Guided visit to Les Vernes power plant

At the height of the First World War, electricity was needed to produce weapons. In September 1918, after rapid construction, the Vernes hydroelectric power station was commissioned at Livet.

Imagine entering an early 20th century estate, with its park and castle. Yet behind these large windows, there are machines. Outside, the double-flight staircase takes you to an elegant pool, yet one that functions as a spillway. Despite appearances, you are indeed in a power station that was used to produce hydroelectricity. You are in one of the rare industrial sites classified as a historical monument, which was built by the ingenious Charles-Albert Keller!

With its villa-like production building, gardens and staircases, its creator, Charles-Albert Keller, designed a prestigious industrial structure, combining attention to architectural detail with the technical constraints of production. In 1994, it was classified as a historical monument, while the generators were still in operation. In 2020, the power station stopped for good.

The visit schedule

- Guided visit of the power station and park

- Explanations on the history of the site, the architecture of the building and the technical equipment

- Visits to the Romanche Museum and the EDF Hydrélec Museum are recommended in addition to the power station