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The Route des Crêtes requires a good head for heights and close attention to the road, but rewards visitors with unbeatable vertiginous views across the most spectacular reaches of the canyon.

Close to the village of Rougon, Point Sublime is one of the best places to look down into the rugged landscapes of the gorge. From here, the GR4 trail leads down into the canyon. Sturdy footwear is required, as is a torch (flashlight) to explore the tunnels cut into the cliffs.

The drive along the Corniche Sublime (D71), on the south side of the canyon, lives up to its name. Stop at the Balcons de la Mescale for a superb view and marvel at Europe’s highest bridge, the Pont de l’Artuby.

Forming part of the much longer GR4 walking trail through the canyon, the Martell Trail is the most popular hike through the gorges, passing dizzying cliffs and crossing narrow passes (see Martel Trail, Verdon Gorges).

A stately 17th-century chateau, with tiled roofs and white turrets, overlooks this attractive village. There are panoramic views over the lake.

This lovely village seems to grow out of the surrounding cliffs, with graceful stone bridges connecting houses on either side of the Ravine de Notre-Dame. Noted for its earthenware, it has a small museum and a 12th-century cliffside church, the Chapelle de Notre-Dame-de-Beauvoir (see Moustiers-Sainte-Marie).

The hydroelectric dam which created this 10-km (6-mile) long lake south of Moustiers in 1974 generates much of Provence’s power supply. Electric motorboats, windsurfing boards and catamarans can be hired at Ste-Croix village, on the west shore of the lake.

This small, attractive village, with fine views of the rugged mountains which surround it, is a good place to stop for lunch on a motoring tour of the canyon.

La Palud (see La-Palud-sur-Verdon) is the base for organized walking expeditions into the canyon, whitewater rafting and kayaking on the rapids.

The pleasant, small town of Castellane is the largest community in the area and has the widest choice of places to stay and eat. Tour operators offer a range of activities in the canyon (see Castellane).