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Home > Discover the Alpes de Haute-Provence > Towns, small towns and typical villages > Esparron du Verdon
Esparron du Verdon
 CACHE MAIS POINT SAUVAGEEsparron is perched at the entrance to the Basses Gorges, or Southern Gorges du Verdon and its castle and XIth century tower and its old houses are reflected in the turquoise waters of its lake, the most natural-looking of the artificial lakes, making it look as if it has always been there.
Esparron is also lavandin, fields of wheat, deep valleys and vast plateaux, pure sky, sun, preserved natural surroundings, four seasons full of colours and smells and perfect for peace, quiet and relaxation. The village is in three parts: « Lou Vière » around the castle, the « Quartier des Fontaines » more recent, built along the transhumance route, and the new village which was built after the lake was made. The old village hangs on to a rock around the castle, which may be where it got its name, as "esparrar » means to slide in Provencal.
The tower was built to watch over the Verdon and levy tolls from men and goods who crossed the ford, by boat, over a swinging bridge and then over a bridge which is now under 13 m of water..
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In the heart of the Verdon | TOURIST INFORMATION | |
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 CACHE MAIS POINT SAUVAGEEsparron is perched at the entrance to the Basses Gorges, or Southern Gorges du Verdon and its castle and XIth century tower and its old houses are reflected in the turquoise waters of its lake, the most natural-looking of the artificial lakes, making it look as if it has always been there.
Esparron is also lavandin, fields of wheat, deep valleys and vast plateaux, pure sky, sun, preserved natural surroundings, four seasons full of colours and mells for peace quiet and restfulness. The village is in three parts: « Lou Vière » around the castle, the « Quartier des Fontaines » more recent, built along the transhumance route, and the new village which was built after the lake was made. The old village hangs on to a rock around the castle, which may be where it got its name, as "esparrar » means to slide in Provencal.
The tower was built to watch over the Verdon and levy tolls from men and goods who crossed the ford, by boat, over a swinging bridge and then over a bridge which is now under 13 m of water..
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HERITAGE |
- Castle with Xth century tower.
- Picturesque village houses.
- Ecomusée la Vie d'Antan : the memory of Low-Provence where every object has a history, collection of objects, tools and costumes from bygone days from XVIIIth century to beginning of XXth century, presented and commented. Tel. 04.92.77.13.70.
- The Former Verdon Canal : built under Napoléon III by convicts, it ran alongside the Verdon and supplied Provence with water. Now dry, it goes through many tunnels from the village of Quinson, upstream of the Gorges, to the intake structure where it disappears under the hill.
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THE LAKE OF ESPARRON | Created in 1967 by EDF, it is located downstream of the Grand Canyon of the Verdon and the lake of Sainte-Croix. 328 ha wide, it is formed by two wide perpendicular basins lined with creeks and cliffs towering above the turquoise water, and extraordinarily wild gorges with calm waters which are easily accessible by canoe.
The dam, made of earth, necessitated 850.000 m³ of material and contains 80 million m³ of water, is 55 m deep at the dam. It supplies 116 districts with domestic and agricultural water, and towns such as Marseille, Toulon and Aix-en-Provence. Petrol-engine motorboats are not authorized but there are a number of very agreeable leisure sports.
- Swimming : equipped, supervized in summer . Electrical boat rental - no need for a licence, pedalos with toboggans, canoes, to discover the calm waters of the Basses Gorges to Quinson (9 km).
- La Perle du Verdon : commented tours on a silent boat. Departures every day from April to October at 3pm and 4.30pm, one extra departure at 6pm in July and August, 1 departure only at 5.30pm in October.
- Sailing Club : sailing courses (dinghies and windsurfers), canoe, kayak and windsurfer rental (with lifejackets and watertight drums), mooring and landing. Open all year round.
- The wild lake : exceptional site, many welcoming and wild landing places, to discover by canoe or pedalos 3 km from Esparron, on the Gréoux road. Open every day from 9.30am to 7pm.
- Fishing : 2nd category lake, fishing permits on sale in tobacconists. Tel. 04.92.77.16.41.
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LEISURE ACTIVITIES |
- Botanical trail: a loop of around 4 km and a difference in height of 160m (2 to 3h) goes to the entrance to the gorges and through wooded hills to return to the village by the side of the lake.
- Paths for walking, mountain-biking, riding linking Esparron to Quinson, Gréoux-les-Bains, Saint-Martin-de-Brômes. Beautiful views of the Lower Gorges.
- On the heritage trail : marked tour of oratories, fountains, wash-houses, chapels and the broken bridge under the lake. Topo for sale at the Tourist Office.
- Verdon des collines : labeled mountain bike area, 300 km of marked paths through the districts of Esparron-de-Verdon and Gréoux-les-Bains, 11 circuits with 4 which leave from Esparron: les Grandes Vignes (10 km), le Gué (20 km), Saint-Marcel (30 km), Paravis (40 km). Free sheets at the Tourist Office. Mountain-bike rental.
- Climbing : initiation cliff. Tel. 04.92.74.09.95.
- Riding centre. Tel. 04.92.77.13.18. Tennis. Tel. 04.92.77.16.41.
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MAIN EVENTS |
- Fête de la Sainte-Madeleine : 3rd Sunday in July.
- Fête de la Lavande (Lavender Festival) : around 15th August.
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OTHER INFORMATION |
- Altitude : 360 m.
- Population : 314 inhabitants.
- To get here :
- by road : A51 motorway Saint-Paul-lez-Durance exit (south) or Manosque (north), then D 952 via Gréoux-les-Bains and D 82.
- by train : Manosque SNCF station.
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