Saône, River in eastern Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
The Saône is a waterway in eastern Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France, running 480 kilometers from Vioménil in the Vosges to Lyon and crossing six departments along its course. From Corre to Lyon, 367 kilometers remain open to navigation with several large locks that allow both commercial and leisure craft to pass through.
Romans called the waterway Arar and relied on it as a major transport route, building settlements along its banks for military and trade purposes. During the Middle Ages, it developed into a main artery linking northern and southern parts of France.
Vineyards stretch along the banks, producing Burgundy wines in the north and Beaujolais grapes further south toward the confluence. Anglers use the calmer stretches and small boats line many sections, where residents take them out for short trips on weekends.
Visitors exploring by boat will find sufficient depth and passage at the locks between Corre and Lyon, which also accommodate larger vessels. The riverside areas work well for walking or cycling, especially in spring and autumn when the weather is milder.
The drainage basin covers 30,000 square kilometers (11,580 square miles) and forms one of the largest French river systems that does not flow directly into the sea. At Lyon the waterway joins the Rhône and contributes nearly as much water as the Rhône itself carries.
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