Sarrans, the largest dam in Europe in its time, has everything to surprise you! During its construction, a real human and industrial adventure was born. Today, he continues, year after year, to arouse our curiosity in the Truyère gorges, which he himself reshaped. Industrial heritage essential in the territory, it contributes to local life, but also to the collective memory. It reminds us of a time not so long ago when the little Truyère river came out of its bed to become the Sarrans lake and the river that we know today.
An industrial and human epic
The Sarrans dam was commissioned in 1934, after four long years of construction. It was, at that time and with the construction of the Brommat dam, the largest hydroelectric complex in Europe. In view of titanic project, thousands of workers from several trades came from all over Europe and the Maghreb to work there. An extraordinary and dangerous construction, which accidentally took the lives of several workers before finally seeing the light of day and becoming one of the largest dams in France.
When it was commissioned, the Sarrans hydroelectric power station provided electricity for 15% of the French population. Today, it produces each year the equivalent of the annual residential consumption of 112 inhabitants.
For fans of history and local life, go to Brommat to learn all about the human and industrial epic that was the construction of the great dams of Truyère, Brommat and Sarrans from 1910 to 1934. The plus: an exhibition in the open air in the castle garden, accessible all year round and free; in an environment conducive to games and discovery: outdoor theater, picnic area, water games, to have a good time!
The Sarrans hydroelectric plant consists of a dam and a hydroelectric power station, both located in the Gorges of the Truyere, in the heart of the granite rock of the valley. Special feature, the Sarrans dam is located in two Aveyron towns: Brommat, in the Carladez and Sainte-Geneviève-sur-Argence. The dam, of the gravity type, rests on a rocky peak called "La Roche Perdrière" to rise to 105 meters high and 225 meters long. Eighth highest dam in France, it has dizzying dimensions that are enough to make our heads spin.
But that's not all, Sarrans surprises both by its architectural size and by its water reserve. The fifth largest artificial lake in France, it extends, with its 35 kilometers in length, over the departments of Aveyron and Cantal. Its capacity is around 300 million m3, drowning, when it is filled, nearly 1 hectares of land.
Time flies by and yet the importance of the development of Sarrans remains, decades later, still exceptional. Today operated by EDF, it is one of 15 dams which make up the Lot-Truyère hydroelectric chain, to supply 10% of hydraulic energy nationally, with 2014 MW of power (183 MW only for the Sarrans plant and its four production units).
The revival of the dam
The meticulous maintenance of this extraordinary work remains the keystone of this colossus and allows it to continue to exist without being subjected to the ravages of time. EDF carried out the total emptying of the water reservoir, from April to October 2014. A verification and work site with reduced deadlines, which allowed the structure to regenerate, but which also brought to light impressive vestiges, long disappeared in the depths of the lake.
During these few months, La Truyère rediscovered his original bed, meandering at the bottom of the valley, along slopes lunar landscape, made up of trunks of dead trees and remnants of human activity: old farmhouses, dry stone walls and the first Tréboul bridge, submerged when the reservoir was filled with water. These few months have allowed rediscover the valley that only the old ones knew and where time stood still in 1934. It was an opportunity to revive the valley, which experienced a effervescence unprecedented: guided tours, storytelling, entertainment and sports activities, there was something for everyone. In 2014, the whole history of the valley and the dam resurfaced, a incredible industrial and human history.
An exceptional landscape shaped by man
The construction of the Sarrans dam and the impoundment of hundreds of hectares of land in the valley have permanently transformed the landscape of the Gorges de la Truyère. Between land, air and water, Sarrans and its reservoir have become the green and blue lung of northern Aveyron. With such landscape modifications, new reservoirs of biodiversity have emerged. The Sarrans site is now part of a preserved and diversified environment. The Truyère river is classified Natura 2000 area and is home to many protected species : birds of prey, otters, bats.
The vast water reservoir of the Sarrans dam, the largest water reserve in the valley, is part of a real landscape dynamic and it is, today, an important natural resource in a preserved environment. All the actors of the Sarrans site work in close collaboration to fully reconcile hydroelectricity and the surrounding activities, while providing renewable energy.
Due to its remarkable landscape, Sarrans becomes an incredible spot of art, history and nature over the seasons.
A dynamic and radiant place
The Sarrans site is an incredible life-size playground. All the nature nearby is conducive to all types of sporting and recreational activities.
- In the air : for a breathtaking and extraordinary view, thrills guaranteed in zip line, ULM and hot air balloon
- In water : enjoy supervised swimming with the family at the peninsula of Laussac, fishing with friends, water sports with the boat, paddle, pedal boat and canoe.
- On the ground : several footpaths are accessible around the dam and its reservoir, without forgetting mountain biking and cycle tourism circuits.
- As for those who prefer calm and relaxation, do not panic from the points of view and the picnic areas await you at various sites around Sarrans.
As you will have understood, around Sarrans, each place is conducive to the discovery of history and the landscape, to more or less sporting activities and also to relaxation, but it is above all a story already written which remains to be completed.
