Dives (river)
The Dives is a 105 km long river in the Pays d'Auge, Normandy, France.The river also flows through the area known as the Plaine d'Argentan. It flows into the English Channel in Cabourg.
The source of the Dives is near Exmes, in the Orne department. The Dives flows generally north through the following departments and towns:
- Orne: Trun
- Calvados: Morteaux-Coulibœuf, Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives, Troarn, Dives-sur-Mer, Cabourg
The last kilometre of the Dives is a large meander encircling a man-made harbour and the holiday resort of Port Guillaume. The river is prevented from reaching the English Channel by a kilometre long sand dune called Le cap Cabourg.
The estuary of the Dives was the site of one of William the Conqueror's most decisive victories in the year 1057, over the combined armies of France and Anjou. Later, in 1066, Duke William assembled his army and fleet for the invasion of England at the same location as the earlier victory.