Summer 2026 was dry in the Hautes-Vosges, and several events were cancelled or postponed within days. This page keeps a record, source by source, of what had been decided. The starting point is the situation on 5 August 2026, re-read on 6 October: the fire restrictions had an end date, now passed, whereas water-use restrictions have been extended until 31 October 2026 at least.
What was banned, and until when
A prefectural order of 30 July 2026 extended the ban on fireworks and festive fires. From 1 August 08:00 to 1 September 08:00, the following were banned in outdoor spaces across the department:
- the transport of F2 and F3 category fireworks;
- the use of any pyrotechnic article;
- fireworks displays and pyrotechnic shows;
- bonfires and campfires.
In the massif, the ban on bivouacking and on fire or cigarettes within 200 metres of forest areas also applied, with mountain gendarmerie patrols checking compliance.
For water, an article of 3 July reported usage restrictions (watering, filling private pools, washing vehicles) applying by prefectural order until 30 September 2026 inclusive. On 30 September 2026, the Vosges prefecture announced that water-use restrictions would be extended at crisis level across the whole département, applying until 31 October 2026 at least and possibly lifted earlier if the situation allows.
Our guide on forest fire prevention in the Vosges details the precautions to take and the numbers to call if a fire starts.
What was cancelled
The 14 August fireworks in Gérardmer. The town announced it on 30 July, citing drought and fire risk. The municipal calendar shows the note “Annulation feu d’artifice” on that date. On 3 August, the Société des fêtes cancelled the whole Jonqui fête and the sale of seated tickets, refunded automatically. Details are on our page about the 14 August fireworks in Gérardmer.
The 13 and 14 July fireworks could not be fired under the first order of 9 July: see our page on the 14 July fireworks.
The 33rd Barbey-Séroux International Popular Walk, planned for Sunday 2 August 2026, was cancelled. The organisers announced on 31 July a cancellation imposed by a prefectural order, as the persistent drought and very high fire risk no longer allowed participants’ and volunteers’ safety to be ensured. No postponement was announced.
The La Bresse guide, winter 2026-2027 edition
Opening dates, official pass prices, school holidays and good addresses, in a free PDF updated on 24 October 2026.
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What was postponed
The 34th Mud Race in Saint-Maurice-sur-Moselle. The Moto Club RN 66 announced on 21 July 2026 that the event planned for 25 and 26 July was postponed to 26 and 27 September 2026, the ground being too dry. We did not read any report on those two days, so this page does not say how the event went.
Events kept as of 4 August, and published 2027 editions
Two events announced as going ahead on 4 August 2026 have since published their next edition on their organiser’s site, re-read on 6 October 2026:
| Event | 2026 date | Published 2027 edition |
|---|---|---|
| Les Voix du Lac singing week, Gérardmer | 15 to 22 August 2026 | Saturday 7 to 14 August 2027, Espace L.A.C. in Gérardmer, concert bookings open |
| Gérardmer triathlon | Sunday 6 September 2026 (Discovery 8am, Olympic distance 1:30pm) | Programme for 2 to 5 September 2027: XL on Saturday 4 at 8:45, Olympic distance on Sunday 5 at 13:30 |
This check does not confirm that the 2026 editions took place. For the 14 August fireworks in Gérardmer, the next edition is to come, dates not announced as of 6 October 2026. The verified calendar lists the dates with their official source and last check date.
What the restrictions did not target
Individual walking remained possible and activity sites operated normally: the departmental restrictions concerned the use of fire, and events organised in forests came under a different regime, the prefecture being able to ban them, as for the Barbey-Séroux walk. The waterfalls around La Bresse stayed accessible, with very low flow for some, and the summer activities in La Bresse followed their programme.
Where to check a rule in force
Three channels are authoritative: the State services website for the Vosges for current orders, the municipality’s calendar for a specific event, and the organiser’s page for the details. A cancellation can come late, like that of Jonqui fête, announced eleven days before the date.
To remember as of 6 October 2026: fireworks banned from 1 August to 1 September, water restrictions at crisis level extended to 31 October at least, the 14 August fireworks and Jonqui fête cancelled, the Mud Race postponed to 26 and 27 September, and two 2027 editions already published by their organisers.
The La Bresse guide, winter 2026-2027 edition
Opening dates, official pass prices, school holidays and good addresses, in a free PDF updated on 24 October 2026.
Your details are used only to process this request. Privacy policy (in French).
Free PDF, no newsletter sign-up.
Frequently asked questions
Until when were fireworks banned in the Vosges in 2026?
A prefectural order of 30 July 2026 banned, from 1 August 08:00 to 1 September 08:00, the transport of F2 and F3 fireworks, the use of any pyrotechnic article, fireworks displays, pyrotechnic shows, bonfires and campfires in outdoor spaces across the department. That deadline had passed by 6 October 2026: we did not read a later order, so check the State services website for the Vosges for the rules in force.
Did the 14 August 2026 fireworks in Gérardmer take place?
No. The town announced the cancellation on 30 July 2026, and on 3 August the Société des fêtes cancelled the whole Jonqui fête day, seated-ticket sales included. Tickets were refunded automatically to the card used.
Was bivouacking allowed in the massif this summer?
No. Festive fires, bivouacking and the use of fire or cigarettes within 200 metres of forest areas were banned in the massif. Mountain gendarmerie patrols checked these rules, according to the announcement relayed on 2 August.
Were hikes and summer activities cancelled?
Individual walking remained possible and activity sites operated. Events organised in forests could be banned, however: the 33rd Barbey-Séroux International Popular Walk of 2 August 2026 was cancelled on that basis, with no postponement announced.
Which 2027 editions are already published?
According to the organisers, re-read on 6 October 2026: the Les Voix du Lac singing week from Saturday 7 to 14 August 2027 at the Espace L.A.C. in Gérardmer, and the Gérardmer triathlon programme from 2 to 5 September 2027. For the 14 August fireworks in Gérardmer, the next edition is to come, dates not announced as of 6 October 2026.