Roselend dam

The 4th highest dam in France

The dam was built between 1955 and 1962, engulfing the hamlet of Roselend and over 50 mountain pastures. The water reservoir created represents 320 hectares. It is fed by several streams. Only the hamlet’s chapel, dedicated to Sainte-Madeleine, was rebuilt to its original height before the dam was impounded. It is now located on the shores of the lake. Together with two other ancillary dams, the Roselend dam feeds the La Bâthie underground power plant via a penstock. The homes of 450,000 people are supplied with electricity from entirely renewable sources, thanks to hydroelectric generation. In 2011, the dam celebrated its 50th anniversary. Emptied in the spring, it was followed by an anniversary inauguration ceremony featuring concerts, a ball, fireworks, numerous workshops, rowing initiation and hot-air balloon and paragliding baptisms. The Roselend dam is renowned for being one of the most aesthetically pleasing in Savoie. Its crest length is 804 metres.

Practical information

The Roselend dam is located in the commune of Arêches-Beaufort. To get there from the Ideal campsite, 60 km away, it will take you about an hour via Albertville. Given the altitude of the site, the road to the dam closes when the first snow arrives and until the snow melts. It is therefore possible to visit the Roselend dam every day from May 15 to October 15. Individual visits are free. Group visits are possible, lasting around an hour. The inside of the dam is not open to visitors. On-site parking and toilets are available. There’s also a restaurant and picnic area. The shores of the lake are popular for fishing and offer magnificent hiking trails. From the dam, don’t miss the walk to Chapelle de Roselend. On the trails of the surrounding valleys, hikers can often be found on the corner of a rock or mountain pasture. The route des grandes Alpes takes you north to Lake Geneva, where you can climb several peaks along the way, a mountain bike ride on a suitable slope with gentle gradients.