Verdon (river)

The Verdon is a 166 km long river in south-eastern France, left tributary of the Durance. Its source is at an altitude of 2819 m, in the south-western Alps (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence), between the col d'Allos and the Trois Eveches mountain, south of Barcelonnette. It flows south-west through the following départements and towns:

  • Alpes-de-Haute-Provence: Allos, Colmars, Saint-André-les-Alpes, Castellane
  • Var: Vinon-sur-Verdon

The Verdon flows through several artificial lakes, before flowing into the river Durance near Vinon-sur-Verdon, south of Manosque. The Verdon is best known for its impressive canyon: the Verdon Gorge. This limestone canyon, also called the 'Grand Canyon of Verdon', 20 kilometres in length and more than 300 metres deep, is a popular climbing and sight-seeing area. The name comes from the green appearance of the waters of the river, in the canyon.