The lake of Guerlédan, located in the center of Brittany, is a lake whose shape is quite surprising. When you look at it from the sky, the impression that comes out is that of a cataractic river that would have swollen much more than reason. This is how this artificial lake was created and put into service in 1929. It holds no less than 51 million cubic meters of water.
When it was commissioned, it was the highest weight concrete dam in Europe, used primarily as a means of hydroelectric generation.
" From the beginning, the Guerlédan dam has been designed as a tourist attraction "explains Alexis le Priellec. The Director of the Tourist Office of Central Brittany continues " It was considered to create a crest road like the dam on the Rance, in Dinard. But EDF did not want to do this, as it would have required the relocation of some of the dam's operating equipment. And this road would have had a cost, too, that no one could absorb then. "he says.
Drowning of a whole valley for a historical construction
When it was built, the dam that would make the lake required flooding an entire valley and drowning no less than 18 locks and as many lock houses. " The region was a slate producer and several slate quarries were flooded when the dam was built. This was an ecological and economic revolution for the region " explains the director. " It was also the definitive rupture of the canalization of the interior Brittany. We can say that, since 1929, no more barge can cross the region. "
For the record, it should be noted that the work on the dam was largely financed by the city of Lorient, which in return quickly obtained electricity. And it is this massive electrification that will make the city with five ports one of the most important points of Nazi presence in France during the Second World War.
Finally, " in order to contain the floods of the Blavet, the water level of the dam is lowered by 2.50 meters each fall "explains Alexis.
Activities for all tastes, on and off the water
" Here, impossible to get bored "explains our guide. Indeed, there is no lack of activities in central Brittany. With the possibility of practicing climbing, fishing, canoeing, sailing, water skiing, towed buoys, swimming, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, orienteering, archery and horseback riding, the tourist offer is extremely wide, supervised by the departmental outdoor center of Guerlédan.
" The depth of the water [Editor's note: 40 meters from the foot of the dam] allows to catch rare species such as pike or zander" explains the director.
On the shores of the lake, there is no lack of heritage. " You must visit the electricity museum in Saint-Aignan which, in relation to the dam, explains the patrimonial interest of this building classified in the inventory of historical monuments. The Cistercian abbey of Beauport attracts more than 120,000 visitors each year and is a haven of peace for those who want or need peace and quiet. Finally, cyclists will be delighted to learn that the lake is part of the velodyssey, a cycling route that connects Roscoff (Finistère) to Saint-Jean-de-Luz (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) "explains Alexis.
Reopening of the navigation through Brittany in project
" However, the lake of Guerlédan is far from being asleep on its tourist attraction " explains the director. " The projects, big and small, are not lacking. The arrival of the Tour de France in Mûr-de-Bretagne offers an exposure of the site that we exploit to set up them. We are going to install the longest himalayan footbridge in the world (500 meters). In big project also, the reopening to the crossing navigation by the creation of a boat elevator like the one of Falkirk in Scotland which will allow to cross, as it was the case before the dam, the interior Brittany by its channels".
The lake is, moreover, already ready to welcome the yachtsmen who will come to sail there to join the Atlantic to the English Channel. " We have four boat slips and three pontoon areas. Two with 15 places (at the water ski club and at Sordan) and one with 35 places, at Beaurivage. The campsite has its own pontoon "explains the Tourism Committee.
Leave room for daily use
" It is voluntarily that the pontoons are, for the moment, without water and electricity. We do not want to create a zone of suction boats moored all summer long as it can be the case with other users [Editor's note: motor homes] However, the pontoons are maintained and can be used regardless of the water level of the lake. "says the manager.
" Moreover, the use of the lake for navigation is mainly during the day, few people stay on board at night "he continues.
Note that the pontoons are all - except for those in the campground - accessible 12 months out of 12, except when the lake is emptied below the current levels. " In this case, boaters are alerted by signs ".
Accessible all year round, the boat slips are all in a straight line and do not require complicated maneuvers. One of the slips was renovated during the 2015 emptying and allows launching regardless of the lake level, up to a negative depth of 13 meters.
A lake for calm navigation
" The lake of Guerlédan is thought for those who want to sail in the calm "explains Alexis le Priellec. " No VHF watch, but the beach of Beaurivage is supervised in season, to guarantee that everyone will be safe. "
" Nobody comes to the lake or even to the beaches to party. If the frequentation is family, some groups of young people come in summer, but all remains very good child, even late in the evening "About the evening, the navigation is only allowed from sunrise to sunset . At daybreak, all the boats should be back at the pontoons.
However, there are a few rules of caution to remember: " The lake is a scooping zone for the canadairs. This area is marked, as are all the reefs or swimming or specific use areas [Editor's note: water ski or towed buoy]. The speed limit is 25 km/h on the whole water area and there are frequent controls " alerts the person in charge.
Word of a guide
A regular on the lake, Alexis has undoubtedly favorite places. " As far as boating is concerned, Beaurivage is my favorite. It's a beautiful beach and a quiet, preserved environment that offers pontoons, a slipway and a beach. Everything is gathered there for the boaters "he explains.
" To catch fish, I recommend Trégnanton where pike-perch hide. "
" Finally, to have a great day, I recommend going for a pedal boat ride on the water in the late morning to work up an appetite. Have lunch at the pier to enjoy the panoramic view of the lake. For digestion, a cruise on the lake on one of the Guerlédan boats and, at the end of the afternoon, a water skiing session with the SNCG. The whole family, young and old, will keep an excellent memory of this day in central Brittany! "
In conclusion, the guide gives us a moving memory. " I am passionate about local history and was fortunate enough to attend the 2015 emptying. I walked in the footsteps of the past towards the lock scale of Trégnanton, I could see with my own eyes what is hidden under the water. It is very moving to have found pieces of the life of the beginning of the last century".
