Verdon Gorge & Lavender Fields Day Trip from Nice

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/24

Duration10h

GroupUp to 8

LanguagesEN · PT +2

PickupAt your hotel

Turquoise canyons, wild lavender, and old stone villages from Nice

You’ll wind through canyons echoing with waterfalls, wander medieval streets in Castellane and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, and (if you time it right) walk through sunlit lavender fields buzzing with bees. Expect local stories from your guide and plenty of moments where you’ll just want to pause and breathe it all in.

10h

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Verdon Gorge and nearby villages

Visit Saut du Loup waterfalls
Travel to Castellane village
Enjoy free time in Castellane
Drive along Verdon River
Stop for photos at Lake Sainte-Croix
Admire views of Verdon Gorge
Lunch and walk in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
Stroll through lavender fields
Optional free time at lakeside

The Experience

The first thing I noticed after leaving Nice was how quickly the city faded into green hills and then—suddenly—those sharp cliffs of the Gorges du Loup. Our guide, Camille, pulled over so we could hear the waterfalls at Saut du Loup. It’s louder than you expect, almost like distant applause echoing off the rocks. The air smelled faintly of wet stone and pine needles. I tried to take a photo but honestly, it never looks quite right on a screen.

Castellane came next—a sleepy village with this huge rock looming above it (apparently 180 meters high). We wandered through narrow streets for a bit; I grabbed a coffee from a tiny café where the owner nodded at my accent but smiled anyway. Camille pointed out the church way up top and joked about counting steps if you’re brave (I wasn’t). The Verdon Gorge itself is just… well, it’s hard to put into words. That color—almost fake turquoise—and when you lean over one of those viewpoints, there’s this hush except for wind and maybe a far-off bird. I got dizzy looking down.

Moustiers-Sainte-Marie was our lunch stop. It’s all stone arches and little ceramic shops tucked between cliffs. I had some goat cheese tart that tasted better than it looked (which is saying something). If you’re here mid-June or July, the lavender fields are everywhere—patches of purple humming with bees. My shoes picked up dust that smelled faintly floral; I still find bits of it in my bag sometimes. At one point Camille tried to teach us “lavande” in French—my pronunciation made her laugh so hard she nearly dropped her keys.

If you want to swim or just sit by Lake Sainte-Croix instead of walking more, they’ll let you choose. The lake is cold even in summer but so clear you can see your toes disappear into blue-green water. Some folks napped on the grass while others took photos pretending not to care about their hair in the breeze. Honestly? I didn’t expect to feel so calm by the end of it all.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off at your accommodation in Nice, entry tickets for the Saut du Loup waterfalls, comfortable transport all day with a knowledgeable local guide behind the wheel—and flexibility for lakeside relaxation or extra village time depending on your mood and the weather.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Riviera Star Tours