Rivers of France

The Rivers of France

France has several major rivers. Four of these great rivers lie entirely within French territory. An extensive network of connects these major rivers with each other and with other river and canal systems. The rivers in France are mostly used for tourism and trade. One of the major ports in France is Le Havre at the mouth of the Seine on the English Channel. The rivers in France are very important to the country's economy. These rivers are also important to travel in and out of France.

The Seine, in northern France, drains much of the Paris Basin and flows northwest into the Atlantic Ocean. The Seine's even flow is well suited for navigation. The river is an important water route to and from Paris. The Seine has been of great importance since Roman times, and is linked by canals to the Loire, Rhine, and RhÐ"Ò'ne rivers. Downstream from Paris are industrial plants and petroleum refineries.

The Loire rises in the Massif Central, flows west across the southern portion of the Paris Basin, and enters the Atlantic Ocean at the Bay of Biscay. The Loire's water level fluctuates greatly, and floods are frequent. Stretching more than 620 miles, the Loire is the longest river in France. The Loire has an irregular flow which leads to the sudden floods. Much of the river is lined by levees, to keep flooding under control. Formerly, commercial navigation along the Loire and the canals that connect it with the RhÐ"Ò'ne and Seine river systems was very important to the prosperity of the surrounding region. Today, however, the valley of the Loire is famous for its chateaus, especially those of Chambord, Chenonceaux, Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, and Chinon.

The Garonne rises in the Pyrenees and flows north, draining much of the Aquitane Basin. Although the river is navigable only on its lower course, the Canal du Midi links it at Toulouse with the Mediterranean.

The Dordogne rises in the Massif Central and flows west, joining the Garonne to form the Gironde estuary, just before the Atlantic. The river's waters feed some of France's richest agricultural lands around PÐ"©rigord to its north. On its southern side, the limestone causse is not so lush but there are treasures of a different kind: underground chasms and grottoes, and some of the finest medieval religious architecture in France. The many castles and fortified towns