Regalon gorge, Canyon and tourist attraction in Vaucluse, France

Regalon gorge is a narrow slot canyon cut into the Urgonian limestone of the Petit Luberon, at the eastern end of Cheval-Blanc near Mérindol. Its pale grey and tan walls, streaked with dark marks and green vegetation, close in above a shallow stream flowing over small stones and larger rocks. The gorge separates the Crau des Mayorques to the west from the Crau de Saint-Phalez to the east.

Water erosion carved this passage through limestone over millions of years, creating the deep vertical walls visible today. The geological process that shaped the gorge continues to influence the surrounding Luberon landscape.

The gorge lies within the Luberon national geological nature reserve, where collecting rocks and fossils is forbidden and entering the two caves is banned. Those caves, about 600 metres from the entrance, shelter the only remnants of sand left when the sea filled the canyon after 5.3 million years ago.

Access is from the D973 about 500 m past Logis-Neuf, then left toward the gorges; two car parks serve the site. Paths lined with pines and olive trees lead to the entrance at about 140 m altitude, and the route climbs to roughly 250 m at the upper end. Dogs, even on a leash, are forbidden. The gorge is often closed in summer because of fire risk, with frequent gendarmerie patrols, and access was barred from April 2014 to September 2015 after landslides.

Around 600 metres from the entrance, two small caves hold the only remnants of the sea that filled the canyon when Mediterranean levels rose from 5.3 million years ago: scraps of sand sheltered inside. Entering the caves is forbidden to protect the site's geodiversity.