Where are the best campsites in the Vosges?
A nature break by the lake in the Vosges
Located in Xonrupt-Longemer, the Domaine de Longemer **** is set in the heart of a designated nature reserve, just 100 metres from Lake Longemer. Open all year round, it offers 167 pitches as well as holiday rentals including villas, chalets, lodge tents and bivouacs, in a setting nestled between mountains and forests. Holidaymakers can enjoy a heated indoor swimming pool, a wellness area, and a wide range of activities in both summer and winter: swimming, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, winter sports and snowshoeing. An ideal setting for a family holiday or to get up close to the natural beauty of the Vosges. The campsite is open all year round.
3-star campsite in the heart of the Vosges
Situated in La Bresse, at an altitude of 710 metres, the Domaine du Haut des Bluches *** is set in a natural environment in the heart of the Vosges mountains. Its 130 pitches accommodate tents, caravans and motorhomes, with direct access to numerous walking trails, mountain bike routes and snowshoe trails. The site is also close to the ski resorts of La Bresse-Hohneck and La Bresse-Lispach, which can be reached via the winter bus service. Open: from December to November (annual closure in November and December).
Nature and family holidays
Situated in Corcieux, in the heart of the Vosges mountains and just 10 minutes from Gérardmer, the Au Clos de la Chaume *** campsite is a family-friendly destination surrounded by woodland, mountains and nature. It features a heated indoor swimming pool, a relaxation area by the pond, a barefoot trail, a playground and a range of outdoor activities. With over 100 km of marked trails nearby and the village of Corcieux just 400 metres away, it is an ideal base for exploring the Vosges with family or friends. Open: April to September.
4-star campsite with a water park in the Vosges
Situated in Corcieux, in the heart of a 33-hectare park in the Vosges and just a few kilometres from Lake Gérardmer, the Domaine des Bans **** is an ideal campsite for family holidays. Its 1,000 m² water park features two slides and a lazy river, whilst outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, fishing or canoeing. The campsite also runs clubs for children and teenagers during the high season. Open from May to September.
A nature-oriented and more affordable campsite near Gérardmer
Just 10 km from Gérardmer, Huttopia Forêt des Vosges * welcomes you to the heart of a pine forest, at an altitude of 650 metres, on a 12-hectare site. This campsite offers the perfect setting to enjoy the Vosges countryside, with comfortable accommodation, a heated indoor swimming pool, an outdoor pool and a paddling pool. Holidaymakers can also enjoy the forest spa, situated by the lake, as well as the many outdoor activities on offer on site and in the surrounding area. Open: March to November.
Whether you’re staying in winter or summer, you’ll find all the campsites in the Vosges spread across the region, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing, hassle-free holiday. From five-star to one-star, with a swimming pool or by a lake, staying in a , a canvas bungalow or a fully equipped chalet, with or without entertainment – the choice is yours, depending on what you and your children fancy.
What are the must-see treasures of the Vosges?
Gérardmer and its lake, the Pearl of the Vosges, worth visiting in any season
A mid-mountain town nicknamed the Pearl of the Vosges, Gérardmer captivates visitors above all with its lake, the largest natural lake in the Vosges. Nestled at an altitude of 660 metres, this vast 115-hectare lake was formed by glacial movements during the Quaternary period, which shaped the landscape and carved out the basins now occupied by the lakes of the Vosges. Surrounded by mountains and forests, Lake Gérardmer is a veritable playground for holidaymakers: in summer, its shores are perfect for swimming, picnicking and relaxing, whilst the more active can try their hand at canoeing, kayaking, sailing, stand-up paddleboarding or windsurfing. Families can also set off on a trip out on the water in a pedalo, electric canoe or boat, or simply enjoy a pleasant stroll along the signposted path that circles the lake for around 6 kilometres. When the temperatures drop, Gérardmer loses none of its charm: the lake and the mountains provide a peaceful backdrop for walks, whilst the town takes on the atmosphere of a winter sports resort. Just a few kilometres away, the La Mauselaine ski area offers the chance to enjoy winter sports, making Gérardmer an ideal destination for alternating between outdoor activities and relaxing moments with the family. And to extend the fun on the ice, there is also an ice rink in town. In both summer and winter, the lake and its surroundings are therefore a must-see for holidaymakers wishing to discover the Vosges at nature’s own pace.
The spa towns of the Vosges: four towns combining wellness and heritage
The Vosges are not just about their forests and mountains: the department also boasts a long tradition of thermal spa culture, dating back to antiquity. Four spa towns invite you to combine wellbeing, exploration and heritage. In Vittel, spa life is complemented by a remarkable architectural heritage, featuring elegant hotels, villas, a spa gallery and buildings designed by renowned architects such as Charles Garnier. The town also has a strong sporting identity: its Multi-Sport Training Centre regularly welcomes elite athletes who come to train at its numerous facilities.
A few kilometres away, Contrexéville reveals a particularly rich heritage, where spa architecture, nature and history intertwine. As you stroll through the town, you can admire the Casino, the striking Russian Orthodox chapel, Saint-Epvre Church, as well as the Pavillon des Sources and the spa gallery – true testaments to the golden age of spa tourism. Further south, Plombières-les-Bains takes you back several centuries: the Romans discovered the hot springs here in ancient times and helped to establish the spa resort. Now designated a ‘Petite Cité de Caractère’, the town charms visitors with its picturesque narrow streets, its 18th- and 19th-century houses, and its famous ornate balconies, which have earned it the nickname ‘the town of a thousand balconies’. Finally, Bains-les-Bains, another historic spa town in the Vosges, invites you to discover its hot springs, whose waters gush naturally at temperatures ranging from 32 to 53 °C, as well as its spa heritage centred around the Bain de la Promenade, the resort’s iconic building. These four towns thus offer a different way to explore the Vosges, featuring walks, architecture, history and moments of relaxation.
The Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park: mountains and charming villages
The superb protected area of the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park covers nearly 3,000 km², straddling four departments – the Vosges, Haut-Rhin, Territoire de Belfort and Haute-Saône – and extends deep into the valleys of Alsace, Lorraine and Franche-Comté. It is a wonderful campground for holidaymakers to explore, with its high moorland, rounded peaks, glacial cirques, lakes, peat bogs and deep forests of beech and fir. At the heart of these landscapes lies the Grand Ballon, the highest point of the Vosges massif at an altitude of 1,424 metres: from its summit, the panoramic views of the mountains and the Alsace plain are particularly striking on clear days. The journey continues along the Route des Crêtes, which winds its way through the peaks and offers numerous vantage points and opportunities for short hikes, before descending towards the charming Alsatian villages and the famous Alsace Wine Route, ideal for discovering another side of the park amongst vineyards, flower-filled villages and traditional houses. The area’s heritage is certainly not to be overlooked either: the region boasts numerous remarkable villages as well as an exceptional historical and architectural heritage, including 350 sites listed as historic monuments.
For families and thrill-seekers alike, the park is best explored on the move. Walking, cycling, mountain biking, horse riding, skiing and snowshoeing in winter allow you to enjoy the landscapes throughout the seasons, whilst the more adventurous can try their hand at rock climbing, via ferrata, paragliding or even canyoning in certain designated areas. The Ballon d’Alsace, in particular, is an excellent playground with its climbing sites, canyoning opportunities and paragliding spots. With its wide-open spaces, panoramic views, charming villages and outdoor activities, the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park offers a multitude of ways to discover the mountains, whether you’re looking for peaceful family walks or more adventurous pursuits.
History and heritage of the remarkable towns of the Vosges
The Vosges also boast beautiful towns and villages where history unfolds through their streets, monuments and museums. In Domrémy-la-Pucelle, it’s impossible to miss the iconic figure of Joan of Arc: it was here that she was born around 1412, in a modest farmer’s cottage which has now been preserved and listed as a historic monument. A visit allows you to explore the rooms where she spent her childhood and gain a better understanding of the historical context in which she grew up.
High above the village, the Basilica of Saint Joan of Arc at Bois-Chenu rounds off this tour. Built on the spot where Joan is said to have heard her famous voices, it impresses with its architecture and extensive decorations depicting the life of the young woman from Lorraine. An unmissable stop for families wishing to immerse themselves in the history of Joan of Arc and discover one of the iconic sites of the Vosges’ heritage.
Next, head to Épinal, the prefecture of the Vosges, for a stroll combining heritage, culture and nature. In the historic centre, the Basilica of Saint Maurice, recognisable by its pink sandstone belfry, bears witness to nearly a millennium of history. Up on the hillside, the ruins of the medieval castle and its vast 26-hectare park offer a pleasant family stroll: fortified ruins, a medieval garden, play areas, an educational trail and even a wildlife park make up this area, which is particularly popular with visitors. To round off your visit, step inside the Musée du Chapitre, housed in a former tower of the fortifications, and then the Musée de l’Image, which offers a deeper understanding of the history of the famous Épinal prints, a tradition that has played a major part in the town’s renown.image
Finally, Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, designated a tourist resort, is also well worth a visit. Its town centre, classified as a ‘remarkable heritage site’, blends historic heritage with post-war reconstruction architecture. In particular, you can admire or visit the pink sandstone cathedral, the Church of Notre-Dame de Galilée and its cloister, as well as the Tour de la Liberté, before exploring some remarkable, more contemporary architectural heritage. The Claude-et-Duval factory, designed by Le Corbusier after the Second World War, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the architect’s architectural oeuvre. To round off the day in greener surroundings, take a detour to the Jardins de Callunes in Ban-de-Sapt, just 15 minutes from Saint-Dié-des-Vosges: this 4-hectare landscaped park, awarded the ‘Jardin Remarquable’ label, offers a pleasant stroll through a mix of pine forest, a waterfall, heathland plants and flower-filled areas.image
The culinary specialities of the Vosges: a gourmet getaway
You simply cannot explore the Vosges without sampling the culinary specialities that embody the region’s richness and warmth! Among the must-try dishes is the generous and comforting quiche lorraine, a firm favourite on holidaymakers’ tables. When it comes to cheese, treat yourself to Vosges Munster, with its distinctive character, to be enjoyed simply with bread or incorporated into traditional recipes. For a sweet treat, head to Plombières-les-Bains for the famous Plombières ice cream, a creamy speciality traditionally flavoured with kirsch and topped with candied fruit. Lovers of fruity desserts shouldn’t miss the brimbelle tart either – made with these small wild blueberries, emblematic of the Vosges mountains, which add a delicious tangy touch. Finally, to take a little of the forest’s flavours home with you, try Vosges fir honey, recognisable by its woody and malty notes. It’s sure to turn every meal into a real journey of discovery through the Vosges region!
Where can you go for a swim during your camping holiday in the Vosges?
Fancy a dip to cool off? Discover the best swimming spots in the Vosges.