Pline, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Les Gorges de la Méouge
The Méouge is a river of 39.6 kilometres that rises in the Drôme, north of the Albion mountain, at Barret-de-Lioure, at 1,603 metres' altitude. It then crosses the Hautes-Alpes before joining the Buëch, between Châteauneuf-de-Chabre and Antonaves. Its catchment area covers about 229 km², and its regime depends mainly on rainfall.
The river has carved gorges of about seven kilometres in coloured limestone. There are small sandy beaches, big polished pebbles, pools and waterfalls, which make it a popular swimming spot in summer. These gorges are recognised as a natural area of ecological, faunal and floral interest.
At Châteauneuf-de-Chabre, a listed medieval bridge spans the Méouge. The setting, between the Drôme Provençale and the Hautes-Alpes, suits a walk by the water, relaxation and nature watching.
