The course of the Verdon is characterized with the presence of narrow and deep gorges and some of its sections – notably in the Grand Canyon – were not explored until early 19th century. Its irregular water flow, the presence of rapids, did not allow locals to use it as a navigation or communication waterway through history. Like the Durance of which it is a tributary, the Verdon rather played a border role by delimiting the departments of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and the Var.