Lac de Gérardmer, hiking trails of varying types and a rich church history give you clear starting points for planning a trip to Gérardmer. Depending on whether you want to focus on water activities, exercise or culture, you can plan your stay around different priorities.
Lake, Swimming and Views
Lac de Gérardmer is the largest natural lake in the Vosges Massif. Activities on the lake include paddleboarding, sailing, pedal boating, wakeboarding and boat trips; supervised swimming is available in summer. The Union Nautique at Quai de Waremme offers three supervised swimming areas on the shore of Lac de Gérardmer. As seasonal swimming operations may vary, check current opening arrangements before your visit.
The Observatoire de Mérelle offers 360-degree panoramic views. Gérardmer therefore offers different options: water activities, seasonal swimming or panoramic views. Which one suits your trip depends on how you want to spend your time there.
Compare Hiking Trails by Length and Terrain
The Balade de l'Observatoire et de la cascade de Mérelle is a 5.4 km circular route with 240 m of elevation gain. The voie douce et piétonne du Cerceneux Marion is an 8 km out-and-back route with 67 m of elevation gain. The routes therefore differ both in form and in the figures given: the Mérelle loop is shorter and has the greater elevation figure, while Cerceneux Marion is longer and has less elevation gain. This comparison can help you consider distance and elevation profile together when making your choice, without overlooking the route type.
Free parking is available in the town center or near the lake for the Balade du Tour du lac de Gérardmer; the boat landing is about 300 m away. Check parking options locally. Trail conditions can change seasonally, so it is a good idea to check current conditions before setting out.
Church History, Organs and Festival Traditions
The Église Saint-Barthélemy was destroyed by the effects of war on June 20, 1940. Reconstruction began in 1952, and the present-day church was consecrated on October 10, 1954. It houses two organs by the same organ builder: the choir organ was built and installed in 1954 by Maison Roethinger de Strasbourg, and the grand organ was installed in 1959. The different dates make the musical furnishings a chapter of church history in their own right.
Several concerts are held every summer in the Église Saint-Barthélemy. The Fête des Jonquilles also has a clearly dated origin story: it was established in 1935 on the initiative of Gérardmer’s motorcycle club. The first official festival took place on April 22, 1935. Together, the church, organs, concerts and festival history show how various cultural themes shape the town alongside the lake and hiking trails.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Pierremont, Dombasle-Devant-Darney, Faucompierre, Morizécourt, Senones, Thaon-Les-Vosges, Igney, Fraize.
For the broader travel overview: Vosges.
