Dives River

Infobox River | river_name = Dives


caption =
origin = Normandy
mouth = English Channel
coord|49|17|50|N|0|5|14|W|name=English Channel-Dives|display=inline,title
basin_countries = France
length = 105 km
elevation =
discharge =
watershed = The Dives is a 105 km long river in the Pays d'Auge, Normandie, France. It flows into the English Channel in Cabourg.

The source of the Dives is near Exmes, in the Orne department. The Dives flows generally north through the following departments and towns:

*Orne: Trun
*Calvados: Morteaux-Coulibœuf, Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives, Troarn, Dives-sur-Mer, Cabourg

The Dives is officially navigable up to the bridge at Putot-en-Auge although height restrictions apply. No yachts or fishing boats navigate the Dives further than the Pont de la Dives linking Dives-sur-Mer to Cabourg, 1 km from the river's estuary on the English Channel.

The last kilometre of the Dives is a large meander encircling a man made harbour and the holiday resort of Port Guillaume (William's harbour). The river is prevented from reaching the English Channel by a kilometre long sand dune called "Le cap Cabourg".

The estuary of the Dives was the site of one of William the Conqueror's most decisive victories in the year 1057, over the combined armies of France and Anjou. Later, in 1066, Duke William assembled his army and fleet for the invasion of England at the exact same location as the earlier victory.

References

*http://www.geoportail.fr
* [http://sandre.eaufrance.fr/app/chainage/courdo/htm/I1--0200.php?cg=I1--0200 The Dives at the Sandre database]