Verdon Gorge

The Verdon Gorge is a massive river canyon located in southeastern France. It sits within the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. The gorge is approximately 25 km long. It reaches depths of up to 700 metres.

The Verdon River flows through this deep limestone ravine. The river is famous for its striking turquoise-green color. This hue comes from minerals like rock flour suspended in the water. The canyon is quite narrow at the river level. It measures between 6 and 100 metres wide there. However, at the summits, the width increases to between 200 and 1500 metres. Some people compare its scale to the Grand Canyon in the United States.

The geological formation of the gorge took millions of years. During the Triassic period, the Provence area subsided. This caused the region to be covered by the sea. This sea left behind thick layers of limestone deposits. Later, during the Jurassic period, a warm, shallow sea covered the area again. This environment allowed various corals to grow on the ocean floor. During the Cretaceous period, the land of Basse Provence was raised. The sea reached the current location of the Alps. These mountains were erected during the tertiary era.

This intense geological activity fractured the Jurassic limestone deposits. This created a relief of valleys and other features.

Large-scale glaciation during the Quaternary period further shaped the landscape. These massive rivers of ice remodeled the topography. They scoured and striated the ground. After the ice activity ended, river erosion continued to work. The Verdon River carved the gorge into its current shape. The riverbed was scoured a second time. This happened as the river moved massive amounts of sediment. At times, the water delivery rate reached 2000 to 3000 cubic metres per second. This powerful flow removed accumulated coral and limestone.

Human discovery of the gorge happened in stages. Written descriptions of the area appeared in 1782 and 1804. By the second half of the 19th century, French tourist guides featured it. However, the gorge remained largely unknown outside of France until 1906. In 1905, an explorer named Édouard-Alfred Martel visited the site. He was working for the Southeast Electricity Company at the time. He conducted precise geological surveys of the river. In August 1905, Martel led a large expedition. His team included Armand Janet, Isidore Blanc, and several others. They successfully reached the Pas de Galetas. This completed the first full expedition of the canyon. Later, in 1928, Robert de Joly became the first person to cross the entire gorge.

The gorge is divided into three distinct geographical parts. The first section is called the "Prégorges," or pre-gorge. This area runs from Castellane to Pont de Soleils. The second part is the deepest section of the gorge. It stretches from Pont de Soleils to l'Imbut. The third part is the Canyon itself. This section runs from l'Imbut to the Pont du Galetas.

One notable feature is the Imbut, also known as Embut or Embucq. In this area, the Verdon River disappears beneath huge rock structures. It then re-emerges above the ground. Another unique area is called the Styx du Verdon. This is a sub-canyon located within the larger gorge.

Human activity has significantly changed the river's flow. Between 1929 and 1975, five dams were built on the Verdon. These dams are located between Castellane and Gréoux-les-Bains. They create several large reservoirs. These include Lac de Castillon and Lac de Sainte-Croix.

The construction of the Sainte-Croix dam had a major impact on local residents. The village of Les Salles-sur-Verdon sat on the river plain. To create the reservoir, the village was destroyed in 1973. The settlement was reconstructed higher up the valley. Today, it is known as the youngest village in France.

Today, the Verdon Gorge is a major destination for many different sports. It is a world-class location for multi-pitch rock climbing. There are more than 1,500 climbing routes available. These routes vary in length from 20 metres to over 400 metres.

Many tourists also visit to hike the scenic trails. One famous path is the Sentier de Martel. This trail was laid out in 1928 by the Touring Club de France. Other popular activities include canoeing, rafting, and paragliding. Fishermen also visit the area for fly fishing. However, the environment faces challenges. During the 2022 European drought, water levels became very low. In some parts, the river dried up completely.