Aran (river)

Aran
The Aran in Bonloc
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Location
Country	France
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Mount Baigura
Mouth
• location	Adour
• coordinates	43°29′50″N 1°17′37″W / 43.49722°N 1.29361°W / 43.49722; -1.29361Coordinates: 43°29′50″N 1°17′37″W / 43.49722°N 1.29361°W / 43.49722; -1.29361
Length	48 km (30 mi)
Basin features
Progression	Adour→ Atlantic Ocean

The Aran, from Basque Harana, is a left tributary of the Adour, in the French Basque Country, in Aquitaine, Southwest France. It is 48.4 km (30.1 mi) long.^[1]

The river is also known as the Joyeuse,^[1] which is also the name of a tributary of the Bidouze.

Geography[]

The Aran rises on the northern side of the Baigura in Hélette. It flows between the Zihorri and Atezain, collects in Mendionde waters from Macaye, flows by the former castle of Garro, Bonloc, La Bastide-Clairence and the abbey of Belloc before joining the Adour at Port du Vern, below Urt. There, boats named , and Couralin, were used for the carriage of stones or cattle, and today still, by fishermen.

The Aran shelters a rich ecosystem where can be found pikes, carps, zanders, eels, plaices, shads, lampreys, mullets and seabasses as well as, in season, salmons and elvers.

Départements and towns[]

• Pyrénées-Atlantiques: Hélette, Mendionde, Bonloc, Ayherre, La Bastide-Clairence, Urt

Main tributaries[]

• Aphara or Joyeuse from Ayherre
• Mendialtzu or Zuhi Handia, from the confluence of:
  • Marmareko erreka
  • Hazketa

Name[]

The name Aran proceeds from the Basque word (a) which means "(the) valley".

References[]