The Aude (French pronunciation: [od] ⓘ; Occitan: [ˈawðe]; Latin Atax [ˈataks]) is a river of southern France that is 224 kilometres (139 mi) long.

[5] In all likelihood the current name comes from a gradual evolution of Atax given by Strabo (in his Geography, Book IV), a word borrowed from the Gallic term atacos meaning "spirited" or "very fast".

[6] The river has its source in the Massif of Carlit at the Lac d'Aude at an elevation of 2,185 metres (7,169 ft) in the commune of Les Angles (department of Pyrénées-Orientales) and flows parallel to the Tet.

The river then flows into the Mediterranean Sea a few kilometres from Narbonne at Grau de Vendres (near Cabanes-de-Fleury) on the border between the departments of Aude and Hérault.

The Aude then presents the characteristics of a mountain stream as it traverses Capcir and feeds several reservoirs (Matemale, Puyvalador) before plunging into gorges (those of Saint-Georges are the most scenic) crossing ancient terrain.

Heavy autumnal rains enable a rapid rise in the flow rate which peaks in February, 78.6 cubic metres per second (2,780 cu ft/s) and is supported by the spring snowmelt from the Pyrénées mountains.

[11] Remnants of Hurricane Leslie fed a quasi-stationary cold front over southwestern France, generating heavy thunderstorms and leading to flash flooding in that area.