Discover Vinon-Sur-Verdon

Vinon-sur-Verdon offers ways to plan a trip featuring outdoor activities and local history. Cycling routes of varying difficulty, water-based activities and riverside walks sit alongside historic buildings and a walking tour of the town. When planning your trip, consider which of these themes you would like to focus on.

Cycling, hiking and water activities

The “Drailles et Bancaus du Verdon” mountain-biking area is certified by the Fédération Française de Cyclisme and includes signposted routes of all difficulty levels. When choosing a route, check the local conditions and signage again. The GR99, GR49 and GR4 long-distance hiking trails run through the Haut-Var Verdon area around Vinon-sur-Verdon. They therefore relate to the wider area; when planning a hike, you should also check current access and trail conditions.

Depending on water levels, Ducky-Kayak offers guided canoe and kayak trips on the Durance, as well as rafting. The trips are suitable for people aged six and over and are accompanied by a state-certified guide. Introductory kayaking lessons are also available. Check operating and water-level conditions for the trips in advance; it is best to confirm the availability of introductory lessons directly with the provider.

There is also a white-water course for kayakers in Vinon-sur-Verdon. It is accessible to FFCK members, starts beneath the bridge and is 600 metres long. Access depends on membership and water conditions. The guided trips and the course are therefore different ways to enjoy kayaking; consider the conditions for each option separately.

The Bas-Verdon is classified as a Category 1 fishing area. Anglers have access from the second Saturday in March through the third Sunday in September, inclusive. Before setting out, check the applicable fishing regulations so that your plans take the seasonal period into account.

Walk by the river and spend time outdoors

Close to the town centre, the “Les bords du Verdon” area offers walking paths along the riverbank. It also has children’s play areas, a fitness area, a skate park, a canoe and kayak stadium, and picnic tables. The Parcours de santé, also known as Espace Capriata d’Orba, is also located on the banks of the Verdon and is freely accessible. Please note that access information for the Parcours may change.

Those interested in gliding can contact the Association Aéronautique Verdon Alpilles, which welcomes visitors in Vinon-sur-Verdon to learn about, practise or improve their gliding skills. Check visiting arrangements and seasonal availability directly with the association. This lets you include this distinctive activity in your trip plans without confusing it with the riverside activities.

Discover local history on foot

The “Visite libre de Vinon-sur-Verdon” tourist trail can be explored on foot and offers a glimpse into the town’s past and present. At several notable points, photos and commentary help you compare each location with how it looked more than a hundred years ago. The trail connects a visit to the town today with views of its past, without focusing on any single building.

Historic buildings include the Tour de l’Horloge: its tower dates from the 17th century and its bell tower from the 18th century. The bells date from 1694 and 1696. The Church of Saint-Sauveur is located in the old quarters of Vinon-sur-Verdon and is part of the town’s cultural heritage. Only old stones that are difficult to identify remain at the foot of the citadel from the former Hospitaller castle fortress.

The Calades also reflect a local building tradition: they are made using the Provençal technique of calade paving with locally sourced natural stone, which makes walking easier. A fresco of the Annunciation in the Chapelle Saint Nom de Jésus is attributed to Paul Blanc. The artist lived in Vinon-sur-Verdon in the early 20th century and spent his final years there. The chapel is considered a 17th-century building; its reconstruction is thought to date from 1856.

Market and hotel choices

A traditional Provençal market takes place every Sunday morning on the large esplanade. If the market is an important part of your plans, check the weekly schedule again before you arrive. When looking for a hotel in Vinon-sur-Verdon, you can first decide whether cycling, water activities, walks or cultural heritage will shape your trip. Then compare the details of the specific options with your own requirements.

Discover more destinations: Bauduen, Bargemon, Mons, Brue-Auriac, Le Pradet, Le Luc, La Roque-Esclapon, Barjols.

For the broader travel overview: Var.