Gérardmer is about 20 minutes by road from La Bresse, making it an easy day trip for families staying on the Hohneck side who want a change of scenery. The lake, the adventure courses, and the summer luge fill a whole day without covering the same ground twice. Here are the best kid-friendly activities, with ages, prices, and opening times checked with the Gérardmer tourist office, the town hall, and the operators themselves.
Gérardmer lake, the base for the day
Gérardmer lake is the largest natural lake in the Vosges: 115 hectares, at 660 m altitude, of glacial origin. A marked 6 km footpath goes all the way around, but the tourist office warns that one narrow, stony section is not passable with a pushchair. It pairs well with the walks covered in the La Bresse family guide.
Supervised swimming is only at the Union Nautique beach, from June to September, and that beach charges for entry: 6 € per adult and 4.20 € per child at the 2026 standard rate, free under 4. Around the rest of the shoreline, several natural spots allow swimming without supervision, with one rule the municipal police keep repeating: do not go more than 25 metres from the shore. Better suited to kids who already swim well, or with close adult supervision. On the water, only unpowered boats or electric-powered boats are allowed on the lake. Pedal boats and electric boats can be hired on the Quai du Lac, where the tourist office lists two operators, La Perle and La Chaloupe. The latter runs its season from early April to mid-October, weather permitting.
Acro-Sphère and the Schlucht summer luge
For kids who like a bit of thrill, two options near the lake complement each other well.
Acro-Sphère, an adventure park set in the Cirque Sauvage 200 m from the lake, has 16 courses at various levels, fully secured with a continuous lifeline, with zip lines up to 200 m and platforms from 3 to 40 m high. A children’s course is available from age 4 and 1 m tall, taking on average 1 to 4 hours depending on the course chosen. For 2026 the operator states that all its activities are open daily from 4 July to 31 August, 10am to 7pm; outside that window, dates have to be checked with the park directly. It holds the Famille Plus label and also offers a Sentier des Chatouilles trail and an outdoor exploration game (Explor’Games).
The summer luge at Col de la Schlucht has 107 m of vertical drop over two 850 m runs. The sledges are single-seaters: a child rides alone from 1.25 m tall, and below that height the luge is not allowed at all, with no option of an adult riding along. The 2026 ticket, at 8.20 €, includes the chairlift up and the luge ride down. The summer season ends on 30 August 2026 and, in heavy humidity or bad weather, the operator can close the run, so check whether it is running that day and have a backup plan for this slot.
Saut des Cuves, a short walk with young children
Saut des Cuves is the best-known waterfall site in the valley of the lakes: the Vologne river drops in a series of falls among large granite boulders. A short walk away are the Pont des Fées bridge (rebuilt in 1782), the Pierre Charlemagne rock, and the Îles Marie-Louise. Access is via a short walk from the Saut des Cuves roundabout, making it a convenient stop between the lake and the Schlucht, even with children who cannot walk far.
On a rainy day: the aquatic centre and toy library
When the weather turns, Gérardmer’s aquatic and wellness centre is a good addition to the indoor options already listed for La Bresse. The pool complex has a paddling pool, a double learner and activity pool, and a slide. 2025/2026 full rates are €6.80 for adults and €5 for children, with free entry for children under 4 from outside the town and under 10 for Gérardmer residents. A swim cap is required and swim shorts are not allowed.
For a quieter break, the Ludothèque du Tilleul toy library has games on site, handy in the late afternoon with tired young children.
Planning a day out from La Bresse
The La Bresse to Gérardmer drive takes about 20 minutes, which opens up several combinations depending on the children’s ages:
- Morning at the lake, afternoon at Acro-Sphère: swimming or pedal boats in the morning, then the children’s course in the afternoon once it warms up.
- Summer luge late morning, Saut des Cuves late afternoon: two short activities that avoid long queues.
- Rainy day: the aquatic centre in the morning, the toy library or an indoor museum in the afternoon.
The lakeside car park (Quai du Locle) and the town-centre one (Place du Tilleul, behind the bandstand) fill up fast on weekends in July and August: aim to arrive before 10am. To fit these outings into a longer stay, the guide things to do in La Bresse in July covers the full programme on the La Bresse side. Watch the season: the summer luge closes on 30 August 2026 and Acro-Sphère stops opening daily after 31 August, so call the operators before setting off in autumn.
See also
- All family activities in La Bresse
- What to do in La Bresse when it rains
- Things to do in La Bresse in July
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Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive between La Bresse and Gérardmer?
About 20 minutes by road. This makes it easy to stay in La Bresse and still spend a full day in Gérardmer without any hassle.
From what age can kids ride the summer luge and Acro-Sphère?
The Schlucht summer luge is a single-seater ridden alone from 1.25 m tall; below that height it is not allowed. Acro-Sphère has a children's course from age 4 and 1 m tall, with longer courses for older kids.
Is swimming supervised at Gérardmer lake?
Yes, but only at the Union Nautique beach, from June to September, and that beach charges for entry. Elsewhere around the lake, swimming is allowed but not supervised.