The source is Aran Valley and the mouth is Atlantic Ocean.
The Garonne is 529.00 kilometres long (328.71 miles).
There is a total of 1 locks, with an average of 1 lock every 529 kilometres (328.71 miles).
The highest point on the Garonne is 1860.00 metres (6102′ 4″ ft) above sea level and the lowest point is at 0.00 metres (0′ 0″ ft) above sea level.
We've divided the Garonne into the following sections.
From Castets-en-Dorthe to Ambès
There is one lock in this section.
Saint-Michel lock
There are "Small" lock types.
Lock length 29.70 metres (97′ 5″ ft)
Lock width 6.00 metres (19′ 8″ ft)
From Toulouse to Toulouse
The water draft is 1.80 metres (5′ 11″ ft) and the air draft is 6.50 metres (21′ 4″ ft).
Important towns along the Garonne
Toulouse
The largest city along the Garonne. Toulouse began as a Celtic settlement, grew into a major Roman city, became the powerful medieval capital of Occitania
Places to visit when you're in the city
- Pont Neuf: The oldest bridge in Toulouse, crossing the Garonne
- Hôtel‑Dieu Saint‑Jacques: Historic hospital, a UNESCO‑listed site on the Camino de Santiago routes.
- Dôme de la Grave: The chapel with its iconic dome overlooking the Garonne is part of the Hôpital de la Grave.
- Couvent des Jacobins: A major medieval Dominican monastery in the old city centre
- Basilica of Saint‑Sernin: A beautiful Romanesque church
Agen
Known for its prunes and medieval heritage.
Gontaud‑de‑Nogaret
Tonneins
Clairac
on the road to Camino de Santiago.
Couthures‑sur‑Garonne
Le Mas‑d’Agenais
ancient Roman site overlooking the river.
Meilhan‑sur‑Garonne
Cocumont
Vineyards in the Côtes du Marmandais
Marmande
Rich in medieval and natural heritage.
Bordeaux
The world‑famous wine capital and regional capital of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Founded by the Celts as Burdigala around the 3rd century BC, Bordeaux became a prosperous Roman port and later entered a long period of English rule lasting almost 300 years, from 1154 to 1453, becoming a major wine‑exporting city. The city flourished again in the 18th century with its grand quays and Enlightenment architecture.
Places to visit and see when you're in the city:
- Porte Cailhau: A spectacular 15th‑century medieval fortified gate overlooking the Garonne quays.
- Pont de Pierre: The first bridge across the river connecting the two banks of Bordeaux. The structure has 17 arches and is 487 metres long.
- Place de la Bourse and the Miror d'Eau: A spectacular mirror view created by water in the city centre
- Port de la Lune wich is the heart of the historical centre.
- Place des Quinconces: one of Europe's largest city places
Some of the famous wine-growing areas
Fronton, near Toulouse
Located between Toulouse and Montauban, on the left bank of the Garonne, using the Négrette grape, which is unique to this area.
Côtes du Marmandais
A Garonne‑side appellation stretching around Marmande, Cocumont, Meilhan, and Gontaud.
The vineyards sit on the banks of the Garonne, giving them a distinctive gravel‑clay terroir.
Bordeaux area
Graves
South of Bordeaux, directly along the Garonne.
Birthplace of dry white Bordeaux and home to Pessac‑Léognan.
Sauternes, Barsac
Famous for their sweet wines
Entre‑Deux‑Mers
Sharp white wines
Côtes de Bordeaux
Cadillac, Loupiac, Sainte‑Croix‑du‑Mont
On the right bank of the Garonne, opposite Sauternes.
Barges cruising on the Garonne
| Name | Itinerary | Passengers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosa | Bordeaux: Castets-en-Dorthe to Boé | 8 | View the itinerary |
Self-drive boats cruising on the Garonne
| Fleet | Cruise route | |
|---|---|---|
| Locaboat by Riverly | Aquitaine | View the Locaboat by Riverly boats |
| Le Boat | Aquitaine | View the Le Boat boats |
More details about The Aquitaine & Bordeaux region