GR4
A multi-day walk exploring the Verdon Gorge
A 5-7 day walk leaving near the coast and making its way up the Verdon Gorge through the heart of the Verdon natural park.
France has a well established network of long distance trails called GR's, Grand Randonnees. Covering the whole country they total a whopping 58,000km of trails, more than enough for one lifetime. GR routes follow many historical trails throughout Europe. Some following pilgrimage routes and others trade routes and have been maintained as official trails since the first one was born in 1842 in the forest of Fontainebleau.
The GR4 stretches the width of France from Grasse in the south east across to Royan, just north of Bordeaux. The full route can take up to two months to complete however the section running through the Gorges du Verdon can be done in 5 days.
Leaving Grasse, an idyllic and ancient town, the trail climbs into the mountains and heads north west towards the town of Castellane. From here you pick up the trail on the mighty Verdon as you follow its crystal clear waters west to Manosque. Regarded as the most sensational section of the GR4.
What to bring
The GR4 topoguide can be purchased from Amazon or from many outdoor shops locally.
What to see
Sights in Provence
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Gorges du Verdon
Located 11.0 km away
The French Grand Canyon, the Grand Canyon of Verdon, the Gorges du Verdon, by whatever name this natural phenomenon is referred to it will remain to the beholder as one of the most spectacular sites in Europe.
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Musee Simon Segal Contemporary Art, Aups
Located 24.6 km away
The museum groups 3 schools of painting - Toulon, Bourges and Paris - with over 280 works on show.
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Maison de la Truffe, Aups
Located 25.1 km away
The truffle has a long history here in Aups; for many years now they have been grown, harvested, retailed, shared and eaten.
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St Pancras Chapel, Digne-les-Bains
Located 26.3 km away
St. Pancras chapel was restored by a local team of volunterrs. It overlooks the town of Digne les Bains and offers a panoramic view of the various surrounding peaks.
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Musee de Faykod (De Faykod Museum), Aups
Located 26.5 km away
Some 50 white marble sculptures by Maria de Faykod, renowned sculptor with numerous existing works. She had the original idea to open a garden which exhibit some of her work to the public.
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Geoparc de Haute Provence, Digne les Bains
Located 28.8 km away
This unique natural area was designated as a 'Geoparc', the first of its kind, by UNESCO in 2000 and has since become the model for the development of Geoparks across the world.
Where to lunch
Restaurants in Provence
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Cote Sud Restaurant, Uchaux
The Cote Sud has a charming sophisticated interior and includes a lovely terrace where you can enjoy your food when the weather is warm enough.
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La Vache a Carreaux Restaurant
Located in Avignon
This small restaurant is on the Rue Peyrollerie, a winding alley just off the Place St Pierre. It is a great option for vegetarians, offering a wide variety of cheese dishes and salads but there are also fish dishes available.
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L'Autruche Restaurant
Small restaurant where you will never eat the same thing twice. Their menu is solely based on what good fresh ingredients the local market has to offer in the mornings.
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L'Epice & Love Restaurant
Located in Avignon
This is a popular place with both locals and travellers. It has a small cosy interior so if you want to dine there, best to get there earlier rather than later.
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L'Atelier de Jean-Luc Rabanel Restaurant
This wonderful contemporary-styled restaurant features dishes that you may never have suspected to have existed.
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Les Chenes Verts Restaurant, Tourtour
This Michelin starred restaurant is situated on the outskirts of Tourtour and specialise in truffle dishes.
What to do
Things To Do in Provence
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Aqualand Waterpark, Sainte Maxime
This is probably the most family orientated waterpark on the Cote d'Azur. With several friendly slides, a fun pool, food and drinks, ice creams, and shopping all at hand.
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Nyonsoleiado Waterpark, Nyons
Waterpark complex that contains a lagoon, 25m pool, whirlpool basin, waterslides for children and adults, cascades of water, rivers, paddling pools and much more.
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Aqualand Waterpark, St Cyr Sur Mer
Aqualand in St Cyr Sur Mer offer you 11 wicked slides in a great park environment with drinks, food, and shops for you to enjoy.
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Wave Island Waterpark, Monteux
This huge waterpark covers an area of 4.7 hectares and includes a surf simulator, waterslides and a river feature called river land.
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Domaine Le Sagittaire Waterpark, Nyons
In the depths of the Drôme countryside in the French Provence, this 5 Star Residential Campsite comes complete with an entirely heated Aquatic Complex, which is open to the public.
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Aqualand Waterpark, Frejus
With numerous slides, including the King Cobra - unique is western Europe - this is the largest waterpark on the Cote d'Azur! Inludes a rest area, show area, clockroom, fast food, grill and pizzeria, ice creams, drinks, and shop.
Where to stay
Hotels in Provence
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Villa Champ Signoret B&B, Malaucene
Located just 2 kilometres north of the village of Malaucene, this charming B&B has great views of the surrounding mountains and countryside.
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La Bastide des Bourguets B&B, Sault
Perched on a small cliff, this B&B enjoys great views of the village of Sault below.
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Mon Ventoux B&B, near Sault
This charming B&B has four individually decorated bedrooms, free WiFi and indoor storage for bikes.
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Le Guintrand Hotel, near Bedoin
This small hotel lies just to the east of Bedoin village in Sainte Colomb, within easy reach of Mont Ventoux.
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Domaine de Pierravon B&B, Bedoin
This fortified farmhouse has been converted into a lovely B&B not far from Bedoin village centre.
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La Garance Hotel, Bedoin
Set in a renovated farmhouse surrounded by vineyards and olive trees, the hotel has 16 bedrooms with a choice between queen-size or twin beds.