Castellane
Castellane, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, 04120
In the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region of Southeastern France, Castellane is many things: It’s France's least populated subprefecture; it’s a registered historical site dating back to the High Middle Ages; and it’s the Gateway to the Verdon Gorge (Gorges du Verdon), aka “Europe’s Grand Canyon,” a scenic area rife with hiking trails, overlooks, and rafting routes. While history lovers would be comfortable here, the town’s outdoors draw the most travelers.
The basics
Situated near four mountain passes and within Verdon Regional Nature Park, view-seekers in Castellane are spoiled for choice. The steep trek to Chapelle Notre Dame du Roc (aka The Roc), which sits high on a cliff some 3,000 feet (914 meters) above the Verdon River, is a can’t-miss; for most, the 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) climb takes about 30 minutes. Other popular activities in Castellane include whitewater rafting, wandering the maze of picturesque narrow lanes in Old Town, and walking the nature park trails.
Things to know before you go
Wandering Old Town, look for Tour Pentagonale (a five-sided tower), Tour de l'Horloge (city gate and clock tower), and Place Marcel Sauvaire, the heart of tiny Castellane.
Markets fill the city center on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Stop by for a slice of local life.
If you’re a hiker, know that France’s epic G4 trail crosses the town.
34 Rue Nationale may look like just a house, but it’s where Napoleon ate lunch on his release from the island of Elba.
How to get there
The drive from Nice is about two hours; if you don’t have a car, a bus travels from Nice to Castellane (Place Marcel Sauvaire). A train can take you to Annot, but you’ll need a 30-minute taxi ride from there. From Paris, the drive is roughly nine hours.
When to get there
Castellane’s high season is summer, from June to August. If you want to avoid the crowds—and get potentially lower prices—spring and fall are great seasons to visit. During these windows, the weather will be temperate and mild, businesses will be open (some close during winter), and the hiking trails and scenic spots will be quieter.
Tiny town, titanic offerings
If you want to get outside, draw a 30-minute radius around town, and go nuts. Here are a few examples of what’s possible: three fantastic beaches line scenic Castillon Lake, about 20 minutes north of town; Point Sublime, an incredible viewpoint, is a half-hour away in Rougon; and the churning Verdon River offers floating, canyoning, and rafting opportunities aplenty.
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