Durdent (river) Durdent (river) The river Durdent is one of the many small coastal rivers that flow from the plateau of the Pays de Caux into the English Channel. The river rises just northwest of Yvetot, near Héricourt-en-Caux, at the meeting of the two streams, the Saint-Denis and the Saint-Riquier, then takes a north-northwest route, typical of the rivers of the Seine-Maritime department. It passes through the villages of Robertot, Sommesnil, Oherville, Le Hanouard, Clasville, Grainville-la-Teinturière, Cany-Barville, Vittefleur and Paluel and empties into the English Channel at Veulettes-sur-Mer. In earlier times, it powered many watermills along its course. The Durdent valley is
Seine River Steamers early vessels meant that positive traction by pulling on a chain against a deadman or anchor was much more effective. In the 1830s river travel was considered dangerous, so much so that insurers would put a 25 percent premium on cargoes and vessels travelling the route. The Seine is divided into three sections, the lower or Oise section, middle or Paris Section, and upper or Marne section. Ships enter the river at Le Havre through a bad tidal bore. (Victor Hugo's favourite daughter was killed while travelling in a small boat across the bore.) Oceangoing ships can travel to Rouen,