The lovely little town of Castellane on the banks of the Verdon river is a stopping place on the Napoleon Road (Route Napoléon) surrounded by beautiful, wild mountains. Dominated by the famous rock on which Notre-Dame du Roc chapel stands, the Provençal old town is a maze of picturesque narrow lanes, fortified vestiges like the Tour Pentagonale (five-sided tower) and Porte de l'Horloge (clock gateway), and the beautiful Place Marcel Sauvaire square – the heart of Castellane's action.
34 Rue Nationale is a house where Napoleon stopped to lunch on 3 March 1815 on his return from the island of Elba. Open to the public, it is today the Middle Verdon museum of popular arts and traditions.
Walking fans must not miss following the footpath that leads up to Notre-Dame du Roc chapel from behind the church in around 30 minutes. The view from the top over the surrounding countryside is magnificent!
As it is located in Verdon Regional Nature Park, Castellane makes an excellent base for hiking along the park's numerous walking trails, and for canoeing, kayaking and rafting in the clear water of the Verdon river.
