Gérardmer, nicknamed the pearl of the Vosges, is built around its glacial lake, the largest natural lake in the Vosges. Thermal spa town, ski resort and lively tourist hub year-round, it’s one of the big destinations in the massif.
History of Gérardmer
The town of Gérardmer has medieval origins: a charter granted in 1285 by the Duke of Lorraine, Ferri III, provides the first official mention of an organised community around the lake. Its name is thought to come from the Germanic first name “Gerhard” combined with the word “mer” (lake in Lorraine dialect), literally meaning “Gérard’s lake”.
The town experienced a tragic chapter in the Second World War: entirely burned by retreating German forces in November 1944, it was one of the most destroyed towns in France during the conflict. Almost no old building survived. The reconstruction, rapid and determined, produced the town we know today: architecture of the 1950s and 1960s, some more recent buildings, but always centred on its unchanging lake.
The lake itself is a legacy of the Quaternary glaciers: formed around 15,000 years ago as the ice tongues that sculpted the Vosges valleys retreated, it occupies a basin carved into the granitic basement of the massif.
The lake in numbers
- Surface: 115 hectares
- Maximum depth: 38 metres
- Length: approximately 3 km from north to south
- Maximum width: 750 metres
- Altitude: 669 m
- Lake circuit: 6.5 km (on foot or by bike)
- Water temperature: up to 24°C in August, supervised swimming from mid-June to end of August
Around the lake
The Gérardmer lake (115 ha, 38 m deep) offers a 6.5 km walk or cycle loop, supervised beaches in summer, pedalos, rowing boats, sailing and paddle-boarding. Swimming up to 24°C in August.
Water sports in detail
The lake is equipped for a wide range of water activities:
- Sailing school: introductory and advanced courses for children and adults, dinghies and catamarans available for hire. Bookings via the municipal water sports centre.
- Stand-up paddle: hourly or daily rental on the main beach. Accessible from age 12, ideal for exploring the banks at a gentle pace.
- Kayak and canoe: single or double boat rental. The lake circuit by kayak takes about 1h30 at an easy pace.
- Pedalos and rowing boats: family classics, suitable for children of all ages.
- Lake diving: the Gérardmer diving club offers introductory sessions and training in the lake’s clear water (visibility varies by season). Discovering the 38-metre depth and the lake fauna (perch, pike, trout) is a memorable experience.
The village
Casino, cinema, shops, restaurants, Thursday-morning market. Lively but still human scale. In winter, fairy lights turn the centre into a Christmas stage set.
Gérardmer at night
The town offers a livelier evening scene than La Bresse, making it a complementary destination for nights out:
- Casino de Gérardmer: open in the evenings, slot machines, table games, integrated restaurant and bar. A festive atmosphere especially during events (film festival, Christmas period).
- Restaurants open late: several establishments serve until 10pm or 10:30pm, especially lakefront pizzerias and brasseries.
- Bars and terraces: in summer, the lake-shore terraces come alive until midnight. Family-friendly but festive, especially at weekends.
- Cinema: regular programme all year round, evening screenings including outside the tourist season.
Key events
- Fantastic’ Arts in January
- Christmas market in December
- Daffodil Festival in April (odd-numbered years)
- Night lake tours in summer
Hikes from Gérardmer
The lake is just the starting point. Several hikes are accessible directly from the town centre:
- Saut des Cuves: 20 minutes on foot from the centre. Waterfalls in a gorge of granite rock, spectacular in spring when the snow melts.
- Lac de Longemer: 45 minutes’ walk along the forest path. Smaller and wilder glacial lake, peaceful atmosphere.
- Lac de Retournemer: 1 hour from Gérardmer on the Schlucht road then a sidetrack. A gem of the massif, surrounded by fir forests.
- Col de la Schlucht (and Hohneck access): 1.5 to 2 hours from Gérardmer for experienced walkers. 20-minute drive.
Getting to Gérardmer without a car
Car-free access is possible but requires some planning:
- Bus from Épinal: the Épinal-Gérardmer regular line (about 1 hour) is operated by Vosges public transport. Reduced frequency outside the tourist season.
- Shuttle from La Bresse: in high season (summer and winter holidays), inter-resort shuttles may run. Check with the La Bresse Tourist Office.
- Carpooling: BlaBlaCar regularly connects Épinal, Nancy and Strasbourg to Gérardmer, especially in peak season.
Out of the village
- Saut des Cuves: lovely waterfalls 10 min away
- Route des Crêtes: 20-min drive to the Hohneck
- Skiing at La Mauselaine then at La Bresse Hohneck
- Spa at the Grand Hôtel
Where to eat
Several good tables facing the lake, Vosges brasseries, crêperies. Price level: similar to Gérardmer, slightly above La Bresse.
Base or day-trip?
For a weekend, Gérardmer is ideal. For a week with family and mountain activities, La Bresse is quieter and works as an excellent base with a day trip to Gérardmer.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Gérardmer from La Bresse?
15 km, about 20 minutes by car. A panoramic mountain road, with shuttles in high season.