The Garde-Canal trail

6 points of interest

• 

  Fauna

  Be careful!

  Bats take advantage of the natural and artificial cavities of the low Verdon gorges to hibernate. When they fall asleep, their temperature and heart rate drop and their breathing seems to stop (breathing stops can last from 60 to 90 minutes!). An impromptu awakening would condemn them. The flagship Mediterranean species here is Capaccini's Murin, whose large feet allow it to collect insects (and sometimes fry) on the surface of the water.

• 

  Fauna

  An American in the lower gorges

  The Coypu also known as the "river rat" (Myocastor coypus) is a species of mammal in the Myocastoridae family, the only surviving species of the genus Myocastor. This large rodent, native of South America, was introduced in Europe in the 19th century for the exploitation of its fur. All coypus present in Europe have either escaped or were released voluntarily in the open. The coypus has no natural predators except for its young which are sometimes the prey of birds like buzzards and barn owls.

• 

  Panorama

  Viewpoint of the lower gorges

  A viewpoint which gives you a view of the Sainte Maxime caves.

• 

  Patrimony and history

  The first canal of Aix en Provence

  The first canal with water intake on the Verdon was built from 1864, it follows the left bank of the lower gorges. The path going along it allowed men assigned to this work to perform maintenance. Its development constituted a hard 10 years of labour, 20km of tunnels were dug for this occasion, with the means of the time, that is to say, the pick, the pickaxe and gunpowder.

• 

  Patrimony and history

  Sainte-Maxime Chapel

  A small chapel of the 19th century, perched on the left bank of the mountainous area located at the exit of the Verdon gorges, dedicated to Saint Maxime (not to be confused with Saint Maximus who is called St. Maime in Provence). The saint and its chapel take up a large place in the minds of the residents of Quinson who have kept its memory as its traditional pilgrimage. This is the perfect stop for a picnic during the trek, often accompanied by goats.

• 

  Fauna

  The King of Heaven

  Emblem of Zeus to Napoleon, he held a prominent place in the myths of many parts of the world. The Golden Eagle is one of the largest eagles whose shapely figure is easily distinguishable in the sky describing dizzying figures or extended hovering wings . It frequents open and semi-open habitats in mountainous areas where small rodents are present. The Golden Eagle, like all raptor species is protected in France.