Visit the Gorges du Verdon with your dog
Do you want to visit the villages of Verdon with your dog? What activities and water sports can you practice with your dog in Verdon? Is it possible to discover the crest route or even a waterfall with your dog in the Verdon? In this article, Odelys and her dog Olympe answer these questions!
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Hello Wouafer's! Do you want to discover a fresh corner or go on magnificent hikes with your dog? The Verdon is made for you! The Gorges du Verdon are located in Alpes de Haute Provence in the region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, it is the largest and deepest canyon in Europe. Too wow, isn't it? Of course, it is a breathtaking place with magnificent landscapes. In short, the perfect place for lovers of nature and the great outdoors. It is also the perfect place for canine water sports fans. You can paddle with your dog, canoe with your dog, pedal boat with your dog or even rent a boat without a license for a short trip with your dog.
Today, let's follow our dog-reporter Odelys who comes back from a stay in the Gorges du Verdon with his dog. She tells us about her stay in detail and shares her good dog-friendly tips in the Gorges du Verdon.
Odelys, I'll let you speak, tell us all about your trip to the Verdon Gorges with your dog! I am convinced that you will make more than one Wouafer's want to plan their next vacation in the Gorges du Verdon. It's a destination Too W'ouf, is not it?
Hello Wouafer's, today we are actually going to tell you about our journey last September in the Gorges du Verdon with our dog, our samoyed Olympus. September is the right time for us to avoid mass tourism and the heat for the well-being of Olympus. At that time, our second dog, Freyja was not yet with us.
Visit the villages of the Verdon with your dog
- The small spa town of Gréoux-les-bains
We took a tour of the city of Gréoux-les-Bains. It's a small town of about 2500 very nice inhabitants with an incredible view. The perfect opportunity to have a drink in a restaurant on the terrace not far from the thermal baths. This village was very pretty, we went back there a second time at the end of our stay. Gréoux-les-bains with a dog: we say YES!
- Valensole: lavender village
During our stay, we also visited the village of Valensole which is known for its marvelous purple landscapes and lavender scents. You should know that lavender is grown in June-July, so if like us, you decide to leave in September, you will not be able to see it. Attention, lavender or not, the village is still very cute. If you go during the high season, you will have the magnificent photos in the lavender fields with your dog.
- Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
Going on vacation in the Verdon with my dog was an opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful villages in France: Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. Frankly, it is a magnificent village balanced between ramparts and rocks. The village is crossed by a small river, which gives it a lot of character. We were able to get lost in the alleys of the village, it was Too W'ouf as Musher and Sophie would say! Then, we ate in a restaurant “La part des Anges”, an incredible view on the terrace, the staff was really welcoming, kind and great with Olympe. In short, we totally recommend visiting this superb village with your dog! Be careful, it is so famous that, even in September, it's complicated to park: small village with lots of tourists...
Admire the Verdon with your dog from the Route des Crêtes
To admire the Gorges du Verdon as it should be, you absolutely have to take the ridge road! Along this road, you can stop at each belvedere to admire the Verdon Grand Canyon and its mountains, a landscape that will make you dizzy.
You can do this route of about 25 km by car or by bike, for the bravest. We decided to do it by car, because it was more practical with our dog Olympe. To do everything, count about 40 min. The road begins at the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon and ends there.
Musher and Sophie: Moreover, there is a cani-hiking Too W'ouf to do on this famous ridge route ! A hike accessible only in summer by gondola accessible to dogs on a leash. In winter, you will obviously find a ski slope there. However, you need an ultra-obedient dog, because the path is sometimes very narrow.
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Discover a waterfall with your dog in the Verdon
We have been to the village of Sillans-la-cascade, to see a magnificent waterfall 44 meters high. To get there, several possibilities:
Park in the village directly and go down to see the waterfall
Play adventurer and take a longer hike to get there
As you can imagine, we have opted for the second solution. As "great" adventurers, we left the village of Salernes by taking the hiking trail no. Of the halls, about 3 hours walk round trip.
We started from the municipal swimming pool of Salernes. Be careful to watch your dog, this swimming pool is an open basin crossed by the river, this place is named The Muie. Very original as a concept with a somewhat Roman style, it was really very pretty. To get to the waterfall, we started by taking the road, a path, then paths in the woods, and since we took the wrong way, we walked along the turquoise river of the Bresque to reach the bottom of the waterfall.
The landscape was breathtaking, worthy of a painting! There were natural pools of turquoise/emerald water, which were magnificent. Even though it was mid-September, there was a bit of a crowd around the waterfall.
Be careful, this magnificent waterfall is a little hidden, so you have to wade a bit in this turquoise water to see it. Moreover, it is forbidden to swim at the foot of the waterfall. Indeed, it is quite dangerous to swim at the foot, because there are many rock falls. It is also to protect the domain elsewhere! A few years ago, it was still possible to swim.
Little anecdote, I had to carry Olympe in backpack mode since he didn't want to put a paw in the water. For what ? Because the water is turquoise, and not transparent, and if Olympe can't see the bottom, then it's out of the question for him to set foot there. As for my human sidekick – Joey, he fell in the water to the delight of everyone around us.
Musher and Sophie: Ah the dogs, they make us see them sometimes haha. With Musher, it's more when I'm dizzy that she wants me to wear it! For those who share their life with a small dog or a medium-sized dog, it is sometimes very practical to have a transport bag.
Activities and water sports in Verdon with your dog
Over a week, we tested a lot of activities with our dog in the Gorges du Verdon. We also started with a canoe trip on the Baudinard gorges with Olympus. The Baudinard gorges are smaller than those of the Verdon, they are also called the low gorges, but they are just as pretty, because they are wilder. This canoe trip with our dog was long, almost 4:30. In addition, the current was in the opposite direction that day, which lengthens the trip a little. These changes in currents are due to the dams on the Verdon. That day the water from the Lac de Sainte Croix was poured into the Verdon and so we were in reverse current. It was really beautiful!
Attention, dear humans and also dogs, do not bathe in the gorges, because the water is really very cold! Therefore, it is better to avoid thermal shock. The cani-canoe was a first for Olympe. Olympe is a dog who trusts us 100%, so even if he had never tried canoeing with him, he seems to have enjoyed this first experience in the Gorges du Verdon. On the other hand, we recommend that you do an initiation with your dog before, the canoe-kayak bases generally offer this. Make a few circles in the water before leaving for the canoe trip to see how your dog behaves in the canoe.
Musher and Sophie: Musher and I love canoeing together! Besides, you can find all my advice for canoeing with your dog on the Mag'. I remind you that regardless of the nautical activity chosen, it is strongly advised to use a life jacket for your pooch (and you too following the W'ouf Course activity). And, of course, before putting your dog on a canoe or any floating device, make sure he knows how to swim and is comfortable in the water. A dog can drown!!! If he can't swim well, look at the article Teaching my dog to swim.
After this nice walk, we then had a picnic on the shore of the lake which is at the entrance to the gorges.
If you go to the Verdon with your dog, I also recommend Esparron Lake ! It was the lake just above our campsite. We all swam together and rested for a few hours, with a still magnificent landscape, cliffs, turquoise and clear water! For information, it is a place where there are a few people! But that also has its advantages: Olympe was also able to play with a labrador from the neighborhood. The end of the day ended with exquisite pizzas prepared at "Le Chemin Neuf", to take away.
In the Verdon, there is the third largest lake in France! It's about Lake of Sainte-Croix, we landed on the shores of the lake. It's beautiful, it's turquoise in color, the water is quite cold in September, but we still soaked our feet and paws. Besides, Olympe has made a friend dachshund over there, I don't know if the whole edge of the lake is authorized for dogs, but on the Gorges du Verdon side yes. On the lake, you can rent a canoe, pedal boat or even a small electric boat to go up the Gorges du Verdon.
Musher and Sophie: You can also go canoeing on these two lakes and many other water activities such as pedalo or cani-paddle ! find all the activities accepting dogs near the Gorges du Verdon on the EmmeneTonChien.com website.
Where to sleep in the Verdon with your dog
We stayed in a mobile home in a Pet-friendly campsite, the Verdon Parc campsite in the town of Gréoux-les-Bains, it's a really great place. When you arrive, an identification medal will be given to you as well as some treats for your hairball (cat or dog). The Verdon flows along the campsite which is really nice to refresh your dog, and take a dip with him. There is even a small farm, where Olympe could see hens, chicks, dwarf goats and an alpaca. Within the campsite, there are also poop bag dispensers, which is pretty cool.
In the campsite, you have access to sports equipment for free by leaving an identity document. From memory, there was football or basketball equipment, tennis equipment and also golf equipment, it seems to me. There are also plenty of other services: shows, yoga classes and other various activities. There is also a small supermarket, a bar/restaurant, a swimming pool and a launderette. What the best!
We played tennis with Olympe! Besides, we have, more or less, the same level as him. For the record, he's the only dog that doesn't run after balls, so he was the referee.
Musher and Sophie: Are you looking for the best accommodation for you and your dog for the holidays? Find it on the site! All dog-friendly accommodation referenced on the site have been tested and approved by Wouafer's. Moreover, if you want to spend your next vacation with your dog in the Verdon gorges, look for your accommodation on Emmènetonchien.com. Here is a selection of QUALIDOG-certified accommodation in which you are sure that your dog will be well received!
Hotel & Spa Villa Castellane
With Restaurant DogFriendly 🐶
Camping AU TYLO SOLEIL
River access for dogs 💦
The Colorado Provençal: the unmissable of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region
During this week's holiday in the Gorges du Verdon with our dog, we visited the Colorado Provençal from Rustrel, located an hour by car from the village of Gréoux-les-bains. The weather was stormy, but for once the dark sky brought out this sublime landscape composed of the ochres of Vaucluse. It is a landscape with both white hues, but also yellow and red. The site is authorized for dogs on a leash. It will be necessary to plan what to pay for parking, but otherwise access is free. Then on the way back, we passed through the town of Manosque to buy raincoats and treats for Olympe.
Musher and Sophie: You can also do the ocher trail which offers a similar landscape. It's Too W'ouf and only 30 minutes from Colorado Provençal!
Some activities to do between humans
During these long holidays, we left Olympe to rest in the mobile home for one morning and one day. Even though we are used to traveling with him, the weeks are usually never so intense.
The morning when Olympe was left alone, we went for a horseback ride on the top of the Gorges de Baudinard in the opposite direction that we had taken by canoe a few days before. It was breathtaking, I have a good ten years of riding under my belt and frankly, it was super fun. For Joey it was a little more challenging on a sporting level. The owner of the place is ultra friendly, he brings us a different vision of the human / horse relationship, totally in the positive and respectful of equine well-being. Throughout the hike, the guide informs you about the history of the Verdon and its region, but also about its way of life. There were two of us with hundreds of hours on horseback in our legs, and we were able to gallop over the plains with the confidence of the guide while the group advanced on its side, memorable memories. If you want to try the experience, it's "Les Chevaux du Verdon" and it's really a top address. The experience begins with picking up your horse up close and ends with bringing it back, count on a good morning.
Musher and Sophie: Know that it is quite possible to go on a horseback ride with your dog. If your dog is well educated, there will be no problem.
The day he spent alone, Olympe slept for a good part of the day while we were doing an extreme hike. A wonderful hike, but so difficult, it is not at all recommended to do it with your dog. This is not really possible, because the end is really steep: high steps directly embedded in the cliff, steel ladders, an impossible drop, a path on the cliffs along the void and the Verdon. Really it would have been much too risky with Olympe. If you are an extreme person, I recommend this hike! Attention, it also requires physical form and kilometers in the legs. The hike takes the path of Imbut and the Vidal trail, 10 km and about 4-5 hours of walking, depending on the lunch break time. You can also see the Baou Béni all along the trail. Swimming is not advised. Indeed, there have been several deaths, because the water level can rise suddenly.
Musher and Sophie: I must admit that while reading the word baou with Musher we wondered what it could be. Not being from the south, the meaning did not come immediately. For those who don't know either, I'll help you: the word baou or bau designates an escarpment, a cliff or a hill whose summit is generally flat.
The final word
When it was time to take the road back, we wanted to extend our getaway by a few days with a quick two-day visit to the city of Toulouse, always accompanied by Olympe. A last stroll along the Brienne canal and the banks of the Garonne, this wonderful sunset over the pink architectures, and finally we returned home.
I hope that our article on our vacation in the Gorges du Verdon with our dog will be useful for you to prepare your next vacation with your four legs. If you want to get to know us a little more, you can read our portrait Wow Good on the Mag!
Thank you very much for all this information Odelys! It's really great all the Addresses Too W'ouf that you share with us there. I don't know about you Wouafer's but me Odelys made me want to go to the Verdon with Musher. Holidays where I can canoe with my dog and hike with my dog: top holiday
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Thank you for all this very useful information for organizing our stay with our dogs.
Thank you, your site is great. You don't organize trips?
Thank you Henriette!
Well yes, we organize trips! Well, not us directly, but trusted partners. You can find them on the page “Organized stays” in the “Inspire me” section 😉 And if you prefer a tailor-made trip, our dog travel planners are here for that!