Lac de Vouglans, Reservoir in Boissia, France
The Lac de Vouglans is a large reservoir in the Jura department, stretching roughly 30 kilometers between forested hills and steep shorelines. The turquoise water fills a narrow valley and forms numerous coves and peninsulas that recall a Norwegian fjord.
The dam was built between 1963 and 1968 to block the Ain River and generate electricity for the region. Several villages had to be relocated, including the namesake Vouglans and parts of an old Carthusian monastery, whose ruins now rest beneath the water surface.
The reservoir keeps the name of the old village of Vouglans, which was submerged during the dam construction and whose memory remains alive in the surrounding communities. Along the shores, locals gather for fishing and picnicking, while summer brings regular festivals with boat parades and water sport events.
Several beaches such as Bellecin or Mercantine provide access to the water and allow swimming, canoeing or sailing during the summer months. The winding shore road leads to different viewpoints and small harbors where boats can be rented.
On some days, when the water level is low, the outlines of old bridges and foundations emerge that once belonged to the disappeared village. The depth reaches over 100 meters (330 feet) in some spots, making it one of the deepest reservoirs in France.
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