Barrage de Montalivet

With activity growing in the Bassin Saint-Pierre and the outer harbor, it was decided to float part of the Orne so that it too could supply the basin, hence the construction of the Montalivet bridge dam in 1910.

This structure changed the face of the city, providing a river that was always level, and put an end to river transport on the Orne once and for all.

La traversée de Caen: this was a very popular sporting event. The idea was to set off from the Montalivet dam and swim across the whole of Caen to the Lido (or "Chez Maës"). The 2.5-kilometer swim culminates in a much-appreciated festive finale. The event was repeated several times in the 1930s, before being abandoned during the Occupation.