30 minutes by car from La Bresse, Remiremont is the oldest town in the Vosges (founded in the 7th century). It has exceptional religious heritage and the atmosphere of an intact little bourgeois town.
The must-sees
Saint Pierre Abbey
Founded in the 7th century, rebuilt in Gothic style, with a rare Merovingian crypt. One of the finest Romanesque buildings in Lorraine.
The arcades of Rue Charles de Gaulle
200 metres of 18th-century arcaded galleries, lined with shops and restaurants. The village’s place of life. These arcades are a unique architectural curiosity in France: this arrangement of covered open-air urban galleries is only found in two other European cities, Berne (Switzerland) and Bolzano (Italy), giving Remiremont a truly exceptional status at national level.
The Abbatial Palace
Former seat of the Chapter of Noble Ladies, today town hall and museum. Remarkable 18th-century salons.
Charles Friry Museum
Superbly preserved 17th-century house, paintings, sculptures, religious art.
The Chapter of Noble Ladies: history of an exceptional order
The Chapter of Noble Ladies of Remiremont is one of the most fascinating religious institutions of medieval Lorraine. Founded in the 7th century as a mixed Benedictine monastery, it gradually transformed into an aristocratic chapter reserved for women of high nobility. To be admitted, a candidate had to prove sixteen quarterings of nobility on both the paternal and maternal sides, making it one of the most selective orders in Europe.
The canonesses, known as dames du chapitre, were not nuns in the strict sense: they could own property, leave the convent and even marry after departing. They governed a quasi-autonomous ecclesiastical principality, minted coins and administered justice. The chapter reached its peak in the 17th and 18th centuries, before being dissolved during the French Revolution in 1790. The abbatial palace survives as a witness to this exceptional institution.
The arcades in detail: 200 metres of urban history
Built in the 18th century to protect inhabitants and merchants from the Vosges rains, the arcades of Rue Charles de Gaulle stretch for 200 continuous metres. Their distinctive feature: the house facades rest on sandstone pillars, creating a covered passage at street level while the upper floors belong to private owners. This system of “load-bearing arcades” is extremely rare in France, comparable only to Berne and Bolzano for this exact type of medieval and baroque urban gallery.
Getting there from La Bresse by car
The most pleasant route from La Bresse follows the D43 towards Cornimont, then the Moselotte valley to Remiremont. Allow 30 minutes in normal conditions, 40 minutes in snowy winter conditions.
More panoramic variant (30 extra minutes): join the route des crêtes via the Col de Bramont, descend towards Bussang then follow the Moselle to Remiremont. Possible stop in Gérardmer if the day is long.
Free parking in Remiremont: several free parking areas exist in the town centre, notably along the Moselle quays and behind the covered market. Allow 5 minutes on foot from most car parks to reach the arcades.
Remiremont’s markets
Two weekly markets animate the town:
- Tuesday morning: market on Place de la République, mainly food. Local market gardeners, cheese sellers, charcutiers, fishmongers. Open 7:30am to 12:30pm.
- Friday morning: extended market on Place de la République and surroundings. The more generous of the two, with producers from across the massif. Specialities to grab: fermier munster, bilberries (local blueberries) in season, sourdough country bread, Vosges honey, smoked charcuterie.
Both markets are 5 minutes on foot from the arcades: ideal for assembling a picnic before heading back.
Children in Remiremont
Remiremont is richer than it appears for families with children:
- Donkey museum: near the town, a working farm hosts donkeys that children can stroke and feed. Contact the Remiremont tourist office for the exact address and opening hours.
- Abbatial palace gardens: calm green space, ideal for an afternoon snack after visiting. Benches, lawns, centuries-old trees.
- Municipal library: regular activities for 3-10 year olds (readings, story time, workshops). Programme on the town’s website. Ideal when the weather turns bad.
- Walk along the Moselotte: flat and safe path, perfect for young children on foot or in a pushchair.
Restaurants under the arcades and nearby
Rue Charles de Gaulle and its surroundings offer a good variety of dining:
- Brasseries and cafés: several establishments serve quick lunch menus at 12-15 euros, local draught beers. Terraces sheltered by the arcades, practical in changeable weather.
- Traiteurs: two or three delis offer hot dishes to take away, perfect for a quick lunch between sights.
- Fine food shops: Lorraine foie gras, confit, honey, regional biscuits. Worth visiting to bring home local produce.
- Patisseries: strong Vosges tradition, with madeleines, Remiremont biscuits and seasonal fruit cakes.
Ideal day combining Remiremont and La Bresse
Morning (9am-12:30pm): leave La Bresse around 9am via the D43. Arrive in Remiremont, park on the Moselle quay. Visit Saint Pierre Abbey (45 min), walk the arcades (30 min), Charles Friry museum or abbatial palace as preferred (45 min). If it is Tuesday or Friday, browse the market on Place de la République before or after.
Lunch (12:30pm-2pm): table under the arcades or a deli with a picnic in the Chapitre park. Budget 12-18 euros per adult at a brasserie, less at a deli.
Afternoon (2pm-5pm): return to La Bresse. Option 1: head straight back (30 min) for a late-afternoon spa or walk at Lac des Corbeaux. Option 2: detour via Gérardmer to see the lake before returning.
The Retro Racing Car Show
Each spring, Remiremont becomes a hotspot for enthusiasts. See our article on the show.
Walks
- Along the Moselotte
- The Chapitre park
- Tête des Cuveaux by car + 1h on foot, fine panoramas
Combine with La Bresse
An excellent plan B for a rainy day or a Saturday off the slopes: visit Remiremont in the morning, lunch under the arcades, return to La Bresse (30 min) for a late-afternoon spa session at our chalet.
Frequently asked questions
How long for a Remiremont visit?
Half a day covers the essentials: abbey, arcades, abbatial palace. A full day with the Charles Friry museum, a Moselle walk and lunch on the spot.
Is it a driveable day out from La Bresse?
Yes, 30 min by car. Ideal plan B for a rainy day or a Saturday off-piste.
When are the market days?
Tuesday and Friday morning under the arcades. A lively little market with local producers and artisans.
Is there paid parking?
Paid zones in the centre, free parking a little further out (Parc du Chapitre). Electric charging stations available.