General information on the Vosges region
Information on skiing
Information on alpine skiing near Gerardmer is here.
You will find some general information in this brochure ( Pdf) here..
Information on ski-stations (Pdf) is here.
(Photos: CRT- Lorraine)
Forests, lakes and water
In the Vosges there are many streams and rivers. We see a lot of (fly) fishers. Because the soil is so rocky the water goes either under or above the ground to places that lie lower.
A bit more to the west there are cities like Vittel and Contrexeville. The water here is famous because of the natural springs. It is enriched with all kind of minerals. Also there is a natural kind of clay. These cities are well known because of their natural spas, beauty clinics and saunas. We can give you some addresses.
A little bit closer to our vacation houses is the beautiful lake of Gérardmer. There are some other lakes nearby for example near Xonrupt.
Lake “Pierre Percée” near Vexaincourt is not a natural lake, but it is also magnificent. The EDF, the electricity company of France, uses the difference in heights for ‘making’ electrical power (hydroelectricity)
Vosgescanoe (kano)
Would you like to take a trip in a canoe or kayak ? It is possible! You could start at different places. Phone : 06 08 79 04 50 or look at their: internet site.
Golf
For an overview of golf courses in the Alsace region please click here.
For an overview of golf courses in the Lorraine region please click here.
Or click:
Hiking
In the vast forests you can walk for hours without meeting anyone. There are districted trails for walking, for instance from the Club Vosgien. We can lend you some maps if you let us.
Ferme-auberges
In the neighbourhood there are several farm restaurants. For a reasonable price you’ll be able to eat here. The farmers produce different cheeses ( Munster), goose liver, all kind of fruits, fresh or in a jam or marmalade, think about cherries, strawberries, bluets, framboesia and barmen, and of course honey. (miel)
You can often buy these right at the farm. In the Alsace there’s also the wine.
In the region there are a number of special shops and markets that sell local products and foods. We have some useful addresses for you.
History
Besides being beautiful, this region has many places of historical interest. Of special note are sites from both the World Wars.
In the old cities and villages you will find lots of museums, churches and other places of interest. Our chalets are located only a few miles from the Alsace region, which is quite different from Lorraine.
Glasses
Baccarat crystal has been well known for centuries. In
chateaux around the world you will find it in beautiful chandeliers. Another example
are the many kinds of hand blown wine glasses you can find. To the list of
interesting places to visit, we add the city of Baccarat. You can visit the town and the many
ateliers. There is also an interesting museum.
Wine
'Life is too short to drink bad wine.' The Vosges mountains are like a natural protection to the slopes of the Alsace region. The mountains literally pull the rains from the sky so it is relatively dry in the Alsace. What results is a micro climate suitable for the production of great wines.
The 'Route du Vin' is a 'must'. Lot's of nice little villages and of course lots of stops for wine-tasting. Please click on wine tasting to find out what JoliSoleil can do for you in relation to wine.
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