VISIT THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SITES OF THE FRANCE RENEWABLE ENERGY BU!
07/07/2017News
7/6/2017 – Several of the France Renewable Energy BU’s subsidiaries, notably the SHEM, Altiservice and the CNR, opened the doors on a number of their production sites. Make the most of your break in the Pyrenees and the Alps, come and discover the Group’s activities in the region.
The Little Tourist Train in Artouste is waiting for you – runs up to the 1st October 2017!
The Artouste narrow gauge train dates back to 1921. It was built originally by “La Compagnie du Midi” to facilitate the construction of the hydro-installations in the Ossau valley. In 1932 the Little Artouste train carried its first tourist passengers. Nowadays, whilst it is still used in the maintenance of the SHEM’s hydro-electric darns, Altiservice also offers a tourist service along the line.
12 trains a day, each one pulling 6 wagons, with a capacity of 12 passengers in each wagon and taking 55 minutes to complete the route. This represents nearly 100,000 visitors a year!
Climbing aboard the train at more than 2,000 m above sea level you will be treated to exceptional landscapes and views over the ‘Pic du Midi d’Ossau’, with panoramic views of the ‘Lac de Fabrèges’ and the Pyrenees National Park. The route will take you up to the ‘Lac d’Artouste’, the step off point for a number of superb hikes.
Practical information: Timetable: every hour, from 09:00 to 15:00 during the low season and every 30 minutes, from 09:00 to 17:00 during the peak season.
Information: on the internet
Exclusive tariffs for ENGIE employees. To benefit from these offers, contact the Altiservice commercial services on +33 (0)5 61 34 30 12.
Exceptional tours of the Oule dam (Haute-Pyrénées).
This summer the SHEM will be offering a rare opportunity, not only to inhabitants of the Aure Valley, but also to tourists, to visit the interior of the Oule dam. After initial construction was completed in 1923, the dam was enlarged in the 1950s to increase the capacity of the reservoir. This rare opportunity to visit takes place within the framework of a major construction project, designed to increase the spillways on the Oule site.
You will be given the opportunity to visit the galleries, giving access to the various levels within the dam; and discover how the SHEM maintains this construction on a day-to-day basis.
Practical information:
- Reservations only: on +33 (0)5 62 39 66 40.
- Visits from the 17th July to the 17th August. Monday to Thursday at 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 14:00 and 15:00.
- Visit groups restricted to 10 persons per hour. From 10 years of age. Bring suitable walking footwear and warm clothing (the temperature within the dam is just 10°C).
Visit the hydro-electric plant in Louron
Come and see how the group of plants in Louron actually works. With its two dams; its kilometres of galleries – hollowed out by hand; and its plant machinery; the SHEM’s workers use the force of the water from the Pyrenees to produce 100% renewable energy. This visit is a perfect opportunity to learn about the plants, the control room, the SHEM installations and the day-to-day life of those working for the SHEM.
Practical information:
- Every Thursday, from 13th July to 31st August. At 09:00, 09:45 & 10:30.
- By reservation only, available from the Tourist Information Office for the Louron Valley – Tel.: +33 (0)5 62 99 95 35.
Visit the hydro-electric plant in Hourat (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
The Ossau valley is home to the majority of the SHEM’s production capacity. The company operates a cascade of 13 installations. Come and discover one of them, and the day-to-day life of the people who operate and maintain these facilities.
Practical information:
- Reservations only: on +33 (0)5 59 05 49 40.
- Visits, from Monday to Friday. From 17th July to 11th August – at 10:30, 14:00 and 15:30.
The SHEM organises 4 guided visits to the Marèges viewpoint
The first of the large dams built along the Dordogne, the Marèges dam is rich in innovation. It was used as the model for a large number of dams across the world. In 2016, the SHEM decided to create a viewpoint, above the dam, in order to give an exceptional opportunity to discover this hydroelectric installation. The viewpoint gives the watcher the opportunity to admire not only the dam, but also the Dordogne gorges, the Limousin plateau and the Cantal mountains.
Practical information:
- Events are organised on the following Tuesdays: 18th & 25th July and 1st and 22nd August 2017.
- Reservations recommended, from the CPIE Corrèze: +33 (0)5 55 95 93 79 – open Monday to Friday.
- Rendezvous: 14:30 at the old Railway station in Liginiac for car-sharing; or 15:00 at the viewpoint car park at Marèges in Liginiac. Duration of the visit: 2 hours Guided, commented tour, free of charge.
- Visits possible on Wednesday 23rd and 30th August 2017 (by appointment).
- To prepare for your visit you can download our app.: Marèges, barrage de l’innovation, from Google Play or the App Store.
The Génissiat Dam and Power Plant, a giant of the Haut-Rhone and Haute-Savoie (74) regions
The first construction work to be undertaken by the “Compagnie Nationale du Rhône”, between 1937 and 1948, and, at the time, the largest construction site in Europe. The Génissiat dam and power plant would play a critical role in the history of French energy supplies in the post-war years.
A guide can accompany visitors, helping them discover the exterior of the construction. They will also find that a great deal of documentation has been made available on this monumental edifice, which, with some 420MW of power production, is the largest hydro-electric plant along the river.
Practical information:
A tourist information point is open from the 5th July to the 3rd September:
- Wednesday to Saturday, from 10:30 to 12:30 and 14:00 to 18:30.
- And Sunday, from 10:00 to 12:30 and 14:00 to 18:30.
Free visits to the Vallabrègues installations in the Gard region (30).
The Beaucaire hydro-electric plant, with its neighbouring locks, will be open to the public between the 17th July and the 28th August. Built by the CNR (Compagnie Nationale du Rhône) between 1966 & 1971, this is the last hydro-electric installation on the river, before it reaches the sea.
The perfect occasion to learn about the insides of a fully renewable-energy production plant, driven by the force of the Rhone River and creating 210 MW of power through 6 turbo-generator units.
Practical information:
- Guides tours available every Monday afternoon, at 14:00, 15:00, 16:00 & 17:00.
- By reservation only, available from the Beaucaire Tourist Information Office – Tel.: +33 (0)4 66 59 26 57.