GERARDMER TOURISME

Gérardmer, the Pearl of the Vosges, offers a wide range of activities all year round.
Here’s some useful information on what to do on your holiday in this little corner of paradise, whatever the season.

EVENTS IN GERARDMER

  • Daffodil Festival : The biggest flower parade in Lorraine takes place every two years in April (odd-numbered years). A weekend of giant floats and entertainment for all, with the possibility of taking part in the Saturday evening piquage.
  • Gérardmer Fantastic Film Festival : The place to be for lovers of horror, fantasy and fright films. The films are shown in the town’s various cinemas (Casino, Espace LAC, MCL, etc.).
  • Triathlon : Sport will have pride of place in September, with a crossing of the lake from the quayside opposite the swimming pool to the nautical union, followed by a cycle race and a final run.
  • Motordays : A huge gathering of motorcyclists, the bikers’ festival, but not just that! Concerts, Harley Davidson rides, a show and plenty of entertainment on offer over the long weekend in May.
  • Fireworks : An unforgettable spectacle on 14 July and 15 August at Lake Gérardmer. Make sure you come early, as thousands of people flock to Gérardmer to see one of the finest fireworks displays in the Grand-Est region. Other fireworks displays are held every week in winter at La Mauselaine during the Christmas and February school holidays.

SUMMER TOURISM IN GERARDMER

  • Lake Gérardmer activities :

    Swimming, pedalos, boat trips, sailing, canoeing – everything you need to enjoy the most beautiful lake in the Vosges. A fully equipped beach (L’union nautique) is just opposite our restaurant. Deckchairs, parasols, entertainment, table tennis, slides and diving boards – everything you need to have a great time at the lake. Note that the water in the lake can sometimes reach 24 to 25 degrees in July and August. And don’t forget the accrobranche park just 5 minutes from our restaurant in Gérardmer.

  • In Gérardmer town centre : Shopping for Gérardmer souvenirs, Vosges household linen, a little train to take you around the town, mountain bike hire and a funfair at the end of August.

  • Hiking in Gérardmer : There’s no shortage of hiking trails, and some magnificent places await you, such as the mérelle tower with its incredible panorama, the saut des cuves, etc. (waterfalls), the heights of the pearl of the Vosges with the Grouvelin head, the highest point in Gérardmer (1137 metres above sea level).
  • What to do when it rains ? You can go to the cinema or bowling, or check out the frequent exhibitions at the Espace Tilleul or Espace LAC convention centre in Gérardmer.

GERARDMER SKI VOSGES

You have chosen to spend your ski holidays in Gérardmer ? The La Mauselaine alpine ski area offers excellent value for money. Beginners and experienced skiers alike can enjoy the 22 slopes set in magical surroundings.

  • Downhill skiing at La Mauselaine : Gérardmer has the longest ski run in the Vosges, high-quality facilities, a very fast chairlift (4,000 people/hour), ski school and instructors for beginners. You can also ski at night, and don’t miss the torchlit descent. A nursery, a free snow shuttle that passes 2 minutes from Le Bourru Gourmand, these are just some of the advantages that make Gérardmer Ski the most popular Vosges resort for families.
  • Cross-country skiing Bas-Rupts : A very pretty Nordic area with runs for all levels for forest walks in the hills above Gérardmer.
  • Snowshoe walk : Discover sublime landscapes, treat yourself to a snowshoe hike to Xonrupt-Longemer, Lispach to La Bresse starting from the Gouttridos trail. Be careful when snowshoeing in the Vosges, as the mountains can be dangerous. Ask a mountain guide to help you discover exceptional places that are little known to tourists.
  • Ski rental Gerardmer : Ski, snowboard, sledges, snowshoes and your lift passes are available at the foot of the pistes or in the many sports shops in Gérardmer.

TO VISIT IN ALSACE LORRAINE

  • Waterfalls Vosges : The Tendon waterfalls towards Épinal just after Le Tholy, the Saut du Bouchot towards Vagney, the Saut des Cuves, the Merelle in Gérardmer and a little further on towards Munster, the Stolz Ablass waterfalls – all sublime places to visit. Don’t forget your camera!
  • The route des crêtes : Just 20 minutes from Gérardmer on the Col de la Schlucht road (towards Colmar), you can enjoy some wonderful walks. Stop off at Les Trois Fours, get some good walking shoes and follow the signs for the Hohneck, the 2nd highest peak in the Vosges. You may see chamois, and depending on the season, you may even catch a glimpse of the Alps from the path over the névés and cliffs of Martinswand to the Kastelberg. For the more adventurous, don’t miss the opportunity to do the rock trail hike, but be very careful, as there are accidents on this path every year. This path is impassable in winter.
  • Lakes of the Vosges : As well as the lake at Gérardmer, we invite you to visit the lakes at Xonrupt-Longemer, Blanchemer, La Lande and Les Corbeaux at La Bresse. And if you like walking, why not take a hike around the 3 lakes: Green Lake, White Lake and Trout Lake. There are several possible starting points, so don’t miss the chance to go to the Gazon du Faing, a nature reserve with stunning views.
  • Amusement and wildlife parks : Fraispertuis City in Jeanménil, la montagne des singes in Kintzheim, Bol d’air in La Bresse. Adventure farm.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

  • Geographical location of Gérardmer : Altitude from 660 metres at the lake to 1141 metres at the head of Grouvelin. You are 30 minutes from Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, 40 minutes from Épinal and 1 hour from Colmar.
  • Transport : There are no trains to Gérardmer; the nearest station is Remiremont, thirty minutes away. Shuttle buses leave daily from the towns listed above.
  • Health : This tourist town in the Vosges has a full range of health services (hospital, doctors, dentists, osteopaths, pharmacies, etc.).
  • All car parks are free of charge, and there is a charging point for electric cars in the Place du Tilleul.
  • Market days : Thursday and Saturday next to the church.
  • Weather Gérardmer : Summer temperatures can rise to 30 degrees, but the average is 24 degrees. However, nights can be chilly. In winter, it snows the most in February. Spring generally brings plenty of rain, and it can snow as late as May.

For more information about your stay in the Pearl of the Vosges, we recommend you visit the Gérardmer tourist office, located on the Place des Déportés, just 1 minute from Le Bourru Gourmand.

And if you want to familiarise yourself quickly with this small town, start by pronouncing its name correctly “Gérardmé” rather than “Gérardmère“, locals will appreciate.

To find out what to do in Gérardmer, subscribe to our Facebook page, where we’ll be sharing our articles on the best ideas for outings and walks in the Vosges and surrounding area.