VAN-COMPARATOR Guide
The Verdon Gorge by campervan: Route des Crêtes, Lake Sainte-Croix and hilltop villages
Rent a campervan in Nice for the Verdon: a 2-3 day itinerary, the Route des Crêtes, overnight spots around Lake Sainte-Croix, budget and narrow-road pitfalls.
Two hours from Nice, Europe’s largest canyon is waiting for your campervan: 700-metre cliffs, the turquoise water of Lake Sainte-Croix and the hilltop villages of the Valensole plateau. A weekend works; three days are perfect.
The itinerary
From Nice, allow about 2.5 hours via Grasse and Castellane. From there the D952 follows the north rim of the gorge to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, with a mandatory stop at the Point Sublime. Next day, drive the Route des Crêtes (D23, a loop from La Palud-sur-Verdon, partly one-way) and its string of dizzying viewpoints. Finish at Lake Sainte-Croix: pedalo or canoe into the mouth of the gorge, swim in the afternoon.
Where to sleep
Overnight parking is banned at the viewpoints and heavily patrolled in summer. Aim for the motorhome stopovers and campsites of La Palud, Moustiers and Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon (€10-20 a night at a stopover, €25-40 at a campsite). Our motorhome stopovers guide explains how they work.
Which vehicle
The roads are narrow and twisty: a campervan under 6 metres (€75-150/day) is the right call, and a compact converted van still fits fine (€85-160/day). Skip the 7.5-metre A-class on the Route des Crêtes — tight passing places and drops without guardrails.
Budget and booking
Three days from Nice: €280-420 for the rental, €60-80 of fuel, €40-60 of overnight fees. One Van-Comparator search compares Yescapa, Goboony, Roadsurfer and Indie Campers at once — Nice-based vans go fast from June to September, so book 4-6 weeks ahead.
Insider tip
Drive the Route des Crêtes before 9 am: low light raking the cliffs, vultures riding the updrafts and empty viewpoints. And pack a jumper — plateau nights are cool even in August.