Lac de Grangent, reservoir in France
Lac de Grangent is a large reservoir created by a dam on the Loire River, stretching for about 21 kilometers between steep hills and forests. The water remains calm in most seasons, surrounded by open meadows and wooded slopes that form the shoreline.
The Grangent Dam was constructed in the late 1950s to generate hydroelectric power and control water flow in the Loire River. The project transformed the landscape by creating a large reservoir where the valley once lay, though the castle of Essalois and the island of Grangent survived as historical landmarks.
The lake takes its name from the former village that once stood in this valley before the dam was built. Today, locals and visitors use the shores as gathering places for walks and quiet reflection, while the castle of Essalois on its rocky outcrop serves as a visible reminder of centuries of settlement in this region.
Parking areas are located near the water and easy to find, with facilities available in nearby villages. Walking trails are marked and range from easy strolls to more challenging hikes, while supervised swimming beaches operate during summer months in Saint-Victor-sur-Loire.
The castle of Essalois sits on a rocky outcrop overlooking the lake, and locals describe it as a guardian that has watched over the region for centuries. The ruins show layers of different periods in their stones, each adding to the story of how the landscape was inhabited.
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