French rivers

French Rivers:- Loire, Dordogne, Seine, Garonne, Rhone et le Rhine.

2. France can be discovered by France can be discovered by
water, thanks to its 6,700 km of water, thanks to its 6,700 km of
developed rivers and canals. It has developed rivers and canals. It has
the largest network of waterways the largest network of waterways
in Europe.in Europe.
Mountains dominate eastern, Mountains dominate eastern,
south central and southern France, south central and southern France,
including the snowcapped Alps including the snowcapped Alps
that stretch along its border with that stretch along its border with
Italy, then on into Switzerland and Italy, then on into Switzerland and
across southern Europe.across southern Europe.
The country is drained by dozens The country is drained by dozens
of rivers which largely reflect this of rivers which largely reflect this
geography, and flow from the geography, and flow from the
mountains towards the sea - mountains towards the sea -
usually flowing north and west to usually flowing north and west to
the Atlantic. the Atlantic.

3. SeineSeine
RhineRhine
LoireLoire
RhoneRhone
GarroneGarrone
DordogneDordogne

4. The Loire river is the longest in The Loire river is the longest in
France, covering a length of around France, covering a length of around
1,012 kilometers.1,012 kilometers.
It drains an area of about It drains an area of about 45,000 45,000
square miles (117,054 square kmsquare miles (117,054 square km )),,
which represents more than a fifth which represents more than a fifth
of France's land area. of France's land area.
This river rises from the This river rises from the CévennesCévennes
mountain range in the south-eastern mountain range in the south-eastern
part of the country and carves out a part of the country and carves out a
big chunk of area from north Alps to big chunk of area from north Alps to
Orleans. On its course, it flows west Orleans. On its course, it flows west
and reaches theand reaches the Bay of Biscay Bay of Biscay at St. at St.
Nazaire.Nazaire.


The Loire river is the The Loire river is the
170th longest river in the 170th longest river in the
world. world.

5. This region is also known as This region is also known as
“The Garden of France”“The Garden of France”, , because because
of the fertility of land along the of the fertility of land along the
course of the river. course of the river.
The main tributaries of this The main tributaries of this
river include the river include the AllierAllier, , IndreIndre, ,
CherCher and and VienneVienne on the left and on the left and
the the NiévreNiévre and and MaineMaine on the on the
right side, which flow along its right side, which flow along its
course. course.
The region flaunts a number of The region flaunts a number of
wine sub-regions held together wine sub-regions held together
by the Loire river.by the Loire river.
The mesmerizing beauty of The mesmerizing beauty of
Loire river valley exhibits the Loire river valley exhibits the
land of rich vineyards and land of rich vineyards and
magnificent châteaux like magnificent châteaux like
ChinonChinon, , AngersAngers, , ChambordChambord, ,
ChenonceauChenonceau and and VillandryVillandry. .

6. The waters of the River Seine The waters of the River Seine
have constantly been a part of have constantly been a part of
the evolution of the city of Paris, the evolution of the city of Paris,
and is still the heart and soul of and is still the heart and soul of
it. it.
It is used by commercial boats It is used by commercial boats
from from Bassur-SeineBassur-Seine to the river to the river
mouth and the river ends in the mouth and the river ends in the
Atlantic ocean covering a basin Atlantic ocean covering a basin
area of around area of around 78,650 square 78,650 square
kilometerskilometers. .
Besides Paris, three other cities Besides Paris, three other cities
namely namely La HavreLa Havre, , RheimsRheims and and
RouenRouen are also covered in the are also covered in the
course of this river.course of this river.
The Seine river is The Seine river is 482 miles 482 miles
(776 kilometers) (776 kilometers) long, and winds long, and winds
its way from Paris to the English its way from Paris to the English
Channel.Channel.

7. The Seine is one of Europe’s great The Seine is one of Europe’s great
historic rivers, and its drainage historic rivers, and its drainage
network carries most of the French network carries most of the French
inland waterway traffic.inland waterway traffic.
The Seine river flows through the The Seine river flows through the
middle of Paris and divides the city middle of Paris and divides the city
into the into the Left Bank or Rive GaucheLeft Bank or Rive Gauche, ,
and the and the Right Bank or Rive DroiteRight Bank or Rive Droite..
The Seine is known for its The Seine is known for its
romantic sightseeing boats, called romantic sightseeing boats, called
"bateaux mouches,""bateaux mouches," that drift up that drift up
and down the river in Paris. These and down the river in Paris. These
flat boats are a don’t-miss for flat boats are a don’t-miss for
many Paris tourists.many Paris tourists.

8. TheThe Rhone river rises in the Swiss Rhone river rises in the Swiss
Alps in Arles and covers a length of Alps in Arles and covers a length of
approximately approximately 505 miles505 miles. .
At Arles, the Rhone divides into At Arles, the Rhone divides into
two major arms forming the two major arms forming the
Camargue deltaCamargue delta, both branches , both branches
flowing into the Mediterranean Sea, flowing into the Mediterranean Sea,
the delta being termed the the delta being termed the Rhone Rhone
FanFan. The larger arm is called the . The larger arm is called the
"Grand Rhône""Grand Rhône",, the smaller the the smaller the
"Petit Rhône”"Petit Rhône”..
Out of the complete length of this Out of the complete length of this
river, the navigable portion covers river, the navigable portion covers
only only 300 miles 300 miles and all its branches and all its branches
merge into the Mediterranean sea. merge into the Mediterranean sea.
The Rhone is one of the The Rhone is one of the
major rivers of Europe, rising major rivers of Europe, rising
in Switzerland and running in Switzerland and running
from there through from there through
southeastern France. southeastern France.

9. The Rhone river was used to The Rhone river was used to
provide an important medium for provide an important medium for
inland trade connecting the cities of inland trade connecting the cities of
Valence, Vienne, Arles and LyonValence, Vienne, Arles and Lyon, to , to
the Mediterranean ports of the Mediterranean ports of
Marseille, Fos and SéteMarseille, Fos and Séte..

AtAt Lyon, which is the biggest city Lyon, which is the biggest city
along its course, the Rhone meets along its course, the Rhone meets
its biggest tributary.its biggest tributary.
When carrying large quantities of When carrying large quantities of
water, the current can speed up to water, the current can speed up to 6 6
mphmph, making the transportation , making the transportation
unsafe.unsafe.
The river is Alpine in character, The river is Alpine in character,
and its valley in south-eastern and its valley in south-eastern
France is famous for producing red France is famous for producing red
wines.wines.
View over the Rhone flowing View over the Rhone flowing
from Valais into Lake Genevafrom Valais into Lake Geneva

10. Garonne is a river in southwest Garonne is a river in southwest
France and northern Spain, with a France and northern Spain, with a
length of length of 602 km602 km. The area covered . The area covered
by its basin is somewhere around by its basin is somewhere around
21,600 square miles21,600 square miles..
From its source in the Pyrenees From its source in the Pyrenees
Mountains in Spain, the Garonne Mountains in Spain, the Garonne
river flows northeastward to river flows northeastward to
ToulouseToulouse and and AgenAgen towards towards
BordeauxBordeaux where it joins the where it joins the
Dordogne River to form an estuary Dordogne River to form an estuary
called the called the GirondeGironde..
It is joined by three major rivers It is joined by three major rivers
namely namely TarnTarn, , AriégeAriége and and LotLot, along , along
its course, and it flows into the its course, and it flows into the Bay Bay
of Biscay of Biscay (Atlantic Ocean). (Atlantic Ocean).

The Garonne river at ToulouseThe Garonne river at Toulouse

11. It also forms part of the It also forms part of the
Canal des Deux Mers,Canal des Deux Mers, linking linking
the Mediterranean sea to the the Mediterranean sea to the
Bay of Biscay thus allowing a Bay of Biscay thus allowing a
shorter and safer way for shorter and safer way for
goods to pass from the goods to pass from the
agricultural areas of the south agricultural areas of the south
of France to the Atlantic. of France to the Atlantic.

12. The Dordogne is a river in The Dordogne is a river in
south-central and southwest south-central and southwest
France.France.
The Dordogne river rises on the The Dordogne river rises on the
flanks of flanks of Puy de Sancy Puy de Sancy and covers and covers
a length of around a length of around 300 miles 300 miles
along its course with a drainage along its course with a drainage
basin of basin of 9300 square miles9300 square miles..
It flows westwards until it joins It flows westwards until it joins
the Garonne, the mightiest river the Garonne, the mightiest river
in the South-West of France, and in the South-West of France, and
together they form the together they form the Gironde Gironde
estuaryestuary, on which stands the city , on which stands the city
of Bordeaux.of Bordeaux.
The river is formed by two The river is formed by two
merging torrents namely the merging torrents namely the DoreDore
and the and the DognDognee. .

13. The Dordogne valley flaunts its The Dordogne valley flaunts its
powerful aura of brave knights powerful aura of brave knights
from the middle ages. from the middle ages.
One of the largest medieval One of the largest medieval
fortresses in the South of France, fortresses in the South of France,
the castle of the castle of Castelnau-Castelnau-
Bretenoux , Bretenoux , stands guard over stands guard over
the river.the river.
The lifestyle and culture of the The lifestyle and culture of the
Dordogne valley attracts both Dordogne valley attracts both
visitors and incomers from all over visitors and incomers from all over
France, but also from many other France, but also from many other
countries, particularly Britain and countries, particularly Britain and
Germany.Germany.
The main season for tourism in The main season for tourism in
this valley starts from June and this valley starts from June and
continues till late September.continues till late September.

14. The Rhine is one of the longest The Rhine is one of the longest
and the most important rivers in and the most important rivers in
Europe and is Europe and is 1,230 kilometres1,230 kilometres
long.long.
The Rhine flows through six The Rhine flows through six
countries - countries - Switzerland, Switzerland,
Principality of Liechtenstein, Principality of Liechtenstein,
Austria, Germany, France Austria, Germany, France and the and the
Netherlands before flowing into the Netherlands before flowing into the
North Sea at Rotterdam.North Sea at Rotterdam.
It is also the border between It is also the border between
Switzerland and Liechtenstein and Switzerland and Liechtenstein and
also the border between Germany also the border between Germany
and France.and France.
The river Rhine begins at The river Rhine begins at
TomaseeTomasee, a lake in the , a lake in the
canton of canton of GraubündenGraubünden in in
SwitzerlandSwitzerland..

15. Northeastern France drains to Northeastern France drains to
the Rhine via the the Rhine via the MoselleMoselle; smaller ; smaller
rivers drain the rivers drain the VosgesVosges and and JuraJura
mountainsmountains..
The Rhine is heavily populated. The Rhine is heavily populated.
Around 50 million people live Around 50 million people live
along its banks in a number of along its banks in a number of
major cities.major cities.
The major cities are all situated The major cities are all situated
on the Rhine or on its larger on the Rhine or on its larger
tributaries and the development tributaries and the development
of these cities is strongly of these cities is strongly
dependent on water. dependent on water.
The Rhine is an important The Rhine is an important
waterway. Every year the river waterway. Every year the river
transports transports 40 million tons 40 million tons of of
cargo by barge and ocean-going cargo by barge and ocean-going
vessels. vessels.
Rhine is navigable by Rhine is navigable by
pleasure boats right up to pleasure boats right up to
RhinefeldenRhinefelden in Switzerland. in Switzerland.
The Rhine valley is also an The Rhine valley is also an
important wine producing important wine producing
region. region.