South side of the gorge: Aiguines and the Falaise des Cavaliers
France > Provence > Eastern > Gorges du Verdon > South of the gorge
AIGUINES, perched high above the Lac de Ste-Croix on its eastern side, has a turreted Château (not open to the public) and a history of wood-turning – the boules for pétanque made from ancient boxwood roots used to be its speciality. You can find out more at the tiny Musée des Tourneurs sur Bois (mid-June to mid-Sept daily except Tues 10am–noon & 2–6pm; €1.50), a museum devoted to the intricate art, and there's some very expensive and beautiful woodwork, as well as pottery and faïence, to be viewed at the Galerie d'Art opposite the tourist office (July & Aug daily 10am–1pm & 4–7pm; Sept–June Mon–Fri 10am–noon & 3–5pm; tel 04.94.70.21.64, [email protected]).For rooms, there's the hotel-restaurant du Vieux Château (tel 04.94.70.22.95, fax 04.94.84.22.36; €100–125, half-board compulsory; closed Nov–March), or the rather characterless Altitude 823 (tel 04.98.10.22.17, fax 04.98.10.22.16; €85–100, half-board compulsory; closed Nov–March). Of the seven campsites in the vicinity, Le Galetas (tel 04.94.70.20.48; closed mid-Nov to mid-March) is almost within diving distance of the lake, a long way down from the village. However, the best place to stay on the south side – as long as you don't suffer from vertigo – is the Hôtel du Grand Canyon du Verdon by the dramatic precipice of the Falaise des Cavaliers (tel 04.94.76.91.31, fax 04.94.76.92.29; €40–55; closed mid-Nov to mid-March), on the Corniche Sublime, a good 20km from Aiguines, with stunning views. The restaurant serves reasonable food.
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