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Individual or a group
Génissiat, a fascinating industrial structure
Come and discover how water is transformed into 100% renewable electricity at our site of Génissiat with its dam and hydropower plant.
This structure is an unmissable site of the industrial landscape of the Upper Rhone. Located between Ain and Haute-Savoie, it was inaugurated in 1948. Called the “French Niagara” due to the height of its head (fall), it is the result of a gigantic construction project begun in 1937 and continued during the Second World War. The largest hydroelectricity dam-plant in Europe at the time it supplied Paris with electricity from 1948 onwards.
The + of the visit
Unique access to the heart of this industrial installation
An interactive, entertaining and pedagogical guided visit
Understand the transformation of the energy of water into electricity
An external circuit free of charge to admire the natural environment
Bollène, a site with 3 energies
Discover the energy mix of our site of Bollène, which includes a hydropower plant, two solar power plants and three wind turbines.
Inaugurated in 1952 by the president of the French Republic, Vincent Auriol, this emblematic site will take you on a journey into history with its plant, the most productive in Europe at the time, and its lock, then the largest in the world. The majestic façade, the interior gallery and the former control room, left as it was in the 1950s, are listed historical monuments.
The + of the visit
Exceptional access to the edge of the lock
Understand how the energies of water, wind and sun are transformed into electricity
An interactive, entertaining and pedagogical guided visit
Your safety is our priority
- All visitors must show proof of identity (valid identity card or passport, French driving licence provided that the photograph resembles the holder).
- Access is forbidden to persons without valid proof of identity or who have not made a reservation.
- Any action contrary to or not in compliance with the safety rules during the visit will lead to the immediate halting of the visit and the evacuation of the group outside the CNR site.
All the information to organise your visit
- The visit lasts about 2h
- Open from the beginning of April to the beginning of November
- Prices are charged for visits
- From 8 years old and older
- Access for reduced mobility persons
- Carpark and picnic area close by
- Flat and closed shoes are obligatory (e.g., trainers or hiking shoes). If these conditions are not met, you may be refused access to the site. The visit is conducted wholly on foot and since it lasts two hours, it is preferable to wear comfortable clothes.
Reservation
Reservation obligatory on line for individuals via the contact form or by telephone for groups
Génissiat
Département de l’Ain (01) – 00 33 (0)4 78 95 71 78
Bollène
Département du Vaucluse (84) – 00 33 (0)4 90 15 99 65
Educational trails to discover renewable energies and biodiversity
In addition to guided tours of our hydroelectric sites, CNR invites you to explore the surroundings of our wind and photovoltaic farms, by strolling along our educational trails.
Educational panels help young and old alike to understand how a wind or solar farm works, while marvelling at the wealth of local biodiversity.
At the Source, an entertaining platform for learning about energy and ecological transition
We are committed to teaching new generations about the importance of renewable energies, that is why we have created our platform At the Source, which provides pedagogical resources.
It covers various subjects such as life around the river Rhone, biodiversity, renewable energies and ecological transition, offering an entertaining and instructive experience for both children and adults. Using varied resources (videos, podcasts, computer graphics, posters, booklets and games, etc.), this platform allows teachers and parents to present the challenges linked to the Rive Rhone in a simple and entertaining way.
Our sites to visit
Discover our Hydropower, Solar power and Wind power facilities in France
