We had a lot of rain in Southern France yesterday, and the most badly hit area was the south of Ardèche and the North of Gard - just where two very picturesque rivers flow, Ardèche and Cèze. In some places a quarter of the yearly amount of rain fell in one day. Rivers Ardèche and Cèze and both prone to fash-flooding, and this is just what happened yesterday.
River Cèze, which flows past both La Sablière and La Genèse, very quickly rose about 30 feet. I have just heard that the beach at La Sablière was of course totally under water. Fortunately river Cèze is known for its flash-floods, and no camping is allowed near it, but apparently quite a lot of damage was suffered in various equipment in the lower parts of La Sablière. I have not heard of La Genèse yet. I hope to have photos to post soon.
Although such heavy rainfalls often occur around the Autumn equinox in September, such a heavy one had never been recorded in August.
Good afternoon,
Thanks for that Jaques . Mrs goldi and I have been to La Genese and Sabliere a few times and we wondered how they went on in the recent floods which we have heard in the recent news.
goldi
Apparently tonight the river Cèze had subsided to about 4 feet higher than usual, and it will probably be back to normal over the weekend: a characteristic of flash-floods is that they go almost as fast as they come. No one was hurt at La Sablière. But the flood has left - as always - acres of mud, and some have lost part of their equipment, such as tents or furniture etc., that was washed away by streams coming from uphill.
NC members who know La Sablière may be interested to see a few photos of the beach on river Cèze. The photos were by Jacques Gana.
The second photo in my previous post is actually of the other naturist resort next door, La Genèse. In that resort too the caravans closest to the river are safely above its highest level. At La Genèse the only damage - apart from the mud covering all the low areas - has been caused by water flowing from the top of the hills through the camping site to the Cèze. No one was hurt, but some equipment was soaked or washed away.
Thanks for the reports Jacques.
Sue and I are familiar with the sites, having stayed at both of them.
Swimming if currently forbidden in river Cèze until it has been established that it is safe again. The weather forecast is more downpours tomorrow; if those are not too heavy the ban should be lifted by Tuesday or Wednesday.