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Tarn River, river, southwestern France. It has its source south of Mont LozĂšre at an elevation of 5,167 feet (1,575 metres) in the Massif Central. After a course of 233 miles (375 km) it joins the Garonne River below Moissac (Tarn-et-Garonne dĂ©partement). Its magnificent gorges—which extend for more than 30 miles through the limestone plateaus known as the Causse MĂ©jean and the Causse de Sauveterre, between Florac (LozĂšre dĂ©partement) and Millau (Aveyron dĂ©partement)—are among the greatest tourist attractions in France. After entering the fertile lowlands of Aquitaine, passing through Albi, capital of Tarn dĂ©partement, the Tarn is joined below Montauban by an important tributary, the Aveyron. The Tarn drains a basin of about 4,600 sq miles (12,000 sq km).

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.
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