Barrage du Gouffre d'Enfer, Dam in Planfoy, France.
The Gouffre d'Enfer Dam is a masonry gravity dam structure extending 102 meters in length and reaching a height of 53 meters, creating a water reservoir covering 8 hectares with a storage capacity of 1.105 million cubic meters of water.
Designed by engineers Graëff, de Montgolfier and Conte-Grandchamp in 1862 during the reign of Napoleon III, this dam was inaugurated in 1866 and represented the tallest dam in France and the world at the time, marking a major technical advancement in European hydraulic engineering.
This dam illustrates the historical relationship between humans and water resource management in the Loire region, serving as a symbol of hydraulic mastery and resilience against meteorological variations in local culture and community identity.
Accessible from the municipality of Planfoy with marked trails allowing observation from different viewpoints, the site features parking spaces nearby and visits to technical areas require accompaniment for safety and operational security reasons.
Since 2003, this dam operates primarily as a flood control structure rather than a drinking water reservoir, filling only during heavy rainfall to regulate the Furan River flow and prevent flooding in the surrounding regional area.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
