The best walks and hikes around Thuré

The history of the Châtellerault dam on the Vienne river, located at the site of the former weapons factory (Manufacture d’armes), is particularly interesting as it is directly linked to the industrialization of the town. 1. A first dam for the Manufacture The first structure was built around 1824, shortly after the creation of the Châtellerault weapons factory in 1819-1822. Its primary objective was not to produce electricity: it was to provide hydraulic power to the Manufacture and to regulate the level of the Vienne necessary for its installations. Administrative sources do indicate a dam built in 1824, intended to supply the Manufacture. The presence of this dam is therefore closely linked to the spectacular industrial development of Châtellerault in the 19th century. 2. The dam then plays a role in water supply The dam also gained importance for the town's water supply. After 1864, when the Manufacture no longer opposed the use of the Vienne's water, the town installed a pumping station near the dam. Hydraulic rams and then, from 1879, a steam engine, made it possible to pump water to the reservoirs and fountains of Châtellerault. It is therefore a site where three stories intersect: - the weapons factory; - water supply; - and then electricity production. 3. Transformation into a hydroelectric power plant The major turning point occurred at the beginning of the 20th century. A hydroelectric power plant was built from 1918 and commissioned in 1921, for the Société des Forces Motrices de la Vienne. The associated dam measures approximately 207 m and creates a head of 11.50 m. The power reached about 10,000 hp in 1926. There are also plans preserved at the Defence Historical Service (Service historique de la Défense) concerning precisely the dam, the spillway, the gates, and the hydroelectric power plant, dated notably from 1916 to 1928. 4. Destruction in 1944 The dam and hydroelectric installations were destroyed in 1944, during the fighting and the withdrawal of German forces. They were then rebuilt in 1952. This reconstruction partly explains why the structure we see today does not exactly correspond to the dam of the 1920s. 5. Since 1967: EDF In 1967, EDF took over the operation of the hydraulic power plant. Since then, the dam has mainly served the function of hydroelectric power production. A point of interest: this dam is not a flood control structure Despite its presence on the Vienne, it should not be equated with a large dam intended to protect Châtellerault against floods. Its storage capacity is relatively small and its role is essentially linked to electricity production and maintaining a water level. PPRI (Flood Risk Prevention Plan) documents specify that its influence is negligible during very large floods, such as those of 1913 or 1944. Simplified chronology -1824: Construction of the first dam for the Manufacture -1864-1879: Use for the water supply of Châtellerault -1918: Start of construction of the hydroelectric power plant -1920-1921: Commissioning of the hydroelectric installation -1926: power of approximately 10,000 hp -1944: The history of the Châtellerault dam on the Vienne river, located at the site of the former weapons factory, is particularly interesting as it is directly linked to the industrialization of the town.

The forest lake is an ideal place for walkers. With its beaches and picnic areas, it is a highlight of the national forest.

Dungeon and castle chapel which are the remains of a castle fortified by Richard Coeur de Lion. The site is the place of archaeological excavations.

Dungeon and castle chapel which are the remains of a castle fortified by Richard Coeur de Lion. The site is the place of archaeological excavations.

Beautifully landscaped bathing lake with park-like grounds.