Baudinard of Verdon ( click on the red zone (area Provence the Alps Riviera) in the chart of France )

Pop.: 162 h Alt. 647m
Department of the Var

It is necessary to take D9 on D30 which connects Aups to Montmeyan.

Located near the Lake of Holy Cross and the Gorges of the Verdon, Baudinard is one of the pearls of the High VAr. The commune of a surface of 2197 hectares however counts only 120 inhabitants the winter. This village perched in the hills, to 652 m of altitude, will dazzle you in spite of his smallness by the diversity and the richness of its environment. Baudinard belongs to the treasures of the Verdon. The prehistoric vestiges of the caves Balsams, prohibited with the public, are gathered in the superb archaeological museum of Quinson.
The village is to be visited for its arched passages, its frontages ramparts and its beautiful old houses which have the characteristic to almost have all of the cellars arched with an interior well (formerly supplied with surface waters) .

With not missing: the canyon of Baudinard, true turquoise water street bordered of cliffs (100-150m top) and of bored rock faces of many caves. Giddiness guaranteed!

Its Origin

The first writings speak about the village only in 1113, under the name of “Bellum Dinarium”, then “Beldinard”. An abbey existed already on the territory.

A little History

The history of this village goes up with… prehistory. And a visit with the close museum, in Quinson, will enable you to discover the result of the excavations undertaken since of the decades in its caves (Muréee cave for example). One of most remarkable, the cave of the church, with the painted walls, is unfortunately prohibited with the public. It bears this name because the inhabitants of Baudinard told that, during the Revolution, a refractory priest celebrated the mass there. The discovery in a fault of rock of scraps of embroidered money vestments, provided the proof that this history was true. Baudinard opens the low gorges of the Verdon. Its “canyon”, bordered of cliffs of almost 150 m in height, openings of multiple caves, is bordered by a way (the Path of the Low Throats, 13 km length) which will ensure you a sight époustouflante. Engage you there only carefully equipped. But already, of the village even, the panorama including the Lake of Holy Cross and the first buttresses of the Alps east of a remarkable beauty. The presence with the Neolithic era is attested on the territory by some traces left in the low gorges of the Verdon, in Esparron of the Verdon, Holy-Cross of the Verdon. On June 29, 1206, GUI of Baudinard and its sisters give their grazing ground to perpetuity for the animals of Saint-Maurice, commandery of templiers installed in Régusse. On May 26, 1389, Elzéar de Sabran, baron d' Ansouis becomes lord of Baudinard by his marriage with Beaucette. The seigniory will remain between the hands of Sabran until the Revolution. In 1852, Baudinard counted 402 more inhabitants.

In Baudinard, you will be able to also visit the church Saint Michel the Archangel, restored in 1921; the Woodland bridge (built near the vestiges of a Roman bridge), or the three oratories (co. Catherine, St Espero and St Etienne). Do not miss either, on the way of Vaumougne, the Abbey of Valmogne (classified historic building), a superb Romance priory of XIIIe century which was the subject of a recent restoration. Be assured that a walk in the streets and lanes of Baudinard will enchant you!