Jordanne, River in Cantal, France
The Jordanne is a river in the Cantal department, rising near the Puy de Peyre-Arse at high elevation and flowing for about 41 km before joining the Cère river at Aurillac. Along the way, it passes through villages such as Mandailles-Saint-Julien and Saint-Cirgues-de-Jordanne, cutting through volcanic rock gorges and forest sections before reaching the valley floor.
The valley of the Jordanne was carved out by glaciers during the last ice age, leaving behind the natural hollow known as the cirque de Mandailles. Villages were built along its banks early on because the water was essential for daily life and farming.
The Jordanne is known among fishing enthusiasts, who come for the trout that populate its waters. Along its banks, you can also spot the traditional stone shelters called burons, which are a common feature of this part of the Cantal.
The river can be explored on foot along paths that are easy to reach from the villages nearby. Those heading to the gorge section near Saint-Cirgues-de-Jordanne should wear sturdy shoes, as the terrain is more uneven there.
The Jordanne supplies drinking water to the city of Aurillac, even though most visitors know it mainly as a walking destination. Within the gorge section, there is also a stretch where large boulders sit scattered across the riverbed, known locally as the "chaos."
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