Verdon Regional Natural Park, Regional natural park in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France
Description
Verdon Regional Natural Park spreads across high plateaus, deep gorges, and several lakes positioned between the Alps and the Mediterranean coast. The terrain shifts between sheer rocky walls, flat uplands, and water surfaces that together create distinct natural habitats.
History
The park was established in 1997 to protect the natural landscape across 46 municipalities spanning two departments. Its land holds traces of Roman temples and prehistoric settlements that reveal human presence stretching back thousands of years.
Culture
Farmers across the region maintain centuries-old ways of working the land, particularly on the Valensole plateau where lavender and wheat grow in rolling fields. Their daily practices shape how the landscape looks and how villages remain connected to the seasons.
Practical
The area offers marked hiking trails, camping grounds, and several lakes for swimming and water sports throughout the year. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and bring layers, as mountain weather can change quickly without warning.
Did you know?
The area contains roughly one-third of all flowering plant species found in France, making it a remarkable location for botanical variety. This abundance arises from the different elevations and soil types that support different plants across the region.
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Verdon Gorge
11.9 km
Lake of Sainte-Croix
7.7 km
Sentier Martel
13.1 km
Cascade de Sillans
29.3 km
Lac d'Esparron
23.2 km
Ganagobie Abbey
31.9 km
Plan de Canjuers
14.7 km
Les Pénitents
29.6 km
Montagne de Lachens
36.1 km
Pont de l'Artuby
16.8 km
Château de Sauvan
38.8 km
Château de Beauregard
42.5 km
Point Sublime
14.5 km
Basses Gorges du Verdon
22.2 km
Musée de Préhistoire des Gorges du Verdon
20.4 km
Lac de Castillon
26 km
Pont d'Aiguines
3 km
Rhone American Cemetery and Memorial
37.9 km
Château de La Verdière
31.3 km
Pont de Sainte-Croix
12 km
Grottes troglodytiques de Villecroze
27.4 km
Château de Gréoux-les-Bains
28.4 km
Parc de centrales photovoltaïques de la Colle des Mées
27.4 km
Forcalquier Cathedral
38.6 km
Commanderie du Ruou
31.4 km
Lac de Quinson
21 km
Maison « Le Paraïs »
35.1 km
Pierre de la Fée
36.2 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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