The pearl of the Vosges: that’s its nickname. And it’s easy to see why.
The glacial lake delights travelers, both in summer and winter. But Gérardmer is more than just a lake! It’s also a charming little bustling town with its bars, terraces, and charming hotels… An ideal base for your summer holidays.
All around Gérardmer, the landscape is stunning. You’ll find countless wild lakes, gentle mountains, refreshing waterfalls, picturesque villages, and peaceful forests… A breath of fresh air and wide-open spaces as far as the eye can see!
A Town in the Heart of the Vosges
Nestled between Lorraine and Alsace, the Vosges department is a captivating land of medium-altitude mountains. The natural parks scattered throughout the region make this little paradise authentic, preserved, and wild. In the heart of this green setting, the small town of Gérardmer stretches peacefully to the east of the lake bearing the same name. Situated at 670 meters altitude, Gérardmer is a perfect choice to explore the welcoming mountain region.
There’s no shortage of opportunities to relax or have fun.
Mountain biking, water sports, hiking, tree-top adventure parks, copper mines, discovering the small Vosges villages and the local gastronomy… It’s hard to list everything. Gérardmer in the beautiful season is an exceptional playground for a stay with family, as a couple, or solo. Cinemas, dance shows, theater performances, and music: a small town with everything of a big one.
Discover here the activities to do in winter
Visit the Town
Gérardmer is a human-scale town perfect for strolling… The town center is lively thanks to its rich cultural agenda but also its shops, bars, and restaurants.
During your stay, don’t miss the markets:
- the Valley of the Lakes artisan market on Saturday at the foot of the church
- the weekly market on Thursday morning and Saturday morning, behind the church
- the night artisan market on Friday evening in the park right in front of the hotel
Activities in Good Weather
Here are some outing ideas to keep your sunny days busy:
- Defy gravity at the Acrosphère adventure park with tree courses, via ferrata, and tickle trails for the little ones
- Admire chamois accompanied by mountain guide Pierre Guidat and let him take you off the beaten path
- Walk around the lake (5.5 km), an easy stroll that’s almost accessible to all
- Dare to leave the crowd: 350 km of marked trails make the Vosges a hiking paradise in the wild, between wild lakes and endless forests
- Taste the traditional marcaire menu (pie, smoked meats/tofailles, and blueberry tart) in a farmhouse inn with a magnificent panorama, Le Kastelberg
- Launch yourself on a giant zip line in La Bresse, jump into the void bungee-style, or whirl between the trees at Bol d’Air in La Bresse
- Push yourself on a trail running course
- Rent an electric bike at Cycles Picart and ride along the Route des Crêtes or the Bikeparks of La Bresse and Lac Blanc
- Gaze at the lake, the town, and its hillsides from the Mérelle tower
- Go horse riding at the Les Crins de Ramberchamp stables
- Explore the lake by windsurfing, laser sailing, dinghy sailing, canoeing, kayaking, or paddleboarding from the nautical base
- Dive into the “grand noir” in search of pike and catfish with the Joyeux Têtards
- Slide down the water slide at the Union Nautique and enjoy its beach and supervised swimming
- Race on a summer luge at Col de la Schlucht
- Climb outdoors on the sites of Martinswand or Saint Amé
Splash Around in the Hotel Pool
Activities in Rainy Weather
If the Vosges are green, it’s because it rains there! Here are some ideas to entertain yourself even in bad weather:
- Go bowling facing the lake
- Go ice skating on the artificial rink
- Climb indoors on the climbing wall
- Spend – but not too much! – at the casino
- Watch a good movie in one of the two cinemas (Cinéma du Lac and MCL)
- Swim in the 3 pools of the Espace Aquatique facing the lake and slide down its mesmerizing slide
- Visit the Confiserie Géromoise, the Confiserie Bressaude, or the Confiserie des Hautes Vosges
- Challenge yourself at paintball and laser karting at Planet Evasion