The Sublime Point

Point Sublime is a viewpoint located on the right bank of the Verdon Gorge, below the village of Rougon in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. It offers a breathtaking view of the entrance to the Grand Canyon, marked by the narrowness of the Samson Corridor.

To access Point Sublime, you will need to follow the direction of Rougon on the D952, along the Verdon on the right bank of the Gorges. A large parking lot has been set up to enjoy exploring the site. This is paid during the summer season and its use is preferred for a visit not exceeding 3 hours. Near the site, there is the possibility of eating at the Auberge du Point Sublime. To enjoy the Gorges for the day, another parking lot located on the access road to the Samson Corridor allows parking for the day at a more suitable rate.

From the Point Sublime car park, a visitor reception area is in place, and a short 10-minute walk will take you to the belvedere overlooking the Verdon Gorges. From the belvedere, the panorama is simply... sublime!
Below you will see the lush green waters of the Verdon. The Duc wall on your left and the Escalès cliffs on your right face each other, impressive with their heights of nearly 400 m.
The entrance to the Samson Corridor appears to be guarded by a human figure, taking shape in the wall on the left bank. This figure recalls the biblical Samson and gave its name to the Corridor. According to legend, Samson split the mountain in two, creating the Verdon Gorge, in order to save Delilah, who was in the village of Rougon. Samson is the guardian of the entrance to the Grand Canyon.

The Point Sublime is also known as the arrival of the famous Blanc-Martel trail, offering a unique route in the heart of the Canyon, starting from the Chalet de la Maline. This trail of about fifteen kilometers connects the Chalet de La Maline to the Point Sublime, it crosses the Gorges offering dizzying passages and breathtaking landscapes. However, completing this trail requires a minimum of physical condition and the ability to move on steep paths. The duration of the hike is estimated at 5 hours and 30 minutes, adding 30 minutes if you opt for the option of making a round trip to reach La Mescla, the place where the Artuby flows into the Verdon.
At the end of the trail, you will pass through tunnels, witnesses to the exploration of the Gorges at the beginning of the 20th century. Their aim was to channel the water of the Verdon to produce electricity, by installing penstocks.

In addition, on the heights of the cliffs, on the right bank of the Verdon, we can see the first bends of the Route des Crêtes, which offers the discovery of several belvederes and dizzying views of the Gorges du Verdon.