Hérault (river)

The Hérault (French pronunciation: [eʁo] ⓘ; Occitan: Erau) is a river in southern France. Its length is 147.6 kilometres (91.7 mi).[1] Its source is on the slopes of Mont Aigoual in the Cévennes mountains. It reaches the Mediterranean Sea near Agde.

Hérault
A bridge and aqueduct over the Hérault near Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, as seen from Pont du Diable
Native nameL'Hérault (French)
Location
CountryFrance
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationMont Aigoual Cévennes
Mouth 
 • location
Mediterranean Sea
 • coordinates
43°16′57″N 3°26′39″E
Length147.6 km (91.7 mi)
Basin size2,900 km2 (1,100 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • average50 m3/s (1,800 cu ft/s)

Name

The river was known in Latin as Arauris (or Araura by Strabo). The name is sometimes considered Pre-Celtic although the element Ara- suggests a Celtic root.[2][3]

Towns
The Hérault, Agde

The Hérault flows through the following departments and towns:

Tributaries
  • Arre
  • Vis
  • Rieutord
  • Buèges
  • Lamalou
  • Lergue
  • Dourbie
  • Boyne
  • Peyne
  • Thongue

The lower reaches of the Hérault, from Bessan to the sea at Agde, are navigable. The lowest 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) are tidal, whilst the next 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) forms part of the Canal du Midi. These two sections of the river are linked to each other, and to the Canal du Midi to the west, by short junction canals and the famous Agde Round Lock.[4][5]

At the upper end of the section of the Hérault used by the Canal du Midi, the Prades Lock provides access to the Canal du Midi to the east. Above this lock, the river is navigable for a further 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) or so.[5]

References
  1. Sandre. "Fiche cours d'eau - L'Hérault (Y2--0200)".
  2. Hubert, Henri (17 June 2013). The Rise of the Celts. Routledge. ISBN 9781136202636 – via Google Books.
  3. "[Falileyev, Alexander] Dictionary of Continental C(BookZZ.org)". docshare.tips. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  4. "Agde – River Herault". Afloat in France. grehanman guides. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
  5. "Canal du Midi". Afloat in France. grehanman guides. Archived from the original on 14 January 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
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