Site history – one of the first hydro-electric dams in Brittany

The Vallee paper factory established on the banks of the Leguer and in the Belle-isle-en-Terre and the Plounevez-Moëdec communes in 1855, operated as a giant mill with one hydraulic wheel and two turbines set up in the river.
During the 1920’s, the need was felt for more energy as the paper factory was not producing sufficient paper. For Olivier Vallee the factory director, the only viable solution was to produce electricity. That’s why he decided to build a dam(in the commune of Tregrom) 3kms downstream from the factory. The Kernansquillec site was a perfect choice to build such a dam as it’s at this point that the valley narrows. What’s more, the valley has very steep sides, making possible a greater flow of water. Lastly, the rock here is extremely solid.

The work began at the end of May 1920 with 50 workmen. The design was entrusted to Swiss engineers. Work on the site would last nearly 3 years. On September 1st 1923, a large crowd gathered on the banks of the Leguer for the official opening of the site. The dam was impressive both for its size and for the technological innovations involved. It blocked the valley for a width of 110 metres, and for a height of 15 metres, thus creating a water retention of 12 hectares. It was of the earliest multi-arched dams to be built in France.

A high-tension electricity supply line supplied the factory from the dam. Thanks to electricity, the factory grew and productivity increased. At its height, prior to the Second World War, the site employed 250 people. For the locals, the dam was a model of progress and prosperity.

In 1965, the factory closed and the future of the dam looked grim. Different owners came and went. Because of a law passed in 1980 the uses to which the site could be put narrowed considerably. The extent of the work required to bring it up to legal safety standards, put off potential buyers. In the absence of any takers, the site became state property in 1994.

Following the January 1995 floods, the state decided the site was to be demolished for safety reasons. The Kernansquillec dam was the first dam to be demolished on a salmon river in France.

Today’s site - perfect for walking and exploration

The Leguer valley is once more open. The united communes of Beg ar Chra and Belle-isle-en-terre, local residents of the site, now co-owners, have combined in an ambitious rehabilitation project. Significant work has been carried out to preserve what remains of the dam, as well as repairing the river banks. Henceforth, a truly magnificent nature spot is open to the public. The re-discovered fields are kept in shape by cattle farmed according to bio principles.

Nowadays it’s a great place for walks. There are still a large number of reminders of the past, and with a bit of imagination the visitor can picture to himself the size of the factory. Also on the site you will find period photos tracing the site’s history.

A theme walk, (the Spaz path) has been put together to facilitate the site’s history in an original, recreational way (the brochure for this walk is available from the Tourist office).

The site is also the starting–point for several walks, one of which is 10kms long, and enables you to reach the Vallee paper factory by following the river upstream from the dam. There’s scope too on the site to stroll around, read, have a picnic….on the riverbank.

Open-air site. Free entry
More information : contact the Tourist Office