
www.hotel-des-gorges-du-verdon.fr
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Nature
Mountain
Well-being
Perched at 938 meters on a panoramic ridge near La Palud-sur-Verdon, the Hôtel & Spa des Gorges du Verdon is a family-run 4-star retreat that combines spectacular views with a strong commitment to sustainability. Managed by the same family for three generations since 1973, it proves that modern comfort and eco-conscious living can thrive together in one of France’s most breathtaking landscapes.
Recognized as a leader in ecotourism, the hotel proudly holds the European Ecolabel and Green Key certification, and served as a pilot site for the nearly Zero Energy Hotels initiative. On-site solar panels and a mini wind turbine harness the plateau’s natural resources to generate clean electricity, significantly reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
All waste is carefully sorted, and kitchen scraps are composted to enrich the hotel’s herb gardens and flowerbeds. Single-use plastics have been completely eliminated: guests receive glass bottles for spring water, bamboo straws for cold drinks, and amenities in refillable ceramic dispensers crafted by local artisans.
Sustainability extends into the smallest details. Washable, reusable slippers replace disposable ones, breakfasts feature homemade jams and granola in bulk instead of plastic-wrapped items, and menus are designed to minimize food waste.
Water is conserved through low-flow fixtures and an innovative greywater recycling system that irrigates the gardens. Landscaped with native lavender, rosemary, and oak, the grounds require minimal watering and provide essential habitats for butterflies and bees. The hotel even maintains its own beehives, producing fragrant lavender honey for guests.
The kitchen follows a farm-to-table philosophy that celebrates regional produce. Guests can savor trout from local rivers, goat cheese from nearby farms, vegetables from organic producers, and wines from Provençal vineyards. The chef’s menus adapt seasonally and include vegetarian-friendly Provençal dishes rich in flavor and authenticity.
Guests can also participate in a beloved initiative to “adopt” an olive tree, supporting replanting programs that restore olive groves across Provence while offsetting carbon.
The spa offers Cinq Mondes treatments and features an outdoor jacuzzi positioned for stargazing. Thanks to the hotel’s low-light policy, the night skies are exceptionally clear, and telescopes are provided for guests to admire the Milky Way. A solar-heated pool and open-air yoga sessions at sunset complete the wellness experience.
What makes the Hôtel & Spa des Gorges du Verdon truly special is its heartfelt ethos. The family and staff embody their motto — “we do our best to preserve our planet” — and invite guests to share that mindset. Days are spent hiking or kayaking in the Verdon Gorge, followed by relaxing evenings filled with fresh mountain air, Provençal flavors, and the profound silence of nature.
By blending renewable energy, zero waste practices, local gastronomy, and heartfelt hospitality, the Hôtel & Spa des Gorges du Verdon offers a rare balance of eco-luxury and authenticity. Guests leave not only with unforgettable views of the canyon, but with a renewed love for nature and its preservation.
A hilltop eco-hotel overlooking Europe’s Grand Canyon, where Provence hospitality meets earnest ecotourism – solar panels, starry skies and all.