Gorges de la Jogne
Origin of the name Gorges de la Jogne
The gorge is named after the Jogne, the river that runs through it at the bottom of the valley of the same name, between Broc and Châtel-sur-Montsalvens.[1][6]
Founding of Gorges de la Jogne
The gorge opens between Broc and Châtel-sur-Montsalvens, below the Montsalvens dam, which closes the Jogne valley. The path along it links Broc with the Lac de Montsalvens: about an hour's walk from the Broc power station up to the dam that feeds its turbines. Polished stone steps lead down into the ravine. The path crosses wooden bridges, runs through tunnels and rock galleries and narrow crevices, and passes a climbing wall. Closed every winter, the gorge has been shut since 2025 after falling rocks and trees.[1][2][5][6][8]
History of Gorges de la Jogne
1918. The Entreprises électriques fribourgeoises begin building the Montsalvens dam, at the top of the gorge.[2][4]
1921. After three years of work, the dam is inaugurated (completed in 1920-1921 according to another source). Its 70-hectare lake now feeds the Broc power station, inaugurated the same year.[1][2][3][6]
1990. The Electrobroc information centre opens in the Broc power station, at the start of the gorge path.[8][9]
2025. On 20 May, Broc, Val-de-Charmey, Châtel-sur-Montsalvens and Crésuz decide to keep the gorge closed for the whole year, then until further notice: rockfalls and fallen trees have blocked the path and endanger walkers.[1][5]
Historic sites in Gorges de la Jogne
Montsalvens dam. It is 52 m high and 110 m long at the crest, and took 26'000 m³ of concrete. It is presented as Europe's first arch dam with both horizontal and vertical curvature, calculated by the engineer Alfred Stucky (or Heinrich Eduard Gruner). The head varies from 96 to 122 m with the lake level, and the power station it feeds supplies more than 13'000 households. Its northern half lies in Châtel-sur-Montsalvens and its southern half in Broc, and it is listed as a cultural property of national importance.[1][2][3][4][7]
Gorge path. The family-friendly path, walkable in either direction, runs down from the dam to Broc between mossy rocks. It is closed until further notice. The Sentier des patrimoines de la Jogne, from Charmey to Broc via Châtel-sur-Montsalvens, serves as a detour.[1][5][8]
Broc power station and Electrobroc. The Broc hydroelectric station, at the end of the gorge, is still working. It houses Groupe E's information centre, with guided tours and an outdoor trail of ten panels.[8][9]
Lac de Montsalvens. The 70-hectare artificial lake held back by the dam stretches upstream of the gorge, at the bottom of the Jogne valley.[2][6]
Sources
- Suisse Tourisme (MySwitzerland), « Gorges de la Jogne »
- Parc naturel régional Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut, Signalétique patrimoniale de la Jogne, « Montsalvens Dam »
- Parc naturel régional Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut, Signalétique patrimoniale de la Jogne, « Hydroelectric know-how »
- Réseau des parcs suisses (parks.swiss), « Barrage de Montsalvens »
- Région de Fribourg, « Gorges de la Jogne fermées : le sentier des patrimoines comme alternative » (20.05.2025)
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Châtel-sur-Montsalvens » (Patrice Borcard), version du 14.07.2005
- Office fédéral de la protection de la population, « Révision Inventaire PBC 2021 : Liste cantonale Canton de FR » (état au 1.1.2026)
- Région de Fribourg, « Electrobroc »
- Association des musées suisses (museums.ch), « Electrobroc »
Other villages near Gorges de la Jogne
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