The turquoise colors of the Verdon river are as striking in real life than on the incredible photos you might have seen. And a popular activity is Verdon Gorge kayaking.

We had seen photos of the turquoise colors of the Verdon Gorge on photos, but we weren’t expecting the actual colors to be as stunning as what the photos led to assume.

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Lake St. Croix

Kayaking in the Verdon Gorge (Gorges du Verdon in French) is a well-known thing to do on Lake St. Croix in the Luberon region.

Indeed, the Verdon Gorge kayaking starts from the Lake St. Croix (Lac de Sainte Croix), the two sections “separated” by the Pont du Galetas bridge under which you row with the kayaks, paddles, and pedalos.

The lake is a great place for boating and swimming and is a popular summer destination. No swimmer is allowed after that bridge as you head towards the canyon.

Lake St. Croix Pont du Galetas

Verdon Gorge Kayaking: Our Experience

Kayaking in the Verdon Gorge (Gorges du Verdon in French) is a well-known thing to do on Lake St. Croix in the Luberon region.

The kayaking is moderately simple gratitude to the absence of flows. Watch for potential breezes in the afternoon that can make the trip somewhat harder as you paddle against the wind.

Besides enjoying the stunning turquoise colors, a small waterfall is an interesting feature. Many people would stop under the water for a refreshing though powerful shower.

Also pretty cool was a small rock formation that allowed us to sneak under like a former cave or water carving.

Waterfall

Small rock formations

Gorges du Verdon Kayak Rental

Kayaks can be leased right by the Lake Ste. Croix (Lac de Sainte-Croix). You rent them by the hour.

The place we rented our kayak offered more than 80 kayaks and boats, and another similar company had probably as many across the lake.

Lake St. Croix – Kayak rental

But it’s almost too popular as the place was packed with boats, kayaks, and canoes. Maybe a permit system or a quota per hour might be a good alternative. Fewer people at the same time would make for a better experience and limit human impact to the natural area, while still maintaining a flow of travelers that helps the local economy.

Crowded Canyon in the Summer

Such a wonderful place is surely not to be missed, but maybe exploring in the off-season, in late Spring or early Fall, might let you enjoy the amazing landscape while not having to push your way through dozens of other visitors.

Have you been to Provence? What was your experience there? Did you explore the area around Gorges du Verdon? Share your adventures with us, and make sure to leave a comment!

If you are looking for more Provence trip ideas, hiking in the Alps, check out our France travel blog posts on:

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