A visitrich and unusual

An unusual visit: the Cajarc hydroelectric power station

Three times a year, the Cajarc hydroelectric power station opens its doors to visitors of all ages. This one-of-a-kind tour is organised by EDF Hydro to help the public understand where the electricity that powers our everyday appliances comes from.
From the reservoir to the turbines, take a behind-the-scenes look at this ‘Made in Lot’ renewable energy production.

A building site

completed in 1947

Built during the Second World War, following seven years of construction work, under the auspices of the Société Hydroélectrique du Quercy and subsequentlyEDF, the Cajarc hydroelectric power station was commissioned to boost our energy independence. Consisting of a dam, whose concrete piers resemble the hull of a ship, and a power station, the Cajarc site uses water from the River Lot to generate enough electricity each year to meet the annual consumption of 13,000 people. Just a stone’s throw from the village, the power station blends harmoniously into the landscape of the magnificent Lot Valley.

About the reservoir

in the engine room

The first part of the tour takes place on the Cajarc side, at the reservoir, which raises the river’s natural level by around 3 metres. The dam has thus created a ‘lake’ ideal for water sports. The stored water is then ‘released’ through an old navigation tunnel towards the power station, on the other side of the Lot’s meander.

In the second part of the tour, head to the heart of the machine room, a very tall building housing three turbines with a production capacity of 9 megawatts. It is here that you will discover the inner workings of hydropower, amidst the canals, sluice gates and other upstream and downstream headponds.

The operations manager of EDF Hydro’s Lot hydroelectric power stations will accompany you throughout this accessible tour and answer all your questions about how the power station works.

The Lot,

this great river

Follow the River Lot, with its breathtaking landscapes, picturesque villages, enchanting castles and keep, and lively markets… From Capdenac-Le-Haut to Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, you’ll love exploring this vibrant destination, where outdoor activities, heritage and culinary delights come together!

The power station in

some figures

4 million m³: this is the average volume of the reservoir

90 metres: the width of the dam

373 metres: the length of the underground water channel feeding the power station (instead of 4.5 km following the natural course of the Lot) and location (competition from the railway and later the road)

200: the number of workers, mostly foreigners: Spaniards, Vietnamese, Moroccans, and later German and Italian prisoners of war. The construction site saw a mix of languages and cultures brought about by the dramatic events of the first half of the 20th century. In Cajarc, this influx of people is estimated at 1,000.

3 TOURS EVERY SUMMER

Three tours are organised every summer for everyone aged 8 and over. As these are always very popular, we strongly recommend booking in advance to secure a place behind the scenes at this industrial site, which is characteristic of Cajarc and the Lot region. The meeting point is at the Cajarc Tourist Information Office, located in La Chapelle, Boulevard du Tour de Ville.

Information and bookings at the Grand-Figeac Tourist Office at the visitor centres in Figeac, Cajarc, Capdenac-Gare, Capdenac-le-Haut and Lacapelle-Marival.