The Sarthe (French pronunciation: [saʁt] ) is a 313.9-kilometre-long (195.0 mi) river in western France.[1] Together with the river Mayenne it forms the river Maine, which is a tributary to the river Loire.

Sarthe
The navigable river Sarthe between Morannes and Chemiré-sur-Sarthe
Native nameLa Sarthe (French)
Location
CountryFrance
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationPerche
 • elevation250 m (820 ft)
Mouth 
 • location
Maine
 • coordinates
47°29′35″N 0°32′34″W / 47.49306°N 0.54278°W / 47.49306; -0.54278 (Maine-Sarthe)
Length313.9 km (195.0 mi)
Basin size7,864 km2 (3,036 sq mi)*
Discharge 
 • average80 m3/s (2,800 cu ft/s)*
Basin features
ProgressionMaineLoireAtlantic Ocean
Notes*excluding Loir

Its source is in the Orne department, near Moulins-la-Marche. It flows generally southwest, through the following departments and towns:

Its main tributaries are the Loir and the Huisne from the left, and the Vaige, the Erve and the Vègre from the right.[1]

Sarthe location map
The navigable river Sarthe from Le Mans to the confluence with the Mayenne north of Angers
The Sarthe at Le Mans
edit

The Sarthe has 20 weirs and locks.[citation needed] The channel is well marked and navigation is straightforward, except for the risk of shoals in certain sections.

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Sandre. "Fiche cours d'eau - Sarthe (M---0060)".
edit