<펌>Dordogne (river)

Dordogne (river)

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For the département, see Dordogne.

This article may be expanded with text translated from the corresponding article in French. (July 2014) Click [show] for important translation instructions.

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The Dordogne in Périgord, near Castelnaud-la-Chapelle

Location of the Dordogne in France

La Dordogne : Native Name

France  : Country

Physical characteristics Source

Massif Central  :location

1,720 m (5,640 ft) : • elevation

Gironde estuary Mouth

45°2′29″N 0°36′24″WCoordinates: 45°2′29″N 0°36′24″W

483 km (300 mi) :Length

23,870 km2 (9,220 sq mi) Basin size

Discharge

450 m3/s (16,000 cu ft/s) : average

 

The Dordogne (French pronunciation: [dɔʁdɔɲ] (listen); Occitan: Dordonha) is a river in south-central and southwest France. It is 483.1 km (300.2 mi) long.[1] The Dordogne and its watershed were designated Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO on July 11 2012.[2]

 

 

Contents

• 1 Geography
• 2 Nature
• 3 Course
• 4 Tributaries
• 5 Activities
• 6 Dams
• 7 References
• 8 External links

 

Geography

 

The river rises on the flanks of the Puy de Sancy at 1,885 metres (6,184 ft) above sea level in the mountains of Auvergne, from the confluence of two small torrents above the town of Le Mont-Dore: the Dore and the Dogne. It flows generally west about 500 kilometres (310 mi) through the Limousin and Périgord regions before flowing into the Gironde, its common estuary with the Garonne, at the Bec d'Ambès ("Ambès beak"), north of the city of Bordeaux.

 

Nature

 

Canoeing on the Dordogne

 

The Dordogne is one of the few rivers in the world that exhibit the phenomenon of a tidal bore, known as a mascaret.[3]

 

The upper valley of the Dordogne is a series of deep gorges. The cliffs, steep banks, fast flowing water and high bridges attract both walkers and drivers. In several places the river is dammed to form long, deep lakes. Camp sites and holiday homes have proliferated wherever the valley floor is wide enough to accommodate them.

Below Argentat and around Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, the valley widens to accommodate fertile farmland, well-watered pasture and orchards. In the towns, which are major tourist attractions because of their history and architecture, the quaysides are lined with eating and drinking places. In Périgord, the valley widens further to encompass one of France's main gastronomic regions, with vineyards, poultry farms and truffle-rich woodlands.

 

The main season for tourism in the Valley of the Dordogne is from June to September, with July and August being high season. The lifestyle and culture of the Dordogne valley attract both visitors and incomers from all over France, but also from many other countries, particularly Britain and Germany.

 

Course

 

The Dordogne at Argentat in Corrèze, part of the Limousin region

The départements of France through which the Dordogne runs, together with some towns in those départements that are on or quite near the river, are as follows:

• The département of Puy-de-Dôme – The towns of Le Mont-Dore (near the source of the river) and La Bourboule;
• The département of Corrèze – The towns of Argentat, Bort-les-Orgues, and Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne;
• The département of Lot – The towns of Souillac, Pinsac, Lacave, Meyronne, Creysse, Montvalent, Martel, Floirac, Carennac, Gintrac, Tauriac and Prudhomat;
• The département of Dordogne – The towns of Beynac-et-Cazenac, Sarlat, Saint-Cyprien, and Bergerac;
• The département of Gironde – The towns of Sainte-Foy-la-Grande and Libourne.

 

Tributaries

 

The Dordogne in the Périgord

 

Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne and Dordogne view from Altillac

 

Beynac-et-Cazenac

 

Main tributaries from source to mouth:[1]

• (R) Chavanon;
• (L) Rhue;
• (R) Diège;
• (L) Sumène;
• (R) Triouzoune;
• (L) Auze;
• (R) Luzège;
• (R) Doustre;
• (L) Maronne;
• (L) Cère;
• (R) Sourdoire;
• (L) Ouysse;
• (L) Céou;
• (R) Vézère along which many of the great prehistoric caves of Southwest France are located;
• (R) Isle;
• (L) Laurence.

N.B. : (R) = right tributary; (L) = left tributary

 

Activities

 

Aside from the usual activities such as tennis and golf available in many areas of France, there are a number of water-related activities related to the Dordogne, including:

• Fishing, an age-old pastime for the locals and for visitors;
• Canoeing and kayaking, very popular (canoes & kayaks are easy to rent);
• Boating in a Gabare (a traditional skiff peculiar to the Dordogne);
• Rafting;
• Swimming;
• Motorboating;
• Sailing;
• Rowing and sculling;
• Water skiing.

Dams

 

Barrage du Chastang

• Marèges Dam
• Dam at Bort-les-Orgues
• Barrage de l'Aigle (The Eagle Dam)
• Dam at Argentat
• Dam at Bergerac
• Dam at Chastang
• Dam at Mauzac
• Barrage de Tuilières

References