When the Compagnie Nationale du Rhône (CNR) established hydroelectric plants at Belley and Brégnier-Cordon, the locks built at Chautagne and Belley made the river navigable again as pleasure boats and passenger craft could travel beyond the factories of Lavours and Brens-Virignin.
Over 60 km of the Upper Rhône became accessible to visitors, who can now admire many different natural habitats that harbour a wealth of plant and animal life.
Extending 25 km from the south of Bugey to the Dauphiné, the 1,707-hectare Upper Rhône Nature Reserve is France’s largest alluvial forest reserve.
Over 60 km of the Upper Rhône became accessible to visitors, who can now admire many different natural habitats that harbour a wealth of plant and animal life.
Extending 25 km from the south of Bugey to the Dauphiné, the 1,707-hectare Upper Rhône Nature Reserve is France’s largest alluvial forest reserve.