Dordogne River
Encyclopedia
- See also Dordogne départementDordogneDordogne is a départment in south-west France. The départment is located in the region of Aquitaine, between the Loire valley and the High Pyrénées named after the great river Dordogne that runs through it...
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The Dordogne is a river in south-central and southwest France.
Name
Contrary to appearances, the name of the Dordogne is not a recent word resulting from the names of the Dore and the Dogne. It comes from an ancient Durānius, dérived from a Pre-CelticPre-Celtic
The term pre-Celtic refers to the period in the prehistory of Central and Western Europe postdating the emergence of Proto-Celtic and predating the expansion of the Celts, or Celtic culture, in the course of the earlier Iron Age . The area involved is that of the maximum extent of Celtic languages...
root dur-, dor- (as the Durance
Durance
The Durance is a major river in south-eastern France.Its source is in the south-western Alps, in Montgenèvre ski resort near Briançon and it flows south-west through the following départements and cities:* Hautes-Alpes: Briançon, Embrun.* Alpes-de-Haute-Provence: Sisteron, Manosque.* Vaucluse:...
).
The medieval forms adopted a redoubled suffix -ononia : Dorononia fluvius (sixth century), Dornonia (eighth century) that evolves in Dordonia (ninth century) by a phenomenon of dissimilation
Dissimilation
In phonology, particularly within historical linguistics, dissimilation is a phenomenon whereby similar consonant or vowel sounds in a word become less similar...
, giving the impression of an etymology *Dore-Dogne.
Geography
Puy de Sancy
Puy de Sancy is the highest mountain in the Massif Central and therefore the highest mountain in central France ....
(1 885 m) in the mountains of Auvergne
Auvergne (province)
Auvergne was a historic province in south central France. It was originally the feudal domain of the Counts of Auvergne. It is now the geographical and cultural area that corresponds to the former province....
, from the confluence of two small torrents above the town of Mont-Dore
Mont-Dore
Le Mont-Dore , formerly called Mont-Dore-les-Bains, is a commune in the Puy-de-Dôme department in Auvergne in central France.-Geography:...
: the Dore and the Dogne. It flows generally west about 500 km through the Limousin
Limousin (région)
Limousin is one of the 27 regions of France. It is composed of three départements: Corrèze, Creuse and the Haute-Vienne.Situated largely in the Massif Central, as of January 1st 2008, the Limousin comprised 740,743 inhabitants on nearly 17 000 km2, making it the second least populated region of...
and Périgord
Périgord
The Périgord is a former province of France, which corresponds roughly to the current Dordogne département, now forming the northern part of the Aquitaine région. It is divided into four regions, the Périgord Noir , the Périgord Blanc , the Périgord Vert and the Périgord Pourpre...
regions before flowing into the Gironde
Gironde
For the Revolutionary party, see Girondists.Gironde is a common name for the Gironde estuary, where the mouths of the Garonne and Dordogne rivers merge, and for a department in the Aquitaine region situated in southwest France.-History:...
, its common estuary
Estuary
An estuary is a partly enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea....
with the Garonne
Garonne
The Garonne is a river in southwest France and northern Spain, with a length of .-Source:The Garonne's headwaters are to be found in the Aran Valley in the Pyrenees, though three different locations have been proposed as the true source: the Uelh deth Garona at Plan de Beret , the Ratera-Saboredo...
, at the "Ambès
Ambès
Ambès is a commune in the Gironde department in southwestern France.It is located at the point, the Bec d'Ambès , where the rivers Garonne and Dordogne meet to form the Gironde estuary....
beak", in the north of the city of Bordeaux
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France.The Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, has a population of 1,010,000 and constitutes the sixth-largest urban area in France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture...
.
Nature
The Dordogne is one of the few rivers in the world that exhibits the phenomenon known as a tidal boreTidal bore
A tidal bore is a tidal phenomenon in which the leading edge of the incoming tide forms a wave of water that travel up a river or narrow bay against the direction of the river or bay's current...
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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
Argentat
Argentat is a commune in the Corrèze department in central France.-Geography:Argentat is situated on the Dordogne River, to the south west of Bort-les-Orgues. It is the point where the Maronne, a tributary of the Dordogne, converges with the famous river...
and around Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne is a commune in the Corrèze department in the Limousin regionof central France. Beaulieu is a medieval city, originally dominated by its great abbey of St Pierre, of which only the abbey church remains.-Abbey:...
, 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
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
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 attracts both visitors and incomers from all over France, but also from many other countries, particularly Britain and Germany.
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Course
The départements of France through which the Dordogne River runs, together with some towns in those départements that are on or quite near the River, are as follows:- The of Puy-de-DômePuy-de-DômePuy-de-Dôme is a department in the centre of France named after the famous dormant volcano, the Puy-de-Dôme.Inhabitants were called Puydedomois until December 2005...
- the towns of Mont-DoreMont-DoreLe Mont-Dore , formerly called Mont-Dore-les-Bains, is a commune in the Puy-de-Dôme department in Auvergne in central France.-Geography:...
(near the source of the River), La BourbouleLa BourbouleLa Bourboule is commune in the Puy-de-Dôme department in Auvergne in central France.-References:*... - The of CorrèzeCorrèzeCorrèze is a department in south central France, named after the Corrèze River.The inhabitants of the department are called Corréziens or Corréziennes according to gender.-History:...
- the towns of ArgentatArgentatArgentat is a commune in the Corrèze department in central France.-Geography:Argentat is situated on the Dordogne River, to the south west of Bort-les-Orgues. It is the point where the Maronne, a tributary of the Dordogne, converges with the famous river...
, Bort-les-OrguesBort-les-OrguesBort-les-Orgues is a commune in the Corrèze department in central France.- Geography :Bort-les-Orgues is situated on the Dordogne River.The river Rhue forms part of the commune's southeastern border, then flows into the Dordogne....
, and Beaulieu-sur-DordogneBeaulieu-sur-DordogneBeaulieu-sur-Dordogne is a commune in the Corrèze department in the Limousin regionof central France. Beaulieu is a medieval city, originally dominated by its great abbey of St Pierre, of which only the abbey church remains.-Abbey:... - The of LotLot (département)Lot is a department in the southwest of France named after the Lot River.- History :Lot is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790. It was created from part of the province of Languedoc. In 1808, some of the original southeastern cantons were...
- The towns of SouillacSouillac, LotSouillac is a commune in the Lot department in south-western France, on the river Dordogne. It is the site of the new Brive – Souillac Airport, that opened in 2010. The abbey has famous Romanesque carvings....
, PinsacPinsacPinsac is a commune in the Lot department in south-western France....
, LacaveLacave, LotLacave is a commune in the Lot department in south-western France....
, MeyronneMeyronneMeyronne is a commune in the Lot department in south-western France....
, CreysseCreysse, LotCreysse is a commune in the Lot department in south-western France....
, MontvalentMontvalentMontvalent is a commune in the Lot department in south-western France.-Geography:Montvalent is located in the north of the Lot. It is situated on the D840 between the towns of Martel and Gramat...
, Gluges, FloiracFloirac, LotFloirac is a commune in the Lot department in south-western France.-Geography:Floirac has a surface of 19,02 km² and has 268 inhabitants , which makes a population density of 14 inhabitants per km². The coordinates are 44° 55' N and 1° 39' E. The altitude varies between 90 und 345 meters...
, CarennacCarennacCarennac is a commune in the Lot department in south-western France.Carennac belongs to the historical region of Quercy.A village lies in the fertile valley of the Dordogne River, nestled under the barren, parched plateau locally named 'le Causse'...
GintracGintracGintrac is a commune in the Lot department in south-western France....
, TauriacTauriac, LotTauriac is a commune in the Lot department in south-western France....
and PrudhomatPrudhomatPrudhomat is a commune in the Lot department in south-western France.The Château de Castelnau-Bretenoux is located in Prudhomat.... - The of DordogneDordogneDordogne is a départment in south-west France. The départment is located in the region of Aquitaine, between the Loire valley and the High Pyrénées named after the great river Dordogne that runs through it...
- The towns of Beynac-et-CazenacBeynac-et-CazenacBeynac-et-Cazenac is a commune in the Dordogne department in southwestern France.The medieval Château de Beynac is located in the commune.The village is classified as one of Les plus beaux villages de France ....
, SarlatSarlat-la-CanédaSarlat-la-Canéda , or simply Sarlat, is a commune in the Dordogne department in Aquitaine in southwestern France.Sarlat is one of the most attractive and alluring towns in southwestern France.-Geography:...
, Saint-CyprienSaint-Cyprien, DordogneSaint-Cyprien is a commune in the Dordogne department in Aquitaine in southwestern France.It serves as the seat of the canton of Saint-Cyprien. It is the most populous commune in the canton.-Population:-External links:* *...
, and BergeracBergerac, DordogneBergerac is a commune and a sub-prefecture of the Dordogne department in southwestern France.-Population:-Economy:The region is primarily known for wine and tobacco... - The of GirondeGirondeFor the Revolutionary party, see Girondists.Gironde is a common name for the Gironde estuary, where the mouths of the Garonne and Dordogne rivers merge, and for a department in the Aquitaine region situated in southwest France.-History:...
- the towns of Sainte-Foy-la-GrandeSainte-Foy-la-GrandeSainte-Foy-la-Grande is a commune in the Gironde department in Aquitaine in southwestern France.-Population:-Personalities:It was the birthplace of:* Paul Broca, surgeon and anthropologist* Élisée Reclus, geographer-References:*...
and LibourneLibourneLibourne is a commune in the Gironde department in Aquitaine in southwestern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.It is the wine-making capital of northern Gironde and lies near Saint-Émilion and Pomerol.-Geography:...
Tributaries
- (R) ChavanonChavanonThe Chavanon is a long river in the Creuse, Puy-de-Dôme and Corrèze départements, central France. Its source is in Crocq. It flows generally southeast...
- (L) Rhue River
- (R) DiègeDiègeThe Diège is a long river in the Corrèze département, south central France. Its source is at Saint-Setiers, on the plateau de Millevaches, in the parc naturel régional de Millevaches en Limousin. It flows generally southeast...
- (L) Sumène
- (R) TriouzouneTriouzouneThe Triouzoune is a long river in the Corrèze département, south-central France. Its source is on the Plateau de Millevaches, north of la Rigaudie, a hamlet in Saint-Sulpice-les-Bois. It flows generally south-southeast...
- (L) Auze
- (R) LuzègeLuzègeThe Luzège is a long river in the Corrèze département, south-central France. Its source is on the Plateau de Millevaches, in Meymac, north-northwest of the town. It flows generally south...
- (R) Doustre
- (L) MaronneMaronneThe Maronne is a long river in the Cantal and Corrèze départements, in south central France. Its source is several small streams joining near Récusset,a hamlet in Saint-Paul-de-Salers. It flows generally west...
- (L) CèreCèreThe Cère is a long river in south-western France, left tributary of the Dordogne River. Its source is in the south-western Massif Central, near the mountain Plomb du Cantal...
- (R) Sourdoire
- (L) Ouysse
- (L) CéouCéouThe Céou is a long river in the Lot and Dordogne départements, southwestern France. Its source is at Séniergues, southwest of Rocamadour. It flows generally northwest...
- (R) VézèreVézèreThe Vézère is a 211 km long river in south-western France, right tributary of the Dordogne River. Its source is in the north-western Massif Central...
along which many of the great prehistoric caves of Southwest France are located - (R) IsleIsle RiverThe Isle is a 255 km long river in south-western France, right tributary of the Dordogne. Its source is in the north-western Massif Central, near the town Nexon . It flows south-west through the following départements and towns:...
- (L) Laurence
N.B. : (R) = right tributary; (L) = left tributary
Activities on the River
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 River, including:- FishingFishingFishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, an age-old pastime for the locals and for visitors - CanoeingCanoeingCanoeing is an outdoor activity that involves a special kind of canoe.Open canoes may be 'poled' , sailed, 'lined and tracked' or even 'gunnel-bobbed'....
and kayakingKayakingKayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. Kayaking and canoeing are also known as paddling. Kayaking is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle...
, very popular (canoes & kayaks are easy to rent) - BoatingBoatingBoating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether powerboats, sailboats, or man-powered vessels , focused on the travel itself, as well as sports activities, such as fishing or water skiing...
in a Gabare (a traditional skiff peculiar to the Dordogne) - RaftingRaftingRafting or white water rafting is a challenging recreational outdoor activity using an inflatable raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. This is usually done on white water or different degrees of rough water, in order to thrill and excite the raft passengers. The development of this...
- Swimming
- MotorboatingMotorboatingMotorboating is one of many problems that can afflict radio transmitters and similar devices. Radio transmitters are vulnerable to unwanted feedback; one possible symptom of unwanted feedback are rapid changes in power output, which repeats about 20 to 20,000 times per second; this is called...
- SailingSailingSailing is the propulsion of a vehicle and the control of its movement with large foils called sails. By changing the rigging, rudder, and sometimes the keel or centre board, a sailor manages the force of the wind on the sails in order to move the boat relative to its surrounding medium and...
- RowingSport rowingRowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
and scullingScullingSculling generally refers to a method of using oars to propel watercraft in which the oar or oars touch the water on both the port and starboard sides of the craft, or over the stern... - Waterskiing
Sources
- Entry to the Dordogne in Wikipédia, l'encyclopédie libre
- The Best of Dordogne Guide to tourism in the Valley of the Dordogne (the Périgord)
- http://www.geoportail.fr
- The Dordogne at the Sandre database
- The Dordogne Valley in the Lot department (website in french)
- Chambres d'Hotes (B&B) on the Dordogne River (website in english and french)