Frequently Asked Questions

From the tourist office, go up the right sidewalk for 100 m, you will see the large sign announcing the start of the Rock Trail. It takes around 45 minutes on a leisurely walk to reach the chapel. At the top you have an 18o degree panorama. To go back down, it is possible to detour via the ruins of Petra Castellana (10 min visit) and take the path on the left which arrives behind the Sacré-Cœur church.

It has been open again since the beginning of July! After a year and a half of renovation work, it is like new. Visitable every day!

The main attractions to do in the Verdon gorges are:

• The Route des Crêtes (by car or electric bike), 23 km road with a total of 15 viewpoints which offer a view of the entire Canyon, on this same road, it is possible to observe vultures, wild goats , thrill seekers (highline, pendulum jump, base jump, etc.)
• It is possible to do the Blanc Martel hike (16km – departure Chalet de la Maline – arrival Couloir Samson or Point Sublime – 5h30 to 6h journey – shuttle reservation required on shuttle.parcduverdon.fr, in summer season) otherwise see with a taxi to leave your car at the arrival point and be transported to the departure point).
• Water activities: Aqua hiking, kayaking, hydrospeed rafting
• Climbing and via cordata.

These latter activities must be supervised by professionals.

To go to the Gorges du Verdon from Castellane, it will be in the direction of Palud-sur-Verdon, road D 952, allow around 45 minutes by car.

1. Swimming in the Verdon is prohibited due to the possible risk of rising water levels, siphoning in certain places and protected species in its bed.

Lake Castillon is the most suitable place for swimming, especially for young people with a supervised swimming area in the summer season.

Lake Castillon is 10 minutes by car, 30 minutes by bike or 1h30 on foot from Castellane. You will find Le Sirocco at the Cheiron nautical base where you can rent many types of boats as well as beaches and a supervised swimming area in summer.

• The climb to the chapel, again and again, we love our chapel! 1h30 round trip without too much elevation change, nothing better to earn an ice cream on the way back down!
• Then depending on the age of the children you can book a day with one of our white water activity providers (from around 6 years old depending on the child's size and swimming skills).
• We also have several small hikes less than 15 minutes by car (siréniens trail at Col des Lecques or Hameau de ville towards Demandolx)
• You can also go swimming with your family at Lac de Castillon and why not rent a boat there.
• For little sports enthusiasts, a treetop adventure park is also located at the exit of Castellane.
• And for the more creative, creation workshops are in place at the Maison Nature et Patrimoine on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• And finally, for fans of our furry and feathered friends, there is a goat farm that can be visited near Castellane, outings are also organized to observe vultures and you will also find a sheepfold (small animal park) near Rougon.

From Castellane, several hikes are accessible directly from the village,
the unmissable is the family hike to the Notre-Dame du Roc chapel: 2km, 180m difference in altitude, semi-shaded.

Lake Castillon is also accessible from the village, 1h30 to reach it from the Maison de Product de Pays, easy path only the last 200m are on the road, but the swim at the end of the route is worth it!

The summits of Robion and Destourbes also start from Castellane at the municipal swimming pool, for the 1st and almost opposite the old bridge for the 2nd. Day hikes with approximately 850 and 1000 m of altitude difference, they will delight the most sporty.
We remind you that we must respect our beautiful nature and not leave waste or dog droppings.

• The Chapel, again and again, is worth a look as they say, especially for the view that surrounds it.
• You can also take a tour of the town. To help you get a little idea of ​​the history of our village, there is the route of the silhouettes which mark the old center (explanatory panel in French and English.)
• Rue du Mitan, a pedestrian shopping street, we like to stroll there, if it's hot you'll find shade and great ice creams there!
• On Wednesdays and Saturday mornings, we have the market on Place Marcel Sauvaire, and every day you can go for a walk at the Maison de Produits de Pays where you will find a whole bunch of delicious local products.
• Don't hesitate to stroll on our two bridges which span the Verdon.

Wednesdays and Saturday mornings Place Marcel Sauvaire. And during the summer, on Monday mornings you will find the flavors market on this same square. Something to delight your taste buds.

No, we do not have night markets in Castellane, but the traders on rue du Mitan organize traders' nights on Tuesdays in July, the shops of which are open until 23 p.m. and with a little entertainment.

In principle, in season the water release days are Tuesdays and Fridays. However, it is not impossible that there will be flow rate modifications according to EDF needs.

The flow of the Verdon is variable depending on the days of EDF water releases.
On the days of water release, the flow of the Verdon can range from 9 to 20m3/s, on other days the flow is 1,5m3/s in high season and 3m3/s in low season (April to June and September). In winter, flow rates vary.

A Webcam was installed under the Roc bridge allowing the flow of the Verdon to be seen in real time.

Yes, it is possible to fish in the Verdon, you must have a fishing license, this can be issued in our office (payment in credit card, check, cash). If you need specific equipment for fishing, Castellane tobacco is your ally!

To go see the lavender fields, we advise you to go to the Valensole and Riez plateaus between mid-June and the end of July. The harvest begins depending on the sunshine and heat. Be careful, you must respect these fields which are the fruit of laborious work!

No, sorry but we have neither a coin nor a medal bearing the image of the village of Castellane