The departement of Vosges is located in the north-east of France, within the popular tourist region of Lorraine. Although it is a mainly rural region, Vosges is also home to some picturesque historic towns and villages, along with one of the most famous spa towns in Europe. History buffs will enjoy exploring sites that date from Roman times to the medieval era, while visitors who prefer the great outdoors are spoilt for choice thanks to the huge areas of forestry, lakes and rivers.
In the far western corner of Vosges is one of the most impressive Gallo-Roman archaeological sites in France – and amazingly it was only discovered in the last fifty years! Near the tiny village of Grand, archaeologists have now uncovered a large amphitheatre, exquisite mosaics and an underground gallery, all of which are open to the public. Heading forward in time, the village of Domremy-la-Pucelle, a few kilometres to the north, was the home of Joan of Arc. You can even the visit the house where she is reputed to have been born in 1492. The church where she was supposed to have heard voices remains a popular destination for tourists and those on religious pilgrimages.
Even more modern is the spa town of Vittel, home of the famous bottled water and a number of exclusive spas, some of which are still open to guests and visitors today. After a long day hiking in the Vosges countryside, head for Vittel and take a dip in the therapeutic waters.
Hikers and cyclists have a huge amount of space to explore in the Vosges region, which is among the most wooded areas in France. In the east is the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park, a huge area of open space and stunning countryside which stretches over four different departements covering nearly 3000 square kilometres. The Nature Park offers a variety of landscapes, from pleasant valleys to peaks of nearly 1,500 metres. Walking trails criss-cross the area, along with cycle routes, mountain bike courses and even bridle paths for horses. There are several equestrian centres in the area for those who want to enjoy the scenery from a different angle. The glacial Gerardmer lake is another huge natural attraction, with walkers and nature lovers both flocking to its shores. In the summer, there is swimming in the lake and there are several man-made beaches. Water sports such as sailing, canoeing and fishing are also available.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Vosges? Then below is a selection of gites in Vosges and villas in Vosges that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
