Discover the canyon by car
The Gorges du Verdon by Car
The Grand Canyon can be followed by car along two panoramic roads, one per bank: the Route des Crêtes on the north side and the Corniche Sublime on the south side. They only meet at the extremities of the canyon — these are two separate excursions, not a single loop. Here’s how to drive them, the season’s openings, where to park and whether your vehicle will fit.
- Right bank
- Route des Crêtes (D23) — 23 to 24 km according to official sources, around fifteen viewpoints, one-way
- Left bank
- Corniche Sublime (D71) — Aiguines → Pont de l’Artuby, then Comps-sur-Artuby
- Both banks
- Only meet at the extremities — two excursions, not one loop
- Duration
- Allow at least two days to tour the whole canyon
- Motorhome
- Height limited to 3.60 m at the sides of the Crêtes tunnels — see our dedicated guide
Right bank: the Route des Crêtes
From La Palud-sur-Verdon, the Route des Crêtes (D23) strings together around fifteen viewpoints over 23 to 24 km according to official sources, up to the Dent d’Aire. The central section is one-way only, driven clockwise, signposted from La Palud. The two vaulted tunnels limit the height to 3.60 m at the sides of the roadway (4.30 m in the centre). The village of Rougon and Point Sublime, for their part, are reached by the D952, on the Castellane side.
All the viewpoints of the Route des Crêtes → The Route des Crêtes on foot (hike) → Point Sublime →
Left bank: the Corniche Sublime
On the other bank, the Corniche Sublime (D71) runs from Aiguines to the Pont de l’Artuby, where bungee jumping takes place, before heading on to Comps-sur-Artuby. It passes the Col d’Illoire, the Falaise des Cavaliers and the Balcons de la Mescla — an impressive view, at the confluence of the Verdon and the Artuby.
The full Corniche Sublime route → All the viewpoints →
Openings and closures for the 2026 season
The full state of the Verdon today (weather, trails, river) →
Parking
A small free car park sits by every Route des Crêtes viewpoint — they fill up fast around midday in summer, so it’s best to arrive early. Point Sublime and the Couloir Samson have their own paid car parks in season; the Point Sublime one, paid from 30 April to 27 September 2026, is free with open access from 28 September 2026 to 29 April 2027. Full details, prices included, are on our dedicated page.
All the Verdon’s car parks, prices included →
Fuel
Petrol stations in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, La Palud-sur-Verdon and Comps-sur-Artuby (often 24-hour self-service pumps) — none in Aiguines, Trigance or Rougon. So for the Corniche Sublime, fill up before you set off: in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie or Aups if you are coming via Aiguines, in Comps-sur-Artuby if you are coming from the east.
Map of the Verdon’s petrol stations, live prices →
By motorhome or van
Both roads can be driven by motorhome with caution: according to the tourist office, vehicles must not exceed 4.30 m in height and 12 m in length, and the two vaulted tunnels of the Route des Crêtes drop to 3.60 m high at the sides. Wild camping is banned in the regional nature park (€135 fine) — service areas and campsites in the area are detailed in our dedicated guide.
The Verdon by motorhome: sizes, service areas, roads →
Frequently asked questions
Can you do a full loop of the Gorges du Verdon by car in a single day?
It’s possible to cover just one bank in a day, but not both at once in good conditions: the Route des Crêtes and the Corniche Sublime sit on opposite banks that only meet at the extremities of the canyon. To see both banks without rushing, allow at least two days.
Can you drive directly between the Route des Crêtes and the Corniche Sublime?
No — no bridge or road crosses the floor of the canyon at this point. To get from one bank to the other, you have to go around via the ends of the canyon: via Castellane to the east, or via Lake Sainte-Croix and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie to the west.
Can you do this route in a motorhome or a large vehicle?
With caution: according to the tourist office, vehicles must not exceed 4.30 m in height and 12 m in length on the canyon roads, and the two vaulted tunnels of the Route des Crêtes drop to 3.60 m high at the sides. The Corniche Sublime is narrow and winding. Our dedicated motorhome guide to the Verdon covers vehicle sizes, the trickier roads and where you can legally spend the night.
Are both roads open all year round?
No. The middle section of the Route des Crêtes closes every winter, and both roads can close temporarily for roadworks or cliff clearance. Check today’s road conditions before you set off — they can change from one season to the next.