Saturday, October 5, 2024

Visiting the Grand ‘Maison Dam in Vaujany for the first time

The appointment is set at 9 am. Hiking shoes and physical condition are essentialThese are the terms of registration. A group of ten people registered on Tuesday morning. This is the first time they can visit the lower side of this dam.

A group of ten people set out to ascend the Grand’ Maison Dam. © Radio France
Marion Pippin

The flight takes about three hours for a distance of 6 kilometers and 300 meters of vertical landing. The Amandine Handbook regularly provides explanations about the construction and operation of the dam.

Visitors also go to the galleries, which are usually closed to the public.
Visitors also go to the galleries, which are usually closed to the public. © Radio France
Marion Pippin

A few meters later, a mandatory passage through the arcades, long tunnels dug into the heart of the mountain. For security reasons, photos are prohibited there. Meanwhile, the helmet is mandatory.

At the entrance to the galleries, a helmet is mandatory in case of falling rocks.
At the entrance to the galleries, a helmet is mandatory in case of falling rocks. © Radio France
Marion Pippin

After touring the galleries, head back to the outdoors. It’s snack time! Annie and Yves, both from Grenoble, are happy to visit these galleries. “I didn’t expect there to be so many tunnels, there are flows, it’s another world“Eve rapture.

After a few minutes, he resumes walking. Head to the top of the Grand’ Maison Dam, At an altitude of 1700 meters!

The Grand 'Maison Dam is 140 meters high and 500 meters wide.
The Grand ‘Maison Dam is 140 meters high and 500 meters wide. © Radio France
Marion Pippin

Once they reach the top, hikers take some photos and listen intently for the rest of Amandine’s explanations. Most of them come from the province of Isere. “But yesterday we had visitors from Valence, from Lyon. It is wonderful, it allows the general public to discover hydroelectricity’ rejoices Amandine, EDF Infrastructures Specialist.

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    The tank can store up to 140 million cubic meters of water, mainly from turbine water by the power plant.
The tank can store up to 140 million cubic meters of water, mainly from turbine water by the power plant. © Radio France
Marion Pippin

This is then followed by a tour of the working building. It is used to prevent flooding. There is even a bedroom and kitchen for EDF employees in case they have to stay overnight in bad weather.

Access to the dam is free but visits are only Monday through Friday through August 13.
Access to the dam is free but visits are only Monday through Friday through August 13. © Radio France
Marion Pippin

Guided tours of the hydroelectric power station, located in Vaughani (Izer) are also organized in the afternoon, to understand how the water in the dam is converted into electricity.

Registration is required the day before the visit at the latest, right over here. Visits are free. It can be accessed from the age of 12.

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