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France is one of the most famous and frequently visited countries. It has a long history full of both wars and cultural achievements.
However, not only the country as a whole, but also each of its rivers has a history. About the longest rivers of France is written in this material.
The length of some streams is more than indicated in the article, since their length on the territory of the country is written here.
10 Vilen, 225 km
Western river Wilen is part of the British canal system and crosses 4 major cities – Rennes, Vitrée, Redon and La Roche-Bernard.
The sources of the river lie in Mayenne, and it goes out into the Atlantic Ocean. Vilen is a fairly full-flowing river, so three dams were built in the city of Vitre – to prevent floods and for water supply.
From Rennes to the Atlantic Ocean, small ships pass through the reservoir.
9. Somme, 263 km
Somme flows for the most part in the north and flows into the English Channel. At the foot of the river there are 7 cities.
The Somme is a calm navigable body of water fed by rain. The channel is regulated by a system of canals and locks built back in 1843.
The Somme is of historical importance. In 1916, the Entente troops advanced along this river. In 1918, a military pilot known as the Red Baron died near the reservoir. A department of France is named after the Somme.
8. Adur, 309 km
In the Duchy of Gascony, the word “Adur” so “a source”, and “Adorgar” – “irrigate”.
The sources of the ancient river lie at the confluence of three mountain streams – Adour de Grippe, de Peykol and de Lesson.
The river is fed by snow and rain, so it rises noticeably in spring. From the city of Tarbes, it windingly reaches the department of Landes, after which it flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
The Adur is one of those rare rivers in Europe where salmon spawning grounds still remain. In the XNUMXth century, the chronicler Jean Freussart called Adour “beautiful river Lisse“. However, the reservoir retained its true name even after that.
7. Charente, 381 km
Like many rivers in France, Charente flows into the Bay of Biscay of the Atlantic Ocean. In length, the reservoir occupies almost a quarter of the whole of France.
The most full-flowing Charente in winter and spring, because it is partly fed by snow. The flat river in the region of Angouleme forms many branches and islands.
Behind Angouleme, the Charente becomes calm, and ships can be sent along it. Trout, pike, pike perch, river perch and carp live in its waters.
Even in the times of Rome, the first ports were formed on the river, so it was an important transport route.
Until the XNUMXth century, cargo was delivered from the Atlantic Ocean to the center of France. Sea shipping ceased after the construction of the railways.
However, in the 1970s it was decided to resume navigation on the Charente. In addition, today canoeing and kayaking is available in the river and its tributaries.
6. Dordon, 483 km
big river Dordogne in southern France – one of the few, which is characterized by ebb and flow.
The mouth of the Dordogne is located near the tourist town of Mont Dora, so the picturesque landscapes of the river valley are very popular with visitors.
The coat of arms of the city of Dordogne depicts a boar’s head. It is said that the name “Dordogne” translates roughly as “a muddy puddle in which wild boars wallow».
Once upon a time, there were many wild boars near the river, and the nobles loved to hunt here. Technological progress has changed the city beyond recognition – from a quiet place, it has turned into a point with highly developed technologies and the tourism industry.
In Dordogne, the Romanesque church of Sainte-Marie of the XNUMXth-XNUMXth centuries, old columns, bas-reliefs and frescoes in the Romano-Byzantine style have been preserved.
5. Meuse (Maas), 486 km
In France and Holland this river is called Meuse, in Belgium – Maas. The source of all these names is the Celtic word Mus, which means “dampness, moisture».
The river is fed by rain and melt water, so in spring the water level in the Meuse rises by 5-8 m.
For two thousand years, the Meuse demarcated states. Many great battles took place on the banks of the river.
During World War II, the river turned purple with blood – the famous Meuse-Rhine operation took place on its banks. During the operation in February 1945, 30 thousand people died.
The Germans blew up the locks in the tributary of the river, a large area was flooded. However, after the military operation, Germany lost all the land in the west of the Rhine River.
Vessels have always sailed along the Meuse. The current is so controlled that even XNUMX-meter barges can move up the river.
4. Garonne, 523 km
Garonne flows into the Bay of Biscay. There, on the coast, stretches a long beach with sand like dust.
Journalists call this place “Silver Coast” is a well-known vacation spot. Near Bordeaux, the river reaches a kilometer in width.
For centuries, travel around the Garonne was the safest and fastest. Under Louis XIV, the South Canal was built on the river. At that time it was the most ambitious project. Later, the South Channel will be a World Heritage Site.
The banks of the river and the cities surrounding it became the cradle of great artists and other people who glorified France.
3. Rhone, 545 km
The name of the river was given by the Celts – “Rhone Great River“. The name stuck among the Greeks, and later the Romans called the reservoir Rodanus.
Ron – almost a mountain river, three-quarters of the reservoir is located in the mountains. Near the source of the Rhone is the Grimsel Pass, because of which in the XNUMXth-XNUMXth centuries there were long battles between the French and Austrians near the river.
In the upper reaches of the Rhone, it forms the freshwater Lake Geneva – the largest lake in the Alps, the border between France and Switzerland.
The first people lived in the river valley. Paleolithic drawings have been preserved in the caves. The Rhone has always been one of the most important trade waterways.
However, until the XNUMXth century, moving around the reservoir was not easy due to powerful currents. Everything changed with the advent of the first steamboats and bypass channels.
Today, the flow of the river is regulated, the locks work during the day – at night, a special request is made for movement.
2. Seine, 776 km
The course of this river is very meandering, especially below Paris, where it forks and forms islands. In antiquity Sena called “Sequana”. Perhaps the word comes from the Celtic “calm river».
The whole area was inhabited by Celtic tribes. In ancient Rome, this place became strategically important for the Romans, who were trying to conquer the local tribes.
In the Middle Ages, the Seine was a natural border between fiefs.
It was not safe to float cargo on the river – the ships were constantly robbed. In addition, there was the problem of shallow water, which was solved only in 1840.
The deepening of the river made it possible to get rid of the unusually large tidal waves that caused the floods. However, this did not save the population from floods.
Today, after the flood in 1910, there are protective dams along the river.
1. Loire, 1012 km
Loire became the center of cultural development in France. The river valley remembers the Renaissance, great artists, kings, remembers wars and social evenings.
There are guided tours in more than a hundred castles. Leonardo da Vinci himself is buried in the Clos Luce castle.
For centuries, the “royal river” has been France’s most important waterway. Today, the Loire also remains a navigable river. But modern ships have become noticeably larger than medieval ones, so their movement on water has become more limited.
The river valley is not for nothing called “Garden of France“. The banks of the Loire are extremely fertile and enjoy a favorable climate. Therefore, famous wines, cheeses and fruits are produced here. It becomes clear why the Loire Valley is included in the UNESCO list.