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From Worldtraveller

We didn't spend the entire time on the observatory site - the group hired a car, and on one of our days off, me, Henrik Melin and Clare Jenner went to see the Gorge du Verdon, allegedly the second biggest canyon in the world. It was a long drive to get there but the scenery was increasingly impressive. We entered the canyon at its lower end, and drove slowly along, appreciating some stunning views and also occasionally experiencing some stunningly strong winds blowing down the valley.

Dramatic scenery on the way to the gorge

The Verdon river. The wind here was phenomenal.

Another view of the lower parts of the canyon

Further up the canyon we walked a little way up to a couple of view points. It started to snow briefly but luckily not for long, and we enjoyed standing right on the edge of heartstopping precipices to look down on the tiny Verdon river far below. After that we drove back downstream, stopping again at the windiest point because it had the best views of the turqoise river. At the end of the valley, the river broadens, the wind drops completely, and the river carries on placidly towards the Durance, then the Rhône, then the Mediterranean Sea.

The slice through the bedrock is evident	A closer look at the cleft	In places you can look about 300ft straight down at the river
Looking up the valley	Quite scary that there is no fence at this point	The river calms down as it emerges from the narrows