Our take
A dam completed in 1909, the highest hydroelectric dam in France when it came into service, a reservoir of about 170 hectares known for its carp and predatory fish, and balcony paths above the Cher.
The Cher squeezed into wooded gorges, a century-old dam and a lake that has stayed wild between Allier and Creuse, 12 km upstream of Montluçon.
Here, the Cher plunges into narrow, wooded gorges, in the heart of the Combraille, before running up against the Rochebut dam. Built between 1906 and 1909, the structure was, when it came into service, the highest hydroelectric dam in France.
Behind the wall, the reservoir stretches over about 170 hectares between Allier and Creuse, fed by the Cher and the Tardes. A deep-set lake that has stayed wild, where fishing is king: carp, pike, zander and perch share the waters.
To climb above it all, set off from the church in Mazirat on the Dames de Charly circuit: a 7.4 km loop that overlooks the gorges before coming back down towards the Sellat ford.
Why we love it
- The wall of the Rochebut dam, completed in 1909
- The reservoir of about 170 hectares, hemmed in between Allier and Creuse
- The balcony paths above the Cher, as far as the Dames de Charly rocks
- The narrow, wooded gorges in the heart of the Combraille
Top tip
For anglers, boats are launched from the Saint-Marien peninsula, reached from Mazirat. And for the viewpoint, aim for the Dames de Charly rocks, above the gorges.
Before you go
- Late in the day, when the low light slips into the gorges and makes the reservoir shine.
- Everything starts from Mazirat: the church for the balcony path above the gorges, the Saint-Marien peninsula for putting a boat in the water.
- The dam is 12 km upstream of Montluçon.
Weather for the next 3 days
Today
15°/6°
3 mm · 30 km/h
Tomorrow
17°/3°
dry · 12 km/h
Tue 27
21°/9°
0 mm · 17 km/h
Source: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0). General lowland forecasts, to be cross-checked with specialist mountain forecasts at altitude.
Practical info
- Address
- Barrage de Rochebut, 03410 Teillet-Argenty, France
03420 Mazirat - Monday24 hours
- Tuesday24 hours
- Wednesday24 hours
- Thursday24 hours
- Friday24 hours
- Saturday24 hours
- Today24 hours
Opening hours
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Around Gorges du Cher et retenue de Rochebut
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Hotels, gîtes and B&Bs within 20 km of Mazirat. Availability and online booking.
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