The Vire (French pronunciation: [viʁ] ) is a river in Normandy, France whose 128 km (80 mi) course crosses the départements of Calvados and Manche, flowing through the towns of Vire, Saint-Lô and Isigny-sur-Mer,[1] finally flowing out into the English Channel. Its main tributaries are the Aure, the Elle and the Souleuvre.

Vire
Vire at Pont-Farcy
Native nameLa Vire (French)
Location
CountryFrance
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationNormandy
 • elevation300 m (980 ft)
Mouth 
 • location
English Channel
 • coordinates
49°21′24″N 1°7′13″W / 49.35667°N 1.12028°W / 49.35667; -1.12028
Length128 km (80 mi)
Basin size1,240 km2 (480 sq mi)

The outflow of the Vire has been canalized and forms the port of Isigny-sur-Mer.

The poets of the Vire valley (Vau de Vire) are said to have given rise to vaudeville.[2]

Places along the river:

Hydrology and water quality

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The generally brownish waters of the Vire are moderately alkaline having been tested by Lumina Tech as pH 8.31.[3] The river waters are relatively turbid, with a Secchi disc measurement of 12 centimetres.[citation needed]

Historical significance

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At the turn of the 10th century, the territorial lands of the Kingdom of Brittany had been expanded up to the Vire by their king Alan I.

References

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  1. ^ Sandre. "Fiche cours d'eau - La Vire (I4--0200)".
  2. ^ Burke, James (September 2, 2003). An Invisible Object (Connections3 DVD). Ambrose Video Publishing, Inc.
  3. ^ Hogan 2006.
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  • Atlas des Routes de France, Solar Press: Donnees IGN (2007)
  • Hogan, C. Michael (2006). Water quality of freshwater bodies in France. Aberdeen, Scotland: Lumina Tech Press.