# Two nights in the Verdon gorges from Marseille: Moustiers, the Blanc-Martel trail and the Route des Crêtes One night in Moustiers for the village and the lake, another in La Palud to walk the Blanc-Martel trail along the canyon floor and see the Route des Crêtes at dusk. Two hours from Marseille. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/provence-alpes-cote-dazur/verdon-gorge/itineraries/two-nights-with-moustiers-from-marseille · Revisado: 2026-11-12 Dónde: Gorges du Verdon The Verdon gorges are two hours from Marseille: too far for a relaxed there-and-back day, just right for two nights. The canyon can be understood in three ways and this getaway combines them: from the water, by boat at its mouth on Lake Sainte-Croix; from inside, on foot along the Blanc-Martel trail; and from above, by car along the viewpoints of the Route des Crêtes. You sleep one night at each end, in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie and in La Palud-sur-Verdon, so as not to retrace your steps. ## How do you get there from Spain? Fly to Marseille (MRS) and pick up a hire car at the airport: to Moustiers it is about two hours via the A51 to Manosque and then via Valensole and Riez. From Moustiers to La Palud, half an hour on the D952. From Barcelona you can also drive, in about seven hours by the AP-7 and the A9 to Nîmes and then Aix-en-Provence: if you choose this option, add a night. Without a car it is very difficult: buses are scarce and do not run along the canyon rims. ## What do you pay for and what is free? WhatPriceTime Climb to Notre-Dame de BeauvoirFree45 min Faience Museum€5 · free for under-16s1 h Boat or kayak at the GaletasFrom €10 an hour2 h Blanc-Martel shuttle€8.50 returnAll day Route des CrêtesFree1 h 30 – 3 h ## And if you do not want to walk seven hours? Swap Saturday for rafting from Castellane, half an hour from La Palud: the discovery descent with Yeti Rafting lasts three hours in all and costs from €45, from age 7. In the afternoon, do the Route des Crêtes in the last light and leave Sunday free for the lake. ## El plan ### Friday · 10:00 · Arrival in Moustiers and climb to the chapel Leave your luggage at the Clos des Iris, ten minutes' walk from the village, if you can already, and climb the 262 steps of the Way of the Cross to Notre-Dame de Beauvoir, beneath the star hung between the crags. ### Friday · 11:00 · Faience Museum Nine rooms with more than 300 pieces of Moustiers faïence. An hour; €5, free for under-16s. ### Friday · 12:30 · Lunch at Le Chardon-Marie On the church square, no booking: starters to share, the dish from the slate and lemon crème brûlée. ### Friday · 15:00 · Boat or kayak at the Galetas bridge Twenty minutes by car to the Base Nautique de l'Étoile. Two hours to row up the mouth of the canyon. In strong wind the prefecture closes the passage to boats. ### Friday · 20:00 · Dinner at La Bastide de Moustiers Alain Ducasse's table, with a Michelin star and its own vegetable garden: seasonal menu from €95, by reservation. Closed Tuesdays. If you prefer something simple, dine in the village. ### Saturday · 7:30 · To La Palud and the Blanc-Martel shuttle Half an hour by car to La Palud, leave the car in the marked car park and take the 8:30 shuttle to the Chalet de la Maline. Book it beforehand on the Park's website. ### Saturday · 9:00 · Blanc-Martel trail 16 km along the canyon floor, 6 to 7 hours with stops, with metal ladders and two tunnels: bring a head torch and two litres of water. In 2026 the final stretch is diverted by a rockfall; ask before setting out. ### Saturday · 16:00 · Point Sublime The shuttle back to La Palud leaves from the Point Sublime. If you like, dine at the Auberge du Point Sublime, next to the viewpoint; closed on Tuesdays and Sunday evenings. ### Saturday · 19:00 · Hôtel & Spa des Gorges du Verdon Heated pool, jacuzzi and hammam for the legs, and dinner at its restaurant, Le 938. ### Sunday · 10:00 · Route des Crêtes Leave the village by the D23 and do the loop of viewpoints clockwise: two or three hours with stops. ### Sunday · 13:00 · Lunch and return Eat at the Point Sublime or in La Palud and return to Marseille, a little over two hours. ## Consejos ### Book the shuttle and dinner in advance The Blanc-Martel shuttle requires a reservation and La Bastide has few tables. ### Do not start on a Monday or Tuesday Le Chardon-Marie and the Auberge du Point Sublime close those days or part of them. ### Fill the tank in Moustiers There are few services between the canyon villages. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### How much does the getaway cost? Between €230 and €380 per person with two hotel nights in a double room, meals and activities, not counting the journey or the car. ### When is it best to go? From May to September, when the shuttle, the boats and the restaurants run. May, June and September have fewer people. ### Can you go with children? Yes, swapping the Blanc-Martel trail, not recommended for under-8s, for rafting from age 7 or another morning on the lake. ### Do you need a car? Yes. Without a car the Verdon is very difficult.