A picturesque balcony road through Gorges de Saint-Georges in Occitanie
Located in the Aude department of France, the Gorges de Saint-Georges is a stunning canyon carved out by the Aude River. It’s one of the French balcony roads.
Where are the Gorges de Saint-Georges?
The gorges are located in the Occitanie region, in the southern part of the country.
When was the road through Gorges de Saint-Georges built?
Constructed between 1816 and 1836, its strategic position and narrow construct meant that until 1840, for military reasons (primarily to deter the passage of artillery trains from Spain), it was forbidden to widen the road beyond 2 meters.
How long is the road through Gorges de Saint-Georges?
The road through the gorges is entirely paved. It’s called D118. The road is narrow, often a single track close to the watercourse, about ten meters above. It has experienced flooding, such as on January 23, 2020. The road stretches 4.8 km (2.98 miles) from the D17 junction to Axat. Drivers need good reversing skills as turn-around spots are limited. The route is challenging but offers impressive views.
Is Gorges de Saint-Georges worth the drive?
Part of the Pyrenees mountain range, the Gorges de Saint-Georges is popular for whitewater sports like rafting, kayaking, canorafting, and hydrospeed.