©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. 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
©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
©Visit Éislek
Vianden Dam
The Vianden Dam is currently being transformed into an oversized artwork.
Find out more
Anti-tank gun 43
At the Houfëls viewpoint, the imposing presence of two World War II relics awaits visitors.
Find out more
©Visit Éislek
free
with theLuxembourgPass
General Patton Memorial Museum
The General Patton Memorial Museum in Ettelbruck commemorates the commander of the 3rd US Army whose troops liberated the town on 25 December 1944. The exhibition illustrates the most important events that occurred during the Second World War in Luxembourg.
Find out more
Saint-Michel Chapel
The Saint-Michel Chapel towers high above Oberschlinder, surrounded by forest and accessible via hiking trails.
Find out more
©Caroline Martin
Exhibition “Our Common Heritage”
An ambitious and unifying project, the exhibition “Our Common Heritage” in Boulaide takes an original and completely new approach to the history lived in the cross-border territories of the Greater Region, whose imprint still marks the current geopolitical context.
Find out more
©Visit Éislek
Bunker Kaundorf
This bunker from World War II, where deserted forced conscripts hid until liberation, can be reached via an approx. 1 km-long footpath. The walk is well worth it, as hikers near the bunker are rewarded by an impressive view over the Upper Sûre Lake.
Find out more
Holy Church Lieler
The Roman Catholic church "Zum Heiligen Kreuz" in Lieler impresses with a Gothic choir tower from the 14th century, accompanied by frescoes from the 16th century.
Find out more