Lac de Pannecière

Lac de Pannecière is an artificial lake in the Morvan region created by a large dam wall. The water body fills a wide valley and is fed by the Yonne River.

The project began in 1937 following the devastating 1910 flood and was interrupted during World War II. Construction resumed after the war and was finally completed in 1949.

Two former villages, Pelus and Blaisy, rest beneath the water and occasionally become visible when the reservoir empties. These submerged places tell the story of communities displaced to make way for the dam.

Paths and viewpoints surround the lake, offering views of the water and dam structure. You can walk along the banks or reach higher vantage points to see the entire installation.

The dam features an uncommon multi-arch design with buttresses rather than a simple solid wall, a distinctive engineering choice. This particular structure makes it different from most modern reservoir dams.

Location: Chaumard

Elevation above the sea: 320 m

Address: Lac de Pannecière, 58120 Chaumard, France

GPS coordinates: 47.15417,3.89556

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:02