Nive

Nive, also written Nivelle in French, is a river in the Basque Country of southwestern France, with a small portion extending into Spain. The upper course rises in the western Pyrenees and flows generally northwest for roughly 80–100 kilometers, passing through the Basque provinces of Labourd and Lower Navarre. It traverses towns such as Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Urrugne, and Bayonne before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean near the Bay of Biscay, at the mouth between Ciboure and Anglet close to Bayonne. The Nive’s valley supports agricultural land and scenic landscapes, and its lower section is a popular area for tourism and outdoor recreation.

Historically, the Nive valley played a role in the Peninsular War. The Battle of the Nivelle, fought in 1813, pitted Allied forces under the Duke of Wellington against French troops and led to a strategic shift in the campaign in the region.

Environmental notes: The river sustains freshwater habitats for species such as trout and other riverine life. Regional authorities monitor water quality and work to conserve riparian habitats, with cross-border cooperation in portions of the basin near the Spanish border.

Name and language notes: The river is commonly known as Nive in French; in Basque and Spanish contexts it is often referred to by variants such as Nivelle. The river figure prominently in regional geography and history, and is sometimes discussed in the broader context of Basque hydrology and cultural landscapes.