Garonne

The Garonne is the largest river in Southwestern France. It originates in the Spanish Pyrenees as the Garona and flows into France near Bagnères-de-Luchon. Through Saint-Gaudens, it reaches Toulouse. The Garonne, which is still non-navigable, is connected for shipping purposes from here to Castets-en-Dorthe via the Canal Latéral à la Garonne, which runs parallel to the river, leading to Bordeaux. There is a connection to the Mediterranean Sea via the Canal du Midi.


From Bordeaux, which has a large port, the Garonne is also navigable for sea ships. Just past Bordeaux, at the "Bec d'Ambès," the Garonne merges with the Dordogne to form the estuary of the Gironde. This funnel-shaped mouth, nearly 100 km long and up to 10 km wide, flows out into the Atlantic Ocean at Royan.

Wim Hak