Dordogne (river)

For the département, see Dordogne.

The Dordogne (French pronunciation: [dɔʁdɔɲ] ^ⓘ; 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 11 July 2012.^[2]

Dordogne
The Dordogne in Périgord, near Castelnaud-la-Chapelle
Location of the Dordogne in France
Native name	La Dordogne (French)
Location
Country	France
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Massif Central
• elevation	1,720 m (5,640 ft)
Mouth
• location	Gironde estuary
• coordinates	45°2′29″N 0°36′24″W
Length	483 km (300 mi)
Basin size	23,870 km2 (9,220 sq mi)
Discharge
• average	450 m3/s (16,000 cu ft/s)
Basin features
Progression	Gironde estuary→ Atlantic Ocean

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^[a] and the Dogne. It flows generally west nearly 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.

Etymology

Despite appearances, the name Dordogne is not actually a portmanteau of Dore and Dogne.^[b] The name instead comes from the ancient Durānius^[c], likely derived from Doranonia, composed from the Indo-European root *dhu‑ro‑ (from *dʰew-, "to run, flow") and two suffixes: ‑ano‑, to which ‑onia was appended.^[3]

Influenced by the suffix ‑onna, which is found in many river names, medieval forms adopted a reduplicated suffix ‑ononia: Dorononia fluvius^[d] (6^th century), Dornonia (8^th century), which evolved into Dordonia^[4] (9^th century) through a process of dissimilation, thus presenting the false impression of a Dore-Dogne etymology. Aimoin of Fleury is the first known author to have used the name Dordonia.^[5]

In Occitan, the river is known as Dordonha.^[6]

Nature

The Dordogne is one of the few rivers in the world that exhibit the phenomenon of a tidal bore, known as a mascaret.^[7]

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 Dordogne runs through six départements and 173 communes.^[1] Some of the main towns along its course, listed by département from source to mouth, are as follows:

• Puy-de-Dôme – Le Mont-Dore (near the source of the river), La Bourboule and Saint-Sauves-d'Auvergne;
• Cantal – Lanobre and Champagnac;
• Corrèze – Bort-les-Orgues, Neuvic, Argentat and Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne;
• Lot – Bétaille, Vayrac, Martel and Souillac;
• Dordogne – Saint-Cyprien, Le Buisson-de-Cadouin, Lalinde, Mouleydier, Creysse, Bergerac, Prigonrieux and Gardonne;
• Gironde – Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, Castillon-la-Bataille, Libourne, Fronsac, Cubzac-les-Ponts, Saint-André-de-Cubzac and Bourg.

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;
• (L) Bave;
• (R) Sourdoire;
• (L) Ouysse;
• (L) Céou;
• (R) Vézère;
• (L) Couze;
• (R) Caudeau;
• (R) Lidoire;
• (R) Isle.

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

Activities

Canoeing on the Dordogne

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

Footnotes

1. Not to be confused with Dore, a tributary of the Allier.
2. Unlike, for instance, the Midouze, which takes its name from its precursors, the Midou and the Douze.
3. Sidonius Apollinaris
4. Gregory of Tours