Day 1 — Castellane: canyoning with a licensed operator
- ⚡ It makes sense to start the tour in Castellane — one of the main active-holiday bases at the entrance to the Verdon Gorge, where well-known canyoning and climbing operators work. For the first day, it is best to choose guided canyoning in a beginner-friendly or moderate format through an official company such as Maison du Canyoning et de l’Escalade: the activity itself usually takes about 3–4 hours, and together with check-in, gear fitting, and transfer to the start — half a day or a little more. Verdon is known not only for its giant canyon walls, but also for well-organized adventure formats with instructors, so this is an excellent way to begin the tour without unnecessary independent risk. The format is made safe by a licensed operator, mandatory briefing, route selection by level, provision of a helmet, wetsuit, harness, and the use of official, long-established routes. Before booking, be sure to check insurance, age and physical restrictions, ability to feel confident in the water, the language of the briefing, meeting point, bad-weather cancellation policy, and whether transfer is included. Important seasonal details: in spring and early summer, routes may be affected by the water level; after rain, activities are sometimes rescheduled; and in the hottest months, places with popular operators sell out quickly. In the evening, take a calm walk around Castellane and get an early rest before the rock walls of day two.
