Rougon and the sublime point
Located in the heart of the majestic Gorges du Verdon, the picturesque village of Rougon is a must-see destination for nature and history lovers. Perched on a rocky promontory, Rougon offers breathtaking views of the Verdon canyon, particularly from the famous Point Sublime, one of the most spectacular panoramas in the region. If you're staying at campsite Le Clos de Barbey, just a few kilometres away, a visit to Rougon and the Point Sublime is a must if you want to discover the wild and authentic beauty of Provence.
Stroll through the narrow streets of this charming medieval village and you'll be transported back in time, surrounded by historic remains and typical Provencal architecture. The Point Sublime, a veritable balcony overlooking the Verdon, offers an unrivalled visual experience, where the sheer cliff faces rise proudly above the turquoise waters of the Verdon.
Whether you're an avid hiker, a photographer in search of exceptional landscapes, or simply a curious visitor, Rougon and Point Sublime will provide you with unforgettable moments. Thanks to its proximity to these natural gems, Le Clos de Barbey campsite is the ideal base from which to explore this unique region.
Aux alentours
The village of Rougon
Perched at an altitude of 950 metres, the village is quickly recognisable by the rocky outcrop that still shelters the ruins of a medieval castle. There is a car park at the entrance to the village, where you can visit the ruins of the castle via a small, winding path.
The village went down in history in 814, when it became the property of the Abbey of Saint-Victor de Marseille and appeared under the name villa Rovagonis in the Wadalde polyptych. At the time, the term villa was used to describe a vast agricultural estate. The castle was built in the 11th century to control the road to Castellane.
It is no coincidence that the village of Rougon was born there. A spring is located a little further up the mountain and supplied the village with water until 1960. The spring's low flow rate enabled the village to fill a cistern, which still exists today, at the entrance to Rougon, and to supply water to the gardens and the wash-house.
Le Point Sublime in Rougon
The exceptional panorama from Point Sublime attracts large numbers of visitors every year. From the Point Sublime car parks, you can reach the start or finish of the Blanc-Martel hiking trail, which crosses the Gorges du Verdon from Rougon to the Chalet de la Maline in La Palud-sur-Verdon. Below the village, Point Sublime offers a spectacular view of the Samson couloir, whose sheer walls, over 400 metres high, provide access to the Grand Canyon du Verdon.
Hiking in the Verdon from Rougon
As already mentioned, Rougon is either the start or finish of the Blanc-Martel trail, a 7-hour hike that takes you to the heart of the Gorges du Verdon.
But it's not the only hiking trail in Rougon. From the centre of the village, head for the Plateau du Suech, a magnificent 9km loop offering beautiful panoramic views and perhaps, if you're lucky, a close encounter with griffon vultures.
Watching griffon vultures in Rougon
In the past, the inhabitants of Rougon probably didn't see as many vultures in the sky, as resources were not as abundant as they are today and the vultures had to navigate over a wider area. These birds are the real scavengers of nature, weighing up to 8 kg and with a wingspan of up to 2.65 metres. Griffon vultures were introduced to the Verdon between 1999 and 2004, black vultures in 2005 and Egyptian vultures in 2007.
To see them, grab a pair of binoculars and raise your head to the sky. You're sure to see them along the cliffs near Rougon and from the route des crêtes.
Weather in Rougon
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