Électrothèque du lac de Guerlédan

About the museum

The Guerlédan dam was built from 1923 to 1930 under the direction of Auguste Leson. It holds back 51 million cubic meters of water and forms Lake Guerlédan, the largest lake in Brittany, 12 km long. The Blavet valley was flooded in 1929. The dam greatly contributed to the electrification of central Brittany.

The Association pour le Fonctionnement de l’Électrothèque was founded in 1985 to preserve and pass on the industrial and historical heritage of Lake Guerlédan. The collection was built from donations by individuals and companies, and the museum opened in 1992. Since 2013, the museum has been managed by the Pontivy Communauté Tourist Office, and the collection is recognized as being of community interest.

The permanent route includes five rooms. It presents the original model of the dam and photographs by Ernest Blat, then the production, transformation and distribution of electricity with turbines, alternators and transformers. It then shows applications of electricity in society, such as the first projector of the Rex cinema in Pontivy (1935), an X-ray cabin or electrotherapy equipment.

Highlights

• Original model of the Guerlédan dam and photographs by Ernest Blat
• Turbine, alternator, transformers and insulators from the 20th century
• First projector of the Rex cinema in Pontivy (1935)
• X-ray cabin and electrotherapy equipment
• Escape game and science workshops for children

Permanent exhibitions

• Le barrage de Guerlédan et la production d’électricité – The original dam model, photographs of its construction and films on how a hydroelectric power station works tell the story of the structure.
• L’électricité dans la société – Turbines, transformers, a 1935 film projector, an X-ray cabin and agricultural equipment show how electricity was used in the 20th century.

Founded

1992

Operated by

Office de tourisme de Pontivy Communauté

Admission & discounts

The prices of €6.50 and €3.50 apply to the self-guided visit, the guided visit and the playful family visit. Free according to the Morbihan tourism listing for donors and tour guides. Payment: cards, bank and postal checks, Chèques-Vacances, cash.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The Morbihan tourism listing states that the main entrance is wheelchair-accessible and that the outdoor path is adapted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

The museum offers a playful family visit (1 hour 15 minutes), science workshops from age 7, a storytelling session for children from age 3 and an escape game. A puzzle booklet is available at reception. At the Anse de Sordan, the beach has a playground.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in Saint-Aignan, opposite the church, a short walk from Lake Guerlédan. Public toilets in the car park behind the church.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Museum shop and tourist information point with local products. Wi-Fi is listed among the facilities in the Morbihan tourism listing. The museum holds the Accueil Vélo label (free left-luggage storage, charging of batteries and phones). In the village: a restaurant, a crêperie, a grocery store with a bar and a bread vending machine; there is also a restaurant at the Anse de Sordan, on the lakeshore.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit