Walking tour of the Plan d'Amont dam

If you love views of landscapes dramatically falling away from you, then every

step of this hike will be a delight. The artificial lake, twinkling like a diamond

in its case, attracts your eyes every time you look up towards the horizon.

Whatever the season, the colours cast a magic spell. Even the marmots'

little cries of alarm won't take your attention from the satin-smooth surface.

This water basin in the high-altitude grasslands plays a crucial role in storing

water for the neighbouring valley. Like its downstream counterpart, Plan

d'Amont's hydroelectric dam is used, among other things, to power ONERA's

international wind tunnel, a flagship aerospace research project that tests

model aircraft and rockets.

At La Fournache refuge, take a rest as you imagine all those seasoned

mountaineers heading towards Pointe de Labby or Dent Parraché, majestically

rising up above you to a height of over 3,500 metres above sea level.