©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
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
©Ville d'Ettelbruck
Patton Monument Ettelbruck
Discover the Patton Memorial in Ettelbruck, an important place of remembrance. This monument honours General George Patton Jr, whose 3rd US Army liberated Ettelbruck in December 1944, stopping the invasion of the Wehrmacht during the Battle of the Bulge.
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
Përmeshaff – Estate ruins
Përmeshaff, a historic site near Kaundorf, traces its roots to 1195. Over the centuries, it evolved into a religious centre, attracting pilgrims to its chapel and healing springs. Despite enduring a devastating fire in 1936, recent archaeological efforts have unveiled layers of its rich history, highlighting significance of Përmeshaff as a cultural landmark.
Find out more
©Visit Éislek
St. Lawrence Church Diekirch
The Laurentius Church in Diekirch was planned by Pierre Biwer and completed in 1868. It was declared a national monument in 2017.
Find out more
©Alfonso Salgueiro
Lancaster Memorial Weiswampach
The Lancaster Memorial commemorates fourteen young men whose Lancaster bombers crashed near Weiswampach during the Second World War.
Find out more
©Visit Éislek
Kalborn Mill
The mill in Kalborn, which is over 200 years old, has developed into a nature conservation centre. Endangered river pearl and brook mussels are bred here. Information boards in front of the mill show how gardens can provide habitats for wildlife and insects.
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
©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