France is one of the most famous and frequently visited countries. She has a long history, full of both wars and cultural achievements.
However, history has not only the country as a whole, but also each of its rivers. About the longest rivers of France is written in this material.
The length of some flows is greater than indicated in the article, since their length is written here on the territory of the country.
List
- 10. Vilen, 225 km
- 9. Somme, 263 km
- 8. Adur, 309 km
- 7. Charente, 381 km
- 6. Dordogne, 483 km
- 5. Meuse (Meuse), 486 km
- 4. Garonne, 523 km
- 3. Rhone, 545 km
- 2. Seine, 776 km
- 1. Loire, 1012 km
10. Vilen, 225 km
West river Vilen It is part of the British Channel system and crosses 4 major cities - Rennes, Vitre, Redon and La Roche-Bernard.
The origins of the river lie in Mayen, and it goes into the Atlantic Ocean. Vilen is a rather full-flowing river, so three dams were built in the city of Vitra - to avoid flooding and for water supply.
Small ships pass from Rennes to the Atlantic Ocean.
9. Somme, 263 km
Somma It flows mostly 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 pond, fed by rains. The channel is regulated by a system of canals and locks built back in 1843.
Somme has historical significance. In 1916, Entente troops advanced along this river. In 1918, a military pilot known as the Red Baron was killed near a reservoir. In honor of the Somme, the Department of France is named.
8. Adur, 309 km
In the duchy of Gascony, the word Adur mean "source", and Adorgar - “Irrigate”.
The origins of the ancient river lie at the confluence of three mountain streams - Adur de Gripp, de Peikol 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 Landa, after which it flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
Adur is one of those rare rivers in Europe where salmon spawning grounds still remain. In the 14th century, the chronicler Jean Freussart called Adur "beautiful river lisse". However, the reservoir and after that has retained its true name.
7. Charente, 381 km
Like many rivers of France, Charente flows into the Bay of Biscay of the Atlantic Ocean. In length, the reservoir occupies almost a quarter of all France.
The most full-flowing Charente in winter and spring, because it is partly fed from snow. The flat river in the Angouleme region forms many branches and islands.
Behind the Angouleme Charente, it becomes calm, and you can send a ship along it. Its waters are inhabited by trout, pike, pike perch, river perch and carp.
Even in Roman times, the first ports formed on the river, so it was an important transport route.
Until the 19th century, goods were delivered from the Atlantic Ocean to the center of France. Sea delivery stopped after the construction of railways.
However, in the 1970s, it was decided to resume shipping on Charente. In addition, canoeing and kayaking are available in the river and its tributaries today.
6. Dordogne, 483 km
Big river Dordogne in southern France - one of the few that are characterized by ebbs and flows.
The mouth of the Dordogne is located near the tourist town of Mont-Dore, so the picturesque landscapes of the river valley are very popular among visitors.
The emblem of the city of Dordogne shows a boar's head. It is said that the name "Dordogne" translates roughly as "dirty puddle in which wild boars lie».
Once upon a time there were many wild boars, and the nobles loved to hunt here. Technical 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 XI-XII centuries, old columns, bas-reliefs and frescoes in the Roman-Byzantine style have been preserved.
5. Meuse (Meuse), 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 in translation means "dampness, moisture».
The river is fed by rain and meltwater, so in spring the water level in Meuse rises by 5-8 m.
Two thousand years, the Meuse delimited the state. Many great battles took place on the banks of the river.
During World War II, the river became crimson with blood - the famous Maas Rhine operation took place on its banks. During the operation in February 1945, 30 thousand people died.
The Germans blew up the floodgates in the tributary of the river, a large territory was flooded. However, after the military operation, Germany lost all land west of the Rhine River.
The ship always sailed along the Meuse. The flow is so controlled that even one hundred meter barges can climb 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»- a famous holiday destination. Near Bordeaux, the river reaches a kilometer wide.
For centuries, traveling around the Garonne has been the safest and fastest. Under Louis XIV, the South Channel 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 surrounding cities became the cradle of great artists and other people who glorified France.
3. Rhone, 545 km
The name was given to the river by the Celts - “Rona Great River". The name was fixed among the Greeks, and later the Romans called the reservoir Rodanus.
Rona - almost a mountain river, in the mountains there are three quarters of a reservoir. Near the source of the Rhone is the Grimsel Pass, because of which, in the XVII-XIX centuries, long battles between the French and Austrians took place near the river.
In the upper reaches of the Rhone it forms a freshwater Lake Geneva - the largest lake in the Alps, the border between France and Switzerland.
The first people lived in the river valley. The caves preserved drawings of the Paleolithic era. The Rhone has always been one of the most important trade waterways.
However, until the 19th century, moving around a pond was not easy due to powerful currents. Everything changed with the advent of the first parachutes and bypass channels.
Today the river flow is regulated, locks work during the day - at night they make a special request for moving.
2. Seine, 776 km
The channel of this river is very winding, especially below Paris, where it branches and forms islands. In antiquity Hay was called "Sekvan". Perhaps the word came 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 tried to conquer the local tribes.
In the Middle Ages, the Seine was a natural border between feudal possessions.
Rafting cargo along the river was unsafe - ships were constantly robbed. In addition, there was a problem of shallow water, which was solved only in 1840.
The deepening of the river allowed us to get rid of unusually large tidal waves that caused floods. However, this did not save the population from floods.
Today, after a flood in 1910, protective dams stand along the river.
1. Loire, 1012 km
Loire became the center of cultural development of France. The river valley remembers the Renaissance, great artists, kings, remembers wars and secular evenings.
More than a hundred castles offer excursions. Leonardo da Vinci himself is buried in the castle of Clos-Luce.
For centuries, the "royal river" was the most important waterway of France. Today, the Loire also remains a navigable river. But modern ships have become noticeably larger than medieval, so their movement on the water has become more limited.
The river valley is not in vain called "Garden of France". The banks of the Loire are extremely fertile and in a favorable climate. Therefore, famous wines, cheeses and fruits are produced here. It becomes clear why the Loire Valley is on the UNESCO list.