Ardèche (river)
The Ardèche (French: [aʁdɛʃ] ⓘ; Occitan: Ardecha) is a 125-kilometre (78 mi) long river in south-central France, a right-bank tributary of the River Rhône. Its source is in the Massif Central, near the village of Astet. It flows into the Rhône near Pont-Saint-Esprit, north-west of Orange. The river gives its name to the French department of Ardèche.
| Ardèche | |
|---|---|
The Pont d'Arc over the Ardèche River. | |
| Location | |
| Country | France |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Massif Central |
| • coordinates | 44.7°N 4.04473°E |
| Mouth | |
• location | Rhône |
• coordinates | 44°15′52″N 4°38′53″E |
| Length | 125 km (78 mi) |
| Basin size | 2,430 km2 (940 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • average | 65 m3/s (2,300 cu ft/s) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Rhône→ Mediterranean Sea |
The valley of the Ardèche is very scenic, in particular a 30-kilometre (19 mi) section known as the Ardèche Gorges. The walls of the river here are limestone cliffs up to 300 metres (980 ft) high. A kayak and camping trip down the gorge is not technically difficult and is very popular in the summer. The most famous feature is a natural 60-metre (200 ft) stone arch spanning the river known as the Pont d'Arc (arch bridge).