Enjoying the lakes in the French Vosges
France: a versatile holiday country and not without reason one of our favorite camping destinations. There are many beautiful regions to discover. A beautiful destination, for example, is Gérardmer and the Vallée des Lacs. Here in the French Vosges you can enjoy wonderful walks and see your reflection in the ripple-free water of all those beautiful lakes...
The French Vosges can be found in the east of the country, directly south from Luxembourg. The Vosges is a beautiful nature reserve through which three different rivers flow: the Moselle, the Meuse and the Rhône. Famous is the Parc Natural Régional des Ballons des Vosges, a real mouthful, with beautiful nature and for the sporty among us: wonderful for cycling.
Grand Ballon
And then of course you immediately take in the famous Grand Ballon: the highest peak of the Vosges, at 1,424 meters. You will find one of the largest spruce forests in the country here, and those trees can easily grow forty meters high. Don't be surprised if you encounter deer and wild boars in the forests here, and the same goes for the shores of the lakes of La Bresse and Lake Gérardmer.
Water sports
The latter is the largest lake in the Vosges. The lake is 2.2 kilometers long and just under eight hundred meters wide. It is very popular with tourists and there are various water sports options on and around the lake. You can sail, row, boat, swim and fish here.
The circumference of the lake is about six kilometers and you can walk around it in an hour and a half. On the information boards along the route you can read that the lake was formed by an ancient glacier. Nearby is also Lake Longemer, known as 'the mirror of a thousand reflections', and of course you must have seen that world wonder too.
Waterfalls
Another attraction is the Cascade de Tendon, which consists of two waterfalls – a nice day trip if you're looking for some cooling on hot summer days. At the largest waterfall, the stream plunges 35 meters down.
You can go down via a rocky hiking trail. The second waterfall is about half an hour further and is less touristy. Here you can paddle or swim. Or just read the next chapter of your exciting book, comfortably in the shade.
Our tips in the Vosges
Must do
More waterfalls: the Cascades de Saut des Cuves – you can walk there in about 20 minutes: a beautiful walk. More information on www.gerardmer.net.
Must see
Dutch people love water. You can also indulge yourself in the surrounding regions, in terms of lakes. Such as in the Franche-Comté, Alsace, Champagne-Ardennes and in Burgundy.
Must try
A perfect spot for a romantic dinner: Lido Gérardmer. Here you dine on the beach, with the most beautiful view of the entire lake! More information: www.lido-gerardmer.fr.
Large selection of campers and caravans
Exploring the Vosges from your own camper or caravan? Our website offers a large and up-to-date selection of new and used campers and caravans. View the offer here. More interesting camping areasview here.
