Castellane

Castellane: White-water sports and heritage in Provence

A rock overlooking the village, a chapel perched nearly 200 meters high, medieval narrow streets: Castellane, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, marks the entrance to the Gorges du Verdon. This small Provençal town attracts heritage lovers as much as white-water enthusiasts. Between history, wild nature, and adventure sports, the municipality has enough to keep you busy for much more than a day.

A town of character at the gates of the Gorges du Verdon

Castellane is located on the Route Napoléon, at the junction between Haute-Provence and the first foothills of the Alps. The village has preserved its medieval layout: narrow streets, shaded small squares, fountains that have been flowing for centuries. The Saint-Victor church, in the heart of the town, bears witness to a past dating back to the 13th century. From a campsite near Castellane located in the Durance valley, allow about 1 hour and 30 minutes of travel time by road to reach the village.

The landscape changes quickly: after the gentle hills of Volonne and Sisteron, limestone cliffs appear, increasingly higher, right up to the entrance of the canyon. Castellane marks this border between two worlds, that of peaceful Provençal villages and that of wild gorges. The tourist office, set up on the main square, offers guided tours of the historic center. Visitors can learn about the origin of the name Petra Castellana, the city of stone, and the history of the ramparts of which a few remains still stand, such as the Pentagonal Tower which dates from 1359.

The Roc and Notre-Dame: a heritage between sky and earth

It is impossible to visit Castellane without looking up. The Roc, this limestone block of nearly 200 meters, overlooks the village and bears at its summit the Notre-Dame du Roc chapel. The climb is done via a marked trail of about 30 minutes, accessible to families with children. At the top, the view extends over the Verdon valley, the village roofs, and the surrounding mountains. The chapel has dominated Castellane since the 12th century, even though it has been rebuilt several times throughout history.

Inside, the walls are covered with ex-votos dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the patron saint of Castellane. This sanctuary is one of the last in France where residents continue to leave them, a sign of an attachment that is still very much alive. Each year, on August 15th, a procession reaches the summit to celebrate the Assumption. This living heritage is part of the municipality's identity, just like its fairs and Provençal markets.

On the way back down, the trail passes near the remains of the ancient citadel of Petra Castellana, the "fortified rock" that gave the town its name. History buffs can extend the walk to the Roc bridge, which spans the Verdon at the exit of the village over an ancient Roman road.

Nature activities: rafting, hiking, and white-water sports

Castellane is known as the French capital of white-water sports. The Verdon, with its rapids and narrow gorges, attracts thousands of practitioners each year. Rafting, canoeing, kayaking, hydrospeeding: the water sports centers offer outings adapted to all levels, from families with children to seasoned athletes. The most popular descent starts from Castellane and ends at Point Sublime, in the municipality of Rougon.

• The Gorges du Verdon stretch over approximately 100 km, with a depth of 750 meters in some places.The Blanc-Martel trail, one of the most famous in the region, allows you to go down to the bottom of the canyon and walk along the river for 15 kilometers. Plan a full day for this hike, with good shoes and plenty of water.
• For a discovery stroll with children, the Vallée des Sirènes offers a more accessible path where adults and children alike can observe the biodiversity of the gorges. 
• For a quieter outing, Lake Castillon offers an ideal setting just a few minutes from Castellane. This large 500-hectare artificial lake is perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, canoeing, and fishing. Its developed banks allow for picnics facing the mountains, in a setting well worth the detour.