The upper Dordogne gorges
Straddling the departments of Corrèze and Cantal, the upper Dordogne gorges are undoubtedly one of the most remarkable natural areas in the Auvergne and Nouvelle-Aquitaine regions. They were carved out by the Dordogne river, which rises in the Sancy massif where two rivers meet: the Dore and the Dogne.
Although the gorges are punctuated by a succession of monumental hydroelectric dams, they reveal a natural environment of the highest order, recognized by UNESCO.
The upper Dordogne gorges and, more generally, the entire Dordogne basin, have been granted international recognition by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve. This distinction highlights a territory that reconciles biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, with the support of research, education and awareness-raising.
The upper Dordogne gorges are home to rare and protected species of flora and fauna, including breeding populations of birds of prey, some of which are migratory: the booted eagle, the red kite and the short-toed eagle are undoubtedly the most representative.
The first of the large dams to be built on the Dordogne, Marèges hydroelectric dam was built in Saint-Pierre and impounded in 1935 after 3 years of construction. Nicknamed the “innovation dam”, Marèges is a concentrate of innovations that have set new standards in the construction of other large dams around the world.
A viewpoint overlooking the dam is accessible from the village of Saint-Pierre.