Eastern France is crossed by several canals, including the Canal de l'Est, which is called the Canal des Vosges in the eponymous department. It is maintained in water by means of a reservoir, located near Epinal. It is the Bouzey reservoir, also called lake or pond of Bouzey.
This 127-hectare lake is owned by Voies Navigables de France. It is therefore necessary to have a navigation sticker to go boating there even though no one at VNF knows which sticker should be purchased in this case. "This is what Roland Dieudonné, president of the Cercle de Voile d'Epinal for over 30 years, explains.
This sailing enthusiast " old-fashioned "He has owned several boats, both sail and motor. If he sails less today, Roland has kept a passion for his lake, for sailing and for the help he gives to the forty members of the association in their regular practices.
Traditionally, the sailing club organizes several regattas each year.
The Cercle de Voile d'Epinal offers mostly rental boats today, (L aser, 420, 470, catamarans, Laser Pico, or a Hobie fun boat ). Paddles, kayaks and other canoes are also available for rent to boaters.
Finally, the club organizes about a hundred training courses each year, conducting training and knowledge transfer work.
Historical disaster
In 1895, the dam that closes the lake broke. A wave of water escaped from the reservoir and flooded the Avière valley, killing 87 people.
In less than fifteen minutes, no less than seven million cubic meters of water, laden with mud, rock and concrete, flowed down to the valley, destroying homes, animals, forests and humans in their path.
Today, the dam is monitored on a daily basis and will be renovated in the next few years. To prevent any accident, the level of the dam is voluntarily maintained at 2.80 meters below the maximum water level.
A family lake
The lake of Bouzey has two beaches, all supervised. The first one, exposed to the south, is large and wide. It is equipped with water games, sand games and some restaurants snack ".
The second, now called Mansuy, was called american beach after the war. It is said that it was created by the soldiers of the US Army who came to recover, on the banks of the lake, from the wounds and traumas of combat.
A path, about 7 kilometers long, goes around the lake. It is accessible to pedestrians, bicycles and people with reduced mobility unfortunately not much view on the lake "Roland regrets.
For the peace of mind of users, navigation in the engine is prohibited on the lake of Bouzey. Except, of course, for the security or maintenance boats of the lake.
" All around the lake "comments Roland " there are four cafes, two restaurants and two summer camps. "
A tonic navigation for each season
" Composed of several points, the lake of Bouzey presents alternations of zones totally sheltered from the wind and others much more tonic " explains the boater. " The ideal wind is North-East or West. The bad wind is from the southwest. The advantage is that, of the two arms that make up the tank, one is due west and the other due south. "
Situated on a hill - hence its role as a reservoir - the lake is windy in the afternoon by thermal that go up the hillside" while the mornings are generally calm and wrinkle-free "adds the club president.
Within the sailing circle, there is a slipway and a pontoon that is removed in winter. A second facility managed by the community of municipalities, offers a pontoon only.
Finally, there is no "formal" radio watch on the lake. Practitioners, who are free to go in the water, must therefore ensure their own safety, except if they are practicing with the Cercle Spinalien as part of a training course or a course of study.
The bottom of the lake is flat and safe, you can easily stay there for a few hours or for the night. Anchoring is permitted, except in the area of the dike and the water outlet to the East Channel.
In terms of draft, 8.70 meters are available at the deepest points. The beaches are marked out and channeled for swimming and can be used for launching dinghies.
Favorite places of the locals
Roland knows his lake very well. On foot, by bike or by boat, he has explored every inch of it and speaks with passion about his lake. It is almost as a guardian of the waters that he spoke to us and recommended the good places.
" For bathing and walking ", he explains, " the main beach exposed to the south and Mansuy beach, sheltered from the wind. Two different places, Mansuy is wilder, but we are comfortable and, most often, warm. "
" On the lake itself, one is quickly at peace, because it is a place rather little frequented, including in summer " continues the guide which recommends " to stop at sunset to watch the ducks on the water, it is simple, like the pond, but particularly pleasant. "
For the agapes, two addresses come to mind from the guide " The beach in the northern part of the reservoir, right next to the dike. And the Exotis just next to the campground. Both offer good, affordable, home-style cooking. "
