The lake, heart of the town
Lake Gérardmer is the largest natural lake in the Vosges. The path around it takes a little over an hour on flat, shaded ground suitable for pushchairs and children alike. In summer, three managed beaches offer supervised swimming, along with pedalos, paddleboards and rowing boats for hire. In winter, walking the lake under snow early in the morning is a rare kind of pleasure.
The town centre and markets
Rue Charles de Gaulle is lined with shops, confectioners and stores selling local Vosges produce. The market is held on Thursday mornings on place du Vieux Gérardmer: mountain cheeses, cured meats, bilberries in season. Do not leave without a farmhouse Munster, some fir honey or a bottle of beer brewed in the valley.
Food and local specialities
Eating well matters here. Munster cheese, tourte vosgienne, stream trout, bilberries and the famous Vosges sweets appear on most menus. The farm-inns up on the ridges serve the repas marcaire, a generous mountain set menu, while the town centre offers everything from winstubs to fine dining.
Something to do all year
The International Fantastic Film Festival in January, the Daffodil Festival in spring, lakes and trails in summer, the forest colours in October: Gérardmer has no real off-season. The chalet, for its part, is open all year.
