpoints along the way.
They’ll also be there to help the day run smoothly, advise on timings and adapt the experience where possible. This should be particularly useful in a region where the most memorable stops are spread across varied terrain and landscapes.
Is the itinerary flexible?
A certain amount of flexibility is built into the itinerary, mainly with respect to the latter part of the day. On the basis of weather conditions and the wishes of the group members, the driver-guide can arrange for some time at leisure at the lake instead of taking another walk in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie.
However, it should be noted that the tour will still be guided and will follow a specific itinerary, and therefore visitors can reliably anticipate the essential parts of the day’s tour to be based around visits to the Gorges du Loup, Castellane, Gorges du Verdon, Lake Sainte-Croix, and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie.
Who is this tour best suited to?
The excursion is ideal for tourists in Nice who are keen to visit the beautiful landscapes of Provence and the French Alps without having to drive a car and plan a route. It will be particularly rewarding for travellers who appreciate scenic drives, mountain villages, waterfalls and mesmerising views.
Summary
Overall, this tour is a convenient and scenic way to visit the Gorges du Verdon from Nice. Its biggest selling points are the varied itinerary, hotel pickup and drop-off, comfortable minivan transport and the chance to see several highlights in one day without having to navigate mountain roads independently.
It covers an impressive range of landscapes, from waterfalls and Alpine villages to canyon viewpoints, lavender fields and the turquoise waters of Lake Sainte-Croix. For anyone keen to discover a wilder and more rural side of southern France, we wouldn’t hesitate in recommending it.