The department of Vosges is home to four exceptional thermal resorts whose virtues have been recognised since Roman times. They welcome visitors from around the world seeking to recover or to take treatments for a variety of conditions. The two most famous are undoubtedly Vittel and Contrexéville, but you will also appreciate the 11 springs of Bains-les-Bains or the warm waters of Plombières-les-Bains.
These four cities are at the heart of the Vôge plateau, halfway between the plains and the mountains, and can, therefore, also be ideal starting points to discover the wide variety of landscapes found in the Vosges. To the west, travel through history to visit the birthplace of Joan of Arc in Domrémy or to marvel at the Grand Gallo-Roman Amphitheatre. In the centre, around the bathing resorts, cross the valleys of the Saone and the Moselle. To the east, the Vosges Massif offers the complete range of mountain activities at mid-level altitude.
Hikers will gladly walk along the famous Route des Crêtes (ridgeway) along the "Blue Line of the Vosges" or admire the superb landscapes in the Valley of the Lakes. Be quick to book a room in Gérardmer and enjoy an exceptional view of the lake and the forest of Vosges. The town is an ideal starting point for many hiking trails.
In the winter, you can enjoy the pleasures of snow and skiing. Descend the pistes, passing between the trees, at La Bresse or Gérardmer. If you are feeling energetic and don’t wish to go skiing, put on snowshoes to tackle these enchanting landscapes.
To regain your strength after all these activities, why not make one of the many villages of the department your destination and discover at the same time its rich traditional gastronomy?
To holiday in the Vosges, you can opt to fly to Mulhouse or Strasbourg from UK airports and add a car rental for maximum freedom.