©Samfaitvoyager

Bavigne dam

Where? L-9635 Bavigne

The Bavigne dam, part of the Upper Sûre reservoir, was built in the 1950s, requiring the relocation of mills and farmsteads. Standing at 23 meters, it guards the lake's pristine water quality. Today, as a popular diving spot, it unveils submerged remnants like bridges and a mill, echoing a rich history amid the progress.

The Bavigne dam, an integral part of the Upper Sûre reservoir. Constructed in the 1950s as an extension of the Esch-sur-Sûre Dam, this strategic water source required the relocation of several mills and farmsteads nestled in the valley.

To preserve the pristine quality of the lake water, ingenious measures were implemented, such as the Bavigne dams, standing at a height of 23 meters. This structure act as a guardian, preventing driftwood, tree trunks, and sand particles from entering the lake.

The construction of the Upper Sûre reservoir necessitated the acquisition of over 400 hectares of land, prompting protests and debates. However, the inevitability of progress led to negotiations with developers or, in some cases, forcible expropriation.

Today, the Bavigne dam wall and the submerged remnants of the former Loutschmillen mill, located in the valley between Liefrange and Bavigne, offer more than a glimpse into the past. As a popular diving spot, the underwater tableau includes elements like two small bridges, an old road, the mill, the waterbed of the "Béiwenerbaach" stream, artifacts like amphorae and bicycles, and even intriguing discoveries such as a pirate boat and a skeletal presence. In the dance between history and progress, the Bavigne dam emerges as both a functional necessity and an inadvertent guardian of submerged stories waiting to be explored.

Opening hours

Contact

Address: Staumauer Bavigne
L-9635 Bavigne
Show on map

More sites

©Visit Éislek
Bourscheid Hougeriicht – High justice
In the 15th or 16th century, a witch trial in Bourscheid unfolded with accusations of devilish pacts and plots against God's creation. This dark chapter mirrors a broader era of witch hunts in Luxembourg, fueled by societal turmoil, economic struggles, and the fear of a mysterious witchcraft sect.
Find out more
©Communes de Witz
Gierwerei – Leather industry
Wiltz: Where Leather Found a Global Market
Find out more
©385BGMM
W.W.II 385th Bomb Group Museum Perlé
Discover the unfortunate story of two US bombers who collided near Perlé in this military museum.
Find out more
©Visit Éislek
St. Cunegonde Chapel
The St. Cunegonde Chapel in Heiderscheidergrund, a noteworthy example of 19th-century ecclesiastical historicist architecture in Luxembourg, features a neo-Gothic design, late Gothic sculptures, 18th-century statues, and glass paintings, embodying the country's historical and national consciousness as the oldest Kunigundis shrine.
Find out more
©Jängel Klasen
Veiner Gare – Former Trainstation
Nestled along the River Our, the town of Vianden once boasted a unique railway connection – the "Benny Express." This narrow-gauge line operated from 1889 to 1948, linking Vianden with Diekirch's main railway, a vital step in making the town more accessible to tourists.
Find out more
©Syndicat d'Initiative Stolzemburg
Putscheid Stolzebuerger Schlass – Former Castle
Stolzembourg Castle, rooted in history since 1192, witnessed destruction in 1454 and 1679 before being revitalized with a Scottish-style manor house in 1898.
Find out more
©Visit Éislek
Centre Cinqfontaines
The small village of Cinqfontaines (Five Wells), not far from Troisvierges, is home to a former monastery built at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1941 it was confiscated by the Nazis who used it as a place of internment for Jews from Luxembourg.
Find out more
©PNDO
Houffelter Kanal - Meuse-Moselle Canal
The Canal That Never Was: The Ambitious Plan to Link Belgium and Luxembourg
Find out more
©Tourist Center Clervaux
The Benedictine abbey of Saint-Maurice
With centuries of history and majestic architecture, the Benedictine Abbey in Clervaux invites you to immerse yourself in the past. A place full of charm and meaning, it opens its doors to visitors on the occasion of the daily morning mass.
Find out more