Fougerolles and Luxeuil-les-Bains form a little-known duo on the border between the Vosges and Haute-Saône: on one side, the capital of AOC kirsch with its century-old distilleries, on the other, a thermal town open to day visitors. From La Bresse, the route works well as a full day out, heading south through the massif via Le Thillot and Plancher-les-Mines. Here are the addresses, prices and opening hours to plan the trip.
Fougerolles, capital of AOC kirsch
Fougerolles-Saint-Valbert has grown the guigne for generations, a black cherry grown specifically for distilling. Kirsch de Fougerolles was granted its AOC status in 2010, a rare recognition: the sector counts only 10,000 cherry trees spread across 10 communes, tended by 79 member producers, according to figures published by the Kirsch de Fougerolles trade association. The specifications require that fermentation, distillation and aging all take place within the designated appellation zone.
To understand this history, the Écomusée du Pays de la Cerise has set up its exhibits in a former distillers’ estate from the 1830s, listed as a Historic Monument and surrounded by a conservation orchard. The address is 206 le Petit-Fahys, 70220 Fougerolles-Saint-Valbert. The museum is open from 15 February to 15 November, every day except Tuesday, from 2pm to 6pm, with extended hours in July and August (11am to 7pm daily). Ticket sales stop an hour before closing, and the visit takes about 90 minutes.
Individual rates are 7 euros for adults, 4 euros for those aged 13 to 25 and students, 3 euros for children aged 6 to 12, free below that, with a family pass (2 adults and at least 2 children) at 18 euros. Half the site is wheelchair accessible, and there is a bike-friendly welcome for cyclists passing through. For another food-themed stop to visit as a family before or after the trip, Confiserie Bressaude in La Bresse follows the same logic of a free, accessible visit.
The distilleries to visit in Fougerolles
Beyond the museum, several historic distilleries are based in Fougerolles and can be visited according to their own arrangements. The Paul Devoille distillery, founded in 1859 and labeled Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant, offers tours and tastings, with a range spanning from kirsch eau-de-vie to absinthe. The Grandes Distilleries Peureux, founded in 1864, are known for their Griottines candied cherries and their AOC kirsch. The Lemercier Frères distillery, the oldest in the commune (1811), still produces AOC kirsch, pastis and flavored vodkas.
This network of artisan distilleries echoes the Vosges craft brewery scene: our guide to craft breweries around La Bresse covers the same kind of small producers opening their doors on weekends for guided tours. It is best to contact each distillery beforehand to check public opening days and hours, which vary depending on the season and staff availability.
Luxeuil-les-Bains and its thermal baths open to day visitors
About twenty minutes’ drive from Fougerolles, Luxeuil-les-Bains is a thermal town whose origins go back to Gallo-Roman times. The Thermes de Luxeuil operate as a medical treatment center for much of the year, but also offer a wellness area open to day visitors, with no medical prescription needed.
This wellness area (pool, hammam, jacuzzi) is open from mid-March to mid-November, from 3pm onward, according to the Luxeuil, Vosges du Sud tourist office. The thermal water stays at a constant 34 degrees year-round. Access is limited to those aged 12 and over, with ID required. For up-to-date prices and precise hours by day of the week, the tourist office (30 rue Victor Genoux, 70300 Luxeuil-les-Bains, phone 03 84 40 06 41) is the most reliable source to check before setting off.
The historic center of Luxeuil is also worth a stop, with its Saint-Pierre basilica and arcaded houses, in a short-visit format that fits well with the rest of the day.
Faucogney-et-la-Mer, a heritage stop on the way back
On the way back toward the Vosges, Faucogney-et-la-Mer carries the Cité de Caractère de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté label. This castle town, once a stronghold guarding the border between Franche-Comté and Lorraine, is notable for its église Saint-Martin, perched on a rocky outcrop and counted among the oldest buildings in Franche-Comté, according to the Haute-Saône departmental tourist office.
The village also gives access to the plateau des Mille Étangs, nicknamed “little Finland” for its patchwork of lakes and peat bogs, with an FFCT-labeled mountain bike base offering routes from beginner to advanced. A short walk around the village center is enough to round out the itinerary without stretching the day too long.
Planning the day from La Bresse
The route connects La Bresse to the southern end of the Vosges massif via Le Thillot and Plancher-les-Mines, before crossing over to Fougerolles and then Luxeuil-les-Bains. On the way back, Faucogney-et-la-Mer allows for a loop rather than retracing the same road. This route of flavors works well as a full day out, with an early start if you want to fit in the museum, the distilleries and the thermal baths without rushing.
To extend the food theme before heading back to the Vosges, our guide to farm inns around La Bresse usefully rounds out this road trip with a local terroir stop closer to the starting point. Before setting off, check the current hours for each site on their official pages, since they change with the seasons.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit the Écomusée du Pays de la Cerise in Fougerolles?
The adult rate is 7 euros, 4 euros for those aged 13 to 25 and students, 3 euros for children aged 6 to 12, and free under 6. A family pass (2 adults and at least 2 children) costs 18 euros. Plan on about 90 minutes for the visit.
Can you visit the distilleries in Fougerolles?
Several distilleries in the Pays de la Cerise welcome guests, including the Paul Devoille distillery, labeled Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant, which offers tours and tastings. Other houses such as Lemercier Frères or the Grandes Distilleries Peureux should be contacted directly to check their visiting arrangements.
Can you use the Thermes de Luxeuil-les-Bains without a medical treatment course?
Yes. The wellness area (pool, hammam, jacuzzi) is open to day visitors from mid-March to mid-November, from 3pm onward. Access is limited to those aged 12 and over, and you will need to show ID.