Looking for a farm inn in the Vosges near La Bresse? The right choice depends on the experience you want. The best-documented working farm inns are mainly on the Alsatian side of the ridge, while the La Bresse side also has excellent mountain inns.
This selection was checked on 12 July 2026 against tourist-office listings, the Haut-Rhin Farm Inns Association and the establishments’ own websites. Opening times, access and menus can change, so always call before setting off.
Five verified farm inns near La Bresse
1. Ferme-Auberge du Forlet, above the lake
At Lac du Forlet in Soultzeren, this farm inn sits in a glacial cirque. It serves the traditional marcaire meal, meat-and-cheese platters and sells its own cheeses. The final approach is on a dirt track, so check conditions before driving up.
- Best for: combining a hike, a mountain lake and a farm meal
- Official access information: dirt track
- Bookings: +33 3 89 77 49 22
- Official Forlet listing
2. Ferme-Auberge Soultzersmatt, near Lac Vert
This small farm inn in Soultzeren cooks produce from the farm, including its meat and dairy products. The official listing names Munster quiche, pot-au-feu and Munster coiffé among its dishes. Four guest rooms make an overnight stop possible.
- Best for: a small-scale inn with accommodation
- Official access information: dirt track
- Bookings: +33 3 89 77 25 75 or +33 7 57 40 62 60
- Official Soultzersmatt listing
3. Ferme-Auberge du Gaschney, on the GR5
At Le Gaschney in Muhlbach-sur-Munster, this farm inn stands on the GR5 and is a useful hiking base. Menus follow the season and the farm’s produce. It is also one of the clearest choices for young families: the official listing mentions a play area, high chairs and changing facilities.
- Best for: a family outing or a GR5 hike
- Official access information: small paved road, coach access
- Bookings: +33 3 89 77 63 73
- Official Gaschney listing
4. Ferme-Auberge Uff Rain, near the Platzerwasel pass
In Metzeral, Uff Rain is 3 km from the Route des Crêtes, near the Col du Platzerwasel. Its milk is made into Munster, Bargkass and tomme cheeses, with farm produce available to buy. The association lists access via a small paved road.
- Best for: farm cheese and views of the main ridge
- Official access information: small paved road, coach access
- Bookings: +33 3 89 77 67 68
- Official Uff Rain listing
5. Ferme-Auberge du Kastelberg
The Kastelberg farm inn in Mittlach serves marcaire cuisine and produces Munster and Bargkass cheese. Its website warns that card payments cannot be accepted because of the telephone network, so bring cash and confirm arrangements when booking.
- Best for: marcaire food and cheese made on site
- Bookings: +33 3 89 77 62 25
- Official Kastelberg website
Two mountain inns on the La Bresse side
These two places are convenient from La Bresse and serve Vosges specialities. We deliberately list them separately: the tourist office describes them as mountain inns or restaurants, rather than accredited working farm inns.
Auberge du Pied du Hohneck
At 1 Route des Crêtes, 88250 La Bresse, this inn stands at 1,260 metres on the GR5, about a 15-minute walk from the Hohneck summit. Its restaurant advertises a marcaire meal, Munster tartiflette and bilberry tart, and the inn has ten rooms.
- Bookings: +33 3 29 63 11 50
- Official Pied du Hohneck listing
Auberge de la Chaume de Schmargult
At 1 Chemin Schmargult, 88250 La Bresse, this mountain inn stands at 1,200 metres in the La Bresse-Hohneck ski area. Its regional dishes include a marcaire menu, tofailles, savoury pie, Munster fondue and bilberry tart. Winter access depends on chairlift operation and snow conditions.
- Bookings: +33 3 29 63 11 49
- Official Chaume de Schmargult listing
How to check whether it is a real farm inn
A farm inn combines a working agricultural business with visitor hospitality. In Haut-Rhin, the professional association applies a charter covering the welcome, produce, menu and setting. That is more meaningful than rustic décor or simply having a marcaire meal on the menu.
Before your trip, check three things:
- whether the property appears in the official Haut-Rhin farm-inn directory;
- the day’s route, as a dirt track or ridge road may become unsuitable in poor weather;
- opening, service times and payment by calling the inn directly.
From summer farms to today’s farm inns
The tradition comes from the marcaires, dairy farmers who took their herds to the high summer pastures. Welcoming walkers and using the farm’s milk, cheese and meat gradually created this combined agricultural and tourism activity. The Haut-Rhin Farm Inns Association was founded by farm-inn keepers in 1971 to safeguard and structure this model.
What is in a marcaire meal?
The menu varies with the farm, herd and season. The tradition commonly includes:
- a savoury pie or soup;
- farm meat with marcaire potatoes, called roïgabrageldi on the Alsatian side;
- farmhouse Munster, Bargkass or fromage blanc;
- bilberry tart or another seasonal fruit tart.
Menus are not identical from one address to the next. That is part of the appeal: the food follows what the farm produces rather than a standard formula.
Book without unpleasant surprises
- Call before driving: booking is particularly important at weekends, on public holidays and during school holidays.
- Ask about the exact approach: paved road, dirt track or a final walk.
- Mention allergies and vegetarian diets: menus depend on farm produce and alternatives cannot be assumed.
- Confirm payment: carry cash, especially for Kastelberg where cards are not accepted.
- With children: ask about smaller portions and whether seeing the animals is possible; never enter a cowshed without permission.
- With a dog: check by phone, as rules differ between restaurants and accommodation.
Plan a food-focused day from La Bresse
For the simplest outing, combine a walk at the Hohneck with a mountain inn on the Route des Crêtes. For a genuine farm experience, cross the ridge towards Forlet, Soultzersmatt, Gaschney, Uff Rain or Kastelberg and reserve your table before hiking.
You can complete the day with a Vosges cheese producer or a stop at the Ferme du Saichy in La Bresse.
Related guides
- Where to eat Vosges bilberry tart
- Vosges food: tartiflette and tofailles
- The Vosges Route des Crêtes
- Where to eat in La Bresse
- Where to stay in La Bresse
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a farm inn and a mountain inn?
A farm inn is part of a working farm and serves food made in particular with the farm's own produce. A mountain inn may serve the same regional specialities without combining farming and tourism.
Should I book a farm inn near La Bresse?
Yes. Direct telephone booking is strongly recommended during holidays, at weekends and on public holidays. Confirm access and accepted payment methods too.
Are Vosges farm inns open all year?
Not all of them. Opening periods and access change with the season, weather and mountain roads. Check the official listing and call before leaving.
What is served in a marcaire meal?
It varies with each farm and its produce. It often includes a savoury pie, farm meat, marcaire potatoes or roïgabrageldi, Munster or fromage blanc, followed by a seasonal fruit tart.
Can you stay overnight at a farm inn?
Some have rooms or dormitories, but not all do. Soultzersmatt and several mountain inns in the area advertise accommodation: book directly with the property.