Les Basses Gorges du Verdon Hike
A circuit taking in beautiful views of the Verdon Gorge
A beautiful loop around the Gorges du Verdon finishing at a lovely Pizzeria for that special reward after a 4 hour hike.
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What to bring
This walk can be found on IGN map 3343 OT
What to see
Sights in Provence
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Musee Simon Segal Contemporary Art, Aups
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
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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Musee de Faykod (De Faykod Museum), Aups
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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Troglodyte Caves & Rocks, Cotignac
Towering an incredible 80 metres above ground this rock face is home to numerous crevices and cave dwellings.
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Occitane Museum, Manosque
Guided tours of the facilities via the stages of fabrication and an walk through the history of the brand.
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Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Graces, Cotignac
This chapel was originally built after a local woodsman saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary in the clouds above the site in 1519. The first stone for the building was laid a month after the vision.
Where to lunch
Restaurants in Provence
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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.
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Mickael Feval Restaurant
This elegant restaurant is a must-visit for any lovers of modern cuisine and cooking methods. They embrace local produce and evolve their dishes according to the seasons.
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La Cour d'Honneur Restaurant
Located right in the centre of Avignon on a well known shopping street is La Cour d'Honneur.
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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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Le Temp de Vivre Restaurant, Uchaux
Le Temps de Vivre is situated in the little hamlet of Les Farjons just down the road from Uchaux.
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La Vache a Carreaux Restaurant
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.
What to do
Things To Do in Provence
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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, 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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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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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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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
Cycling Hotels in Provence
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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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Hotel des Pins, Bedoin
Hotel des Pins has 25 rooms and suites, a restaurant, a terrace, and a garden.
Price: €1,498
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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.
Price: €1,617
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L'Escapade Hotel, Bedoin
Located in a charming small village, with free parking and bike storage.
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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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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.
Price: €979
Directions
Driving into Quinson from Montmeyan you will cross the Verdon and see a car park straight away on your left hand side, opposite the Pizzeria Chez Kinou. After parking your car go back over the bridge to the south bank of the Verdon and after a few meters you will see the path 50m on your right ( marked with a horizontal yellow line, PR).
You follow this path that leads you up some stairs built into the rock, over suspension bridges and offers great views of the Verdon. The path is not difficult but you must be vigilant and watch your step. There are wires that secure the path and it is not advisable for children without strong accompaniment. After skirting the Verdon for a while, sometimes on the rock face, and also in the woods along the old canal du Verdon you will come to a fork named 'La Draille Vaches'. Following the left fork continue uphill until you reach a tunnel with a small stone house located above the trail on the right. Take the tunnel and you will see a set of stairs. The path continues up the stairs but it is possible to explore the tunnels before heading back to the car park, caution is advised as they are not secured.
For the return, climb the metal stairs and follow the path that leads you under heavy vegetation, a cross is indicated with a cairn, at this point turn left and climb the steep path that leads to the Chapel Sainte Maxime. From here take the GR99 trail that leads back to the car park, the trail is marked with two white and red horizontal lines.