Hérault river

Hérault
A bridge and aqueduct over the Hérault river near Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, as seen from Pont du Diable
Native name	L'Hérault (m)
Country	France
Basin features
Main source	Mont Aigoual Cévennes
River mouth	Mediterranean Sea 43°16′57″N 3°26′39″E / 43.28250°N 3.44417°E / 43.28250; 3.44417 (Mediterranean Sea-Hérault)Coordinates: 43°16′57″N 3°26′39″E / 43.28250°N 3.44417°E / 43.28250; 3.44417 (Mediterranean Sea-Hérault)
Basin size	2,900 km2 (1,100 sq mi)
Physical characteristics
Length	148 km (92 mi)
Discharge	Average rate: 50 m3/s (1,800 cu ft/s)

The Hérault (French pronunciation: ​[eʁo]; Occitan: Erau) is a river of southern France. Its length is 148 kilometres (92 mi). Its source is on the slopes of Mont Aigoual in the Cévennes mountains. It reaches the Mediterranean Sea near Agde.

The Hérault flows through the following départements and towns:

The lower reaches of the Hérault, from Bessan to the sea at Agde, are navigable. The lowest 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) are tidal, whilst the next 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) forms part of the Canal du Midi. These two sections of the river are linked to each other, and to the Canal du Midi to the west, by short junction canals and the famous Agde Round Lock.

At the upper end of the section of the Hérault used by the Canal du Midi, the Prades Lock provides access to the Canal du Midi to the east. Above this lock, the river is navigable for a further 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) or so.