Gardon
The aqueduct over the Gard ( Pont du Gard)
The Gardon Collias at
The Gardon ( in the lower reaches also Gard) is a river in France, which runs in the Languedoc- Roussillon region. Even in ancient times it was known under the name of Vardo.
Course
The Gardon rises in the municipality of Saint -Martin -de- Lansuscle in the Cevennes National Park. It drains generally in a southeasterly direction and changes in its course several times his name:
- Gardon
- Gardon de Saint -Martin -de- Lansuscle
- Gardon de Mialet
- Gardon d' Anduze
- Gard
He finally ends after 127 kilometers at comps as a right tributary of the Rhône. On his way to the river touches the Lozère and Gard.
Tributaries
Partial name similarities with the main river!
Left tributaries:
- Gardon de Saint- Germain
- Gardon d' Alès
- Droude
- Bourdic
- Alzon
Rights tributaries:
- Gardon de Sainte -Croix
- Gardon de Saint -Jean
Places on the river
- Saint -Martin -de- Lansuscle
- Saint- Étienne- Vallée- Française
- Mialet
- Anduze
- Moussac
- Collias
- Vers- Pont -du -Gard
- Reindeer
- Montfrin
- Comps
Flora and Fauna
The river is largely unregulated. In the middle part it flows through a primeval flood plain, and later by an imposing karst gorge.
The river valley is relatively pflanzenarm as a result of deforestation in the Middle Ages and the overgrazing of the area until the mid 20th century. Through the barren karst soil grow predominantly evergreen shrub plants ( macchia ). In the river itself thrive only few water plants to storage sites and in summer it is due to the high water temperature and water shortage problems with algae.
The wildlife is abundant. Mammals are present but barely visible, but in recent years the nocturnal beaver has recaptured the middle reaches and the headwaters of the Gardon as a habitat. Bats have ideal living conditions in the many caves. Wild boar and feral goats may be hunted.
As a striking blue heron birds can be observed at the waterfront and griffon vultures nest in the area. Be fished eel and trout.
Attractions / Leisure
- Pont du Gard, the world famous Roman aqueduct from the 1st century.
- Pont Saint -Nicolas de Campagnac medieval arch bridge in the area of the middle reaches.
- Canoe Sports: the Gardon can be navigated with canoes and kayaks about 70 kilometers. Particularly interesting is the gorge between Russan and Pont -du- Gard. In summer, the region, to the Pont St. Nicolas is mostly like dry.