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 | |
---|---|
Native name | La Vire (French) |
Location | |
Country | France |
Physical characteristics | |
Source | |
• location | Normandy |
• elevation | 300 m (980 ft) |
Mouth | |
• location | English Channel |
• coordinates | 49°21′24″N 1°7′13″W / 49.35667°N 1.12028°W |
Length | 128 km (80 mi) |
Basin size | 1,240 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:
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]
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.