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Le Refuge De La Maline(Route de la Maline, ☎ 33 04 92 77 38-05). This is a very basic park refuge and gîte d’étape or hikers’ lodge. It has sanitary facilities, drinking water, 82 spaces and a basic restaurant. By the time most people finish the Sentier Martel, all they want to do is crash anyway, so, if you are carrying a sleeping bag, it is adequate. You can catch the Castellane-to-La-Palud bus to the nearby village of La Palud sur Verdon or arrange for a local taxi to take you from here to other gîtes and inns in the area.

Accommodation in this one plays second fiddle to the glorious scenery and outdoor activities. Hotels have all the facilities but not much charm. Among them, the most expensive is Les Gorges Du Verdon (Route de la Maline, 04120 La Palud sur Verdon, ☎ 33 04 92 77 38 26, fax 33 04 92 77 35 00, bog@worldonline.fr, www.hotel-des-gorges-du-verdon.fr/index-gb.htm, €€). Another, L’Auberge des Crêtes (04120 La Palud sur Verdon, ☎ 33 04 92 77 38 47, fax 33 04 92 77 30 40, aubergedescretes@wanadoo.fr) is a less expensive, but even more basic mountain lodge.

La Palud has six campsites, an equal number of gîtes and refuges, and dozens of casual rooms to rent. Because these come on and off the market so often, your best bet is to contact the Syndicat d’Initiative or Gîtes de France (www.gites-de-france.fr/eng).

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