Shaped by man, the Renaison dams site provides access to breathtaking viewpoints. We remain amazed by the view before diving into the forest and enjoying the calm and freshness. A real breath of fresh air.
The dams are an opportunity to walk in a majestic landscape listed on the inventory of picturesque sites of the Loire. You can admire the highest Douglas in France and visit the Maison de l'Eau.
Walks on the belvederes of the dams. Walk to discover the middle mountain forest. The pleasure of discovering the local heritage. In the shade of hundred-year-old trees, let's discover together the forest world, its different roles, its hosts and its evolution over the centuries.
Not far from Christmas, these sites are devoted to walks on the belvederes of the dams. Walks to discover the mid-mountain forest to be covered on foot or by mountain bike. The pleasure of discovering the local heritage. In the shade of hundred-year-old trees, let's discover together the forest world, its different roles, its hosts and its evolution over the centuries.
A hike connects the dams by Renaison
10 minutes is the number to remember and the journey time by car to reach the two dams at Renaison, a privileged place for walkers. But you can also reach the two dams on foot, during a hike.
Note that a single rocky ridge (including the Py-se-Lance) separates the Dams of Chartrain (or La Tâche) and Rouchain. Departing from Renaison, discover the two dams that supply water to a large part of the Roanne conurbation.
By bike or on foot, the distance of 11 kilometers will allow you to discover the Renaison river, the Chartrain and Rouchain dams as well as the great Douglas-fir.
![Traverser les vignes pendant les randonnées les 2 barrages à Renaison]()
Cross the vines during the hikes the 2 dams at Renaison © Roannais Tourisme ![Croiser le chemin des douglas géants à Renaison]()
Cross the path of the giant Douglas-fir in Renaison © Roannais Tourisme
Key figures
The Chartrain dam
- Storage capacity : 3 500 000 m3
- Height above natural terrain: 47 meters
The Rouchain dam
- Storage capacity : 7 000 000 m3
- Height above natural terrain: 55 meters
The Chartrain dam
The Chartrain (or La Tâche) dam, surrounded by forests, is known for the spectacular view it offers. It is possible to access on foot, at the top of it by a marked path. Below, the site has picnic tables for a relaxing break in the shade of the trees.
This dam, built from 1888 to 1891, is a freestone work of art, delicately set in lush greenery. It is an arch dam, one of the oldest in France. It covers 21 hectares and has a reservoir of 3 m620, its height is 000 meters for a length of 3 meters.
The Rouchain dam
The Rouchain was built at the same time in an adjoining valley in 1976. It is an imposing rockfill structure (known as a gravity dam). They both supply Roanne and several villages in Roanne.
The second, built in 1976, is an imposing rockfill structure. It covers 39 hectares and has a reservoir of 6 m500, it is a gravity dam. They both supply Roanne and the Roanne plain with drinking water.
The great douglas
Introduced in France in 1842, Douglas fir belong to the Pinaceae family. They can live up to 500 years. Rapidly growing, Douglas-fir is highly prized for reforestation. Its pinkish-brown wood is used for framing or construction. The giant Douglas-fir trees of Renaison were planted in 1892 during the construction of the dam. Among them, the presidential douglas would be the tallest tree measured in France with a height of 66,44 meters and a diameter of 1,44 meters. It continues to grow about 25 cm per year! It is also one of the highest in Europe.
Dams leisure park by Renaison
Come and relax with family or friends in an exceptional natural setting with many activities: mini-golf, outdoor bowling, donkey rides, children's games ...
The water house
Located in the heart of the dams in Renaison, the water house educates the whole family on the water cycle. Through videos, exhibitions and models, discover how the Roannaise de l'Eau engages on a daily basis in a process of water management and preservation. Free entry.
The history of the Renaison dams
At the beginning of the XIXe century, Roanne had, with its 8000 inhabitants, only a few water fountains with a modest flow. In 1812, the municipality of Roanne then had the Renaison water collected in order to supply additional fountains.
With industrial growth, water requirements increase dramatically, as do pollution problems.
From the end of the Second Empire, the construction of a dam to supply Roanne with water was considered. The studies and reports carried out confirm the extreme purity of the water from the Madeleine mountains. The project was adopted in June 1885 and work on the Chartrain dam began in May 1889.
In the 60s, the quality of the water deteriorated due to drought. The municipality's emergency plan therefore provides for the construction of a drinking water treatment plant.
The first dam proved insufficient with its one-week water reserve to meet the growing needs of the Roanne residents. In 1976 the second dam was created in the Rouchain valley.
DID YOU KNOW ?
Between 1860 and 1870, 30 fountains were available to the inhabitants of Roanne. They were allowed 11 liters per person per day.
Key dates
- 1891 : Birth of the Chartrain dam
- 1965 : Creation of a factory for better water quality
- 1976 : Creation of a second dam, that of Rouchain
- 2015 : Commissioning of a new drinking water plant
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Marion's opinion
An exceptional site in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, where it is good to relax!
You can easily spend the day at the Renaison dams by stopping off at a restaurant such as Auberge de l'O or enjoying your picnic on one of the tables available.
