Summer in Gérardmer revolves around its lake: supervised or unsupervised swimming, pedal boat rental, waterside terraces and village events running until the end of August. This guide brings together the practical information for the season, distinct from what happens in winter, to help you plan a day trip or a full stay from La Bresse, about 20 minutes away by road.
Swimming in the Lake in Summer
The only supervised swimming area is the Union Nautique beach on quai de Waremme, staffed by lifeguards and reopened for the season on 13 June 2026. The site has two marked-out bathing areas in the lake, 200 metres of sandy beach and green space, a 60 metre giant water slide, a table tennis area and a snack bar on a terrace facing the lake. 2026 rates are around 6 euros for an adult and 4.20 euros for a child, free under age 4 and for Gérardmer resident children under 10.
The municipal order of 6 August 1998 states that swimming is only permitted at the designated beaches, and that wearing a life jacket is mandatory for minors under 12. Outside the Union Nautique, only the natural bathing areas marked as zone 2 on the lake map are tolerated, up to 25 metres from the shore, with no supervision or fixed hours: an option for avoiding the July and August crowds, provided you accept the absence of a lifeguard. On the water, electric or petrol powered boats, sailing, windsurfing, fishing and diving remain permitted on the lake, and wearing a life jacket or a buoyancy suit is mandatory on board any craft.
Pedal Boats, Canoes and Electric Boats
A walk around the lake naturally continues onto the water. Several boat docks sit side by side on quai du Lac in the town centre. La Chaloupe rents pedal boats (2 to 6 seats) and electric boats requiring no licence (2 to 12 seats), with life jackets included free of charge, from early April to mid-October, daily from 10am to 7pm weather permitting.
For details on walking or cycling around the lake, the exact size of the lake and the full range of water activities available (sailing, kayaking, diving), the complete guide to Gérardmer, pearl of the Vosges brings together all the information.
Village, Terraces and Summer Events
The town centre stays active throughout the season: Thursday and Saturday morning market on place du 8 Mai 1945, a night market on Monday evenings on place du Vieux Gérardmé, shops, a casino open in the evening and lakeside restaurant terraces. This is one of Gérardmer’s main advantages over La Bresse in summer: a busier village life, with more options for dinner or an evening out.
In La Bresse, the summer equivalent is the summer market and events on place du Champtel, held every Wednesday from 8 July to 19 August 2026, 5pm to 9pm, with concerts, local producers and free workshops. For a stay combining both resorts, alternating the Wednesday market in La Bresse with a Thursday evening in Gérardmer covers the week well.
On Rainy Days or in the Evening
Summer in the Hautes Vosges does not rule out rainy days. The summer luge at Col de la Schlucht, reachable from Gérardmer as well as from La Bresse, runs in any weather but is an open-air track: a good complement to a morning at the lake when the forecast is uncertain. The cinema in Gérardmer town centre also offers evening screenings year round, useful for an evening without a beach club.
Planning Your Stay from La Bresse
For a multi-day stay, basing yourself in La Bresse and treating Gérardmer as a day trip remains a common option: the road between the two resorts takes about 20 minutes, and each offers a different atmosphere. La Bresse leans on village calm and the surrounding nature, Gérardmer on lakeside activity and a wider choice of restaurants. The comparison La Bresse or Gérardmer breaks down the differences in budget, accommodation and events between the two destinations to help you choose your base.
To build a full week-long programme with children, including one or two days in Gérardmer, the 7-day summer family holiday guide to La Bresse offers a day-by-day outline, covering the lake and hiking trails.
Between lake swimming, pedal boats, the Thursday market and an evening at the casino, summer in Gérardmer covers a wide range of water-based holiday activities, with rates and hours that change each season: it’s best to check the latest information with the tourist office or town hall before you go.
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Frequently asked questions
Is swimming at the lake in Gérardmer free in summer?
The municipal order reserves swimming for the designated beaches. The Union Nautique beach, staffed by lifeguards and reopened for the season on 13 June 2026, charges a fee: 6 euros per adult and 4.20 euros per child in 2026, free under age 4. Only the zone 2 natural bathing areas are tolerated for unsupervised swimming, up to 25 metres from the shore.
Where can you rent a pedal boat or electric boat in Gérardmer in summer?
Several boat docks sit side by side on quai du Lac in the town centre. La Chaloupe rents pedal boats (2 to 6 seats) and electric boats (2 to 12 seats, no licence needed) from early April to mid-October, daily from 10am to 7pm depending on weather. Life jackets are provided free of charge.
How much time should you plan for a summer trip to Gérardmer?
One day covers the lake, swimming and the town centre. To combine a walk around the lake, the night market and an evening at the casino or cinema, it's better to plan 2 to 3 days, or stay in La Bresse and make the round trip in about twenty minutes.