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The Méouge (French pronunciation: [meuʒ]; Occitan: Mèuja) is a 39-kilometre (24 mi) river in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur regions of the south of France. It rises in the Drôme near the town of Séderon and crosses into the Hautes-Alpes at Barret-sur-Méouge where it carves the spectacular tourist attraction, the Gorges de la Méouge, through the limestone platform. Near the communities of Châteauneuf-de-Chabre and Antonaves it joins the river Buëch which in turn flows into the Durance and the Rhône.[1] Its drainage basin is 229 km2 (88 sq mi).[2]
Méouge | |
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![]() Méouge | |
![]() Course of the Méouge | |
Location | |
Country | France |
Physical characteristics | |
Source | |
• location | Séderon, Drôme |
• elevation | 960 m (3,150 ft) |
Mouth | Buëch |
• location | Châteauneuf-de-Chabre, Hautes-Alpes |
• coordinates | 44°15′46″N 5°49′39″E |
• elevation | 530 m (1,740 ft) |
Length | 39.6 km (24.6 mi)[1] |
Basin size | 229 km2 (88 sq mi) |
Basin features | |
Progression | Buëch→ Durance→ Rhône→ Mediterranean Sea |
The "Gorges de la Méouge" is a 7-kilometre (4.3 mi) long gorge carved by the Méouge though the mesozoic limestone rock of the Hautes-Alpes in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. The lime colored gorge has wild shapes, small sandy beaches, huge polished pebbles, water holes and waterfalls. It is famous for swimming. The medieval bridge of Châteauneuf de Chabre is classified as a historical monument. The gorges are also classified Natural Areas of Ecological Interest, Fauna and Flora whose flora and fauna are protected.[1] [3] [4] [5] [6]
In both departments of Hautes-Alpes (05) and Drôme (26), the Méouge passes through eleven communities and two cantons. These include : Barret-de-Lioure (source), Séderon, Vers-sur-Méouge, Eygalayes, Lachau, Ballons, Salérans, Barret-sur-Méouge, Saint-Pierre-Avez, Châteauneuf-de-Chabre, Antonaves (confluence).[1]
The Méouge has approximately 30 tributaries :[1]
The Méouge watershed has an area of 229 square kilometres (88 sq mi) (by SANDRE) and 225 square kilometres (87 sq mi) (by SIEM 7). It covers 14 municipalities and between 1,500 and 2,000 residents, mostly living in the municipalities of the Canton of Ribiers.[1][7]