06 - Gironde Estuary
Let’s talk a bit about the river! 647km (402 miles) long, the Garonne’s source can be found in the Spanish Pyrenees, joining the Dordogne river at the “Bec d’Ambès” to form the Gironde estuary, the largest in Europe. Along it are scattered several islands, created by the accumulation of alluvium, the effects of the salt and the current, which also influence the blond colour of the water. One of the least polluted rivers in Europe, many different species of fish can be found in the Garonne, such as eels, lamprey eels, shads, stone bass and European sea sturgeon, a protected species.
The tide travels over 200km upstream, with a tidal range of 5m on average seen in Bordeaux. This phenomenon creates a tidal bore: a succession of waves, sometimes over 1m high. The bore forms once the river narrows, therefore it can’t be seen in Bordeaux. It is however quite spectacular at Saint Pardon de Vayres on the Dordogne river.
Let’s talk a bit about the river! 647km (402 miles) long, the Garonne’s source can be found in the Spanish Pyrenees, joining the Dordogne river at the “Bec d’Ambès” to form the Gironde estuary, the largest in Europe. Along it are scattered several islands, created by the accumulation of alluvium, the effects of the salt and the current, which also influence the blond colour of the water. One of the least polluted rivers in Europe, many different species of fish can be found in the Garonne, such as eels, lamprey eels, shads, stone bass and European sea sturgeon, a protected species.
The tide travels over 200km upstream, with a tidal range of 5m on average seen in Bordeaux. This phenomenon creates a tidal bore: a succession of waves, sometimes over 1m high. The bore forms once the river narrows, therefore it can’t be seen in Bordeaux. It is however quite spectacular at Saint Pardon de Vayres on the Dordogne river.
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.