Overview

The Garonne River starts in the Pyrenees and flows into the Atlantic Ocean at Bordeaux. It becomes larger and shallower around Toulouse, forming a natural bridge between the Massif Central and the Pyrenees. The Romans settled here more than 2000 years ago and the river became a major commercial waterway, carrying wine, wheat, ceramics, and even gold from the Ariège département. During the Middle Ages many watermills were built along it. Neglected after the industrial revolution, it has now recovered some of its cultural importance and its banks have been renovated. Take one of the many pleasure boats to explore the river at a leisurely pace; there is canoeing or water-skiing for the more adventurous!