Gorges du Verdon

A few kilometers east of Moustiers Sainte Marie is the Gorges du Verdon also known as the Grand Canyon of the Verdon River and sometimes called the Grand Canyon of Europe.  Although not as big as the Grand Canyon in Arizona, it is still very impressive.  The canyon is 16 miles long and the Verdon River has carved it down 2300 feet in some places.  The water in the bottom is a striking turquoise blue.  One sign I read said that the color comes from the algae and fluorine in the water.  We drove on a road that had lots of places to pull out for a view and went right next to the north rim of the canyon.

The turquoise water deep in the canyon

One of the many overlooks

A panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and top of the gorge.

There's turquoise water way down there.

Another view

View from another direction

Another panoramic view