Lake Guerlédan, Artificial lake in Brittany, France
Lake Guerlédan is a reservoir in central Brittany that stretches 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) between Morbihan and Côtes-d'Armor. The water covers a former slate valley and now forms the largest artificial lake in the region.
Construction of the dam took place between 1923 and 1930, submerging 17 locks of the Nantes-Brest canal. The project transformed the valley into a reservoir that now serves power generation and recreation.
The Abbaye de Bon-Repos, established in 1184 near the lake shores, maintains its architectural legacy through continuous restoration efforts by dedicated local craftspeople.
Several beaches and coves around the water allow swimming, while marked zones support water skiing, kayaking, and paddle boarding. Footpaths follow the shoreline and give access to viewpoints and shaded rest areas.
A complete drainage in 2015 exposed submerged locks and buildings from the canal era. Visitors walked through the dry riverbed and viewed structures preserved since before the dam was built.
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