We visited here a few years ago and drove around the top but my son has been told by a friend that you can hire boats and swim in the gorge. Has anyone done this? What's it like, how much does it cost and any other tips will be appreciated.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
If you go to the Lac de St Croix, at the bottom, just after the bridge across, you can hire boats and pedaloes, and go back up the Gorge for a few kilometres. There are beaches there, too, where you can picnic. We've done it twice. I can't remember the cost, but it wouldn't have been extortionate or we wouldn't have done it! My OH's Seiko watch is at the bottom, somewhere, where he fell in, off the pedalo, and it came off his wrist!
Set off early in the morning, to beat the crowds, and don't do the pedalo/boat thing at lunchtime if it's a sunny day - it can get very hot. It can also be quite breezy, though, when the wind blows down the Gorge.
I took my wife there as I wanted to show her where I did my national service (Canjuers) and thought We might as well push to the gorges.
Then at the Lac de St Croix we hired a Pedalo for an hour and went into the canyon.
My wife still rates that afternoon as one of the best thing she's done.
Be aware that at popular times, it can get very crowded and it can be hard to get hold of a hire kayak/pedalo..And the river in the canyon is quite narrow so at these times it makes for quite a bit of traffic. If you find your self in tha situation, try and go as far up river as you can as most people don't go all that far...
As for the heat, a swim in there will quickly cool you down cos' the water is more often than not bloody freezing!
We passed through the Gorge du Verdon (east to west)as it had been recommended as a great sight (no-one mentioned the kayaking).
We were pleased that we saw it but it was quite busy at the 'belvedere' viewing points and also we thought that the cost of the canoe trips was extortionate (45 euro per person for 2 - 3 hours. That's close on £80 for two people and you can buy a brand-new canoe for £900 or thereabouts, so 10% of the new cost for an afternoon's hire is not on for us). That was at Castellane - maybe it's cheaper elsewhere in the Gorges.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Just to get an idea of the scale of the place, we were based in Castellane ( great little town and ideal base) Drove west along the gorges to Moustiers Ste Marie for late lunch. Stopped at Lac de St Croix for a couple of hours and drove back along the other side of the gorges via Trigance. Fantastic area, we also stopped somehere near Pt Sublime and walked down to the river for a swim and watched eagles soaring. That was a long day out though with a lot of driving on very bendy roads. brilliant!
The area is very popular with Italian and German motorcyclists - don't worry when they stick their right leg out at you when passing, I think it was a complement on our road manners!
that kayak price must have been for having some guide with you. At the lake, you get charged for the boat/pedalo per period of time, not per person... And the prices quoted do seem high, although it is a popular tourist activity so they do try to make the most of it..
johnnyhamster,
"don't worry when they stick their right leg out at you when passing, I think it was a complement on our road manners!"
Yep, that's the continetal bikers way of saying thank you..
We've also been twice and its our most favourite day of all ever. Can't remember the exact price but having booked an hour the first year, we booked 2 hours the second so that we could go further up the gorge - its well worth the money and I can't remember thinking twice!!! You'll love it - as for the water - it is the clearest, cleanest and purest water I've ever been in. Yes - it may be a bit strange/cool/scary to start with but my daughter and I swam all the way back last year and would have regretted never experiencing it.
Go for it is my advice - you'll regret it if you don't and its a long way back the next day. Think of it as being cheaper than a night at the movies at home!!
The 45 euros per person for canoeing is actually for white water rafting from Castellane. Twice a week (Tuesday and Friday) EDF open the sluices at the Lac de Chaudanne hydro power station which creates the white water from Castellane towards Lac de St Croix. The pedaloes and canoes on either the Lac de St Croix or the Lac de Castillon are reasonably priced and similar to most places in France.
The white water subsides by the time it travels to the Lac de St Croix and doesn't impact the canoeing in that lake. We found the water very warm in both lakes (August) but it does get cold where the water is deep.
If you plan to swim in the gorge you will need to make sure you are clear of the barrages in case they start generating electricity. Normally, other than Tuesday and Fridays, you will see plenty of people swimming/playing in the river.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Gorge du Verdon
