✨Gérardmer in Summer: The Ultimate Guide
to 15 Must-Do Activities 2026 ☀️

From our A-frame chalets in Barbey-Seroux, just 10 km from Gérardmer, every summer we welcome hundreds of travellers who discover the “ Pearl of the Vosges ” in the sunshine. After three years of guiding our guests to the best summer experiences, we have gathered in this guide the 15 must-do activities to make the most of Gérardmer in summer.

Whether you come as a family, a couple or with friends, whether you are sporty or contemplative, a nature lover or a foodie, Gérardmer in summer offers a wealth of experiences that turn every stay into an unforgettable memory. And after your days of exploring, nothing beats coming back to our chalets for a relaxing evening in your private Nordic bath under the Vosges stars.

In this Complete guide : lake activities, secret hikes, tested restaurants, market times, local tips and practical advice for a successful summer holiday in Gérardmer.

Lake Gérardmer in summer – Aerial view and water sports

Sleep in peace 10 minutes from the lake: romantic weekend in a chalet with a Nordic bath, or a stay in the Vosges with your dog (dogs are welcome in all three chalets).

🏊 Activities on Lake Gérardmer in summer

The Lake Gérardmer, of glacial origin, is of course the beating heart of the town in summer. At 2.2 km long and with its pleasant temperature from June to September, it offers a host of refreshing activities.

Swimming and beaches

The lake has several access points to the water. In summer, swimming is supervised at the municipal beach on the west shore, which has play equipment for children; elsewhere you swim at your own risk. At the height of summer the water can reach 23 °C.

Our hosts' tip : come early in the morning or late in the day, when the lake is calm again.

Water sports: paddleboard, kayak, pedalo

Several rental outlets around the lake, including the Union Nautique, offer paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, pedalos, electric boats, sailing and windsurfing. Prices and opening hours change every season: see the water sports page of the tourist office.

The lake is about 10 km from our chalets.

Around the lake on foot or by bike

The path around the whole lake is about 5 to 6 km long and takes 1h30 on foot. It is flat, accessible to everyone, and offers In magnificent views of the surrounding mountains.

🚴 Bike hire : several rental shops in the valley offer mountain bikes and e-bikes. Book ahead in July–August.

🥾 Hiking and Nature:
What to do in Gérardmer in summer?

If you are staying in our chalets in Barbey-Seroux, you are at the ideal starting point for the best hikes around Gérardmer in summer. Lace up your walking boots and explore Vosges nature!

Our 5 favourite hikes
around Gérardmer

• 1. Le Saut des Cuves (easy — about 1h20, 4 km)
  Access: about 20 minutes by car from the chalets, between Gérardmer and Xonrupt-Longemer.
  The Vologne tumbles between large granite boulders and has carved “cuves” (basins) into the rock. The walk easily continues to nearby Lake Longemer.
• 2. Le Hohneck (moderate)
  Access: about 35 to 40 minutes by car to the Col de la Schlucht.
  The third-highest summit in the Vosges (1,363 m), the Hohneck offers a 360° panorama over the Vosges, the Black Forest and, on clear days, the Alps. The path crosses the chaumes, the high mountain pastures.

Local tip : go up early in the morning to enjoy the light and avoid the crowds.

• 3. Around Lake Retournemer (easy — 30 to 45 min)
  Access: about 25 minutes by car.
  This small wild lake at the end of the valley is much quieter than Lake Gérardmer. The loop is less than 2 km.
• 4. Le Saut de la Bourrique (easy — 40 min round trip)
  Access: in Gérardmer, car park on chemin du Sapois.
  A pretty waterfall in the forest, ideal for a short outing with children. The path was closed for works in 2024: check it is open before you go.
• 5. Le Sentier des Roches (difficult — about 4h30, 10 km)
  Access: Col de la Schlucht car park, about 35 to 40 minutes by car.
  A spectacular path cut into the cliff, with handrails and footbridges. Closed from 1 November to 30 April and not recommended in the rain, it is for experienced hikers only. Check it is open before you go.

Waterfalls and viewpoints

For a shorter walk:

• – Roche des Bioquets : about 40 minutes' walk from the Hautes Vannes car park, with views over the La Bresse valley and the ridges
• – Tour de Mérelle : a lookout tower with 85 steps and views over the lake and town (loop of about 2 hours)
• – Lake Longemer : right next to the Saut des Cuves, perfect for a picnic by the water

All these sites are less than 40 minutes by car from our chalets.

Our favourite waterfalls and walks

We have been to all these places ourselves and reviewed them on Google.

• – The Champ de roches (boulder field) (Barbey-Seroux, 2.5 km from the chalets): a 400 m long flow of granite boulders left by the glacier, where nothing grows. Waymarked discovery trail, just under an hour on site, fine with children (closed shoes, stones slippery when wet). 5 minutes by car, or on foot through the forest.
• – Le Saut du Bouchot (Sapois): one of the most beautiful waterfalls around the chalets, a series of splendid cascades in every season.
• – Creuse Goutte waterfall (Sapois): a little harder to reach, but well worth the detour, especially in autumn colours.
• – The big and small Tendon waterfalls : a nice loop of about an hour between the two. The car park at the small waterfall is bigger, so we recommend it. Busy at weekends.
• – Charlemagne waterfall (Xonrupt-Longemer): a slightly steep but very short access path. Not suitable for pushchairs.
• – Mérelle waterfall (Gérardmer): a pleasant hike in unspoilt surroundings, and an impressive waterfall.
• – The Perles de Vologne trail (Xonrupt-Longemer): a woodland walk along the Vologne river.
• – Heidenbad waterfall (Wildenstein, 30 minutes from the chalets): very beautiful and easy to reach, not to be missed.

🚴 Mountain Biking and Sports
in Gérardmer in Summer

In summer, Gérardmer is also an exceptional playground for thrill-seekers and outdoor sports lovers.

Marked mountain bike trails

The La Bresse-Hohneck bike park opens in summer (May to September in 2025) with freeride trails, technical trails, mountain bike routes and a pump track:

• – Trails for all levels, from beginner to expert
• – Lifts to take you and your bike up
• – On-site hire of downhill bikes and electric mountain bikes

Prices and opening dates: check the resort's website before you go.

Tree-top adventure

Acro-sphère, at the Bout du Lac in Gérardmer, offers 16 tree-top courses from age 4, with zip lines. Allow 1 to 3 hours depending on the course. Information and prices: +33 3 29 63 02 36.

Our hosts' tip : in July–August, book the day before to avoid waiting.

Disc golf and tennis

• – La Mauselaine disc golf : a disc golf (frisbee) course in the heart of nature, on the heights above Gérardmer
• – Gérardmer Tennis Club : 8 courts, quai du Locle

🍽️ Food and Local Markets

What to do in Gérardmer in summer for foodies?
Vosges cuisine alone is worth the trip!

Gérardmer markets: times and produce

Weekly market on Thursday and Saturday mornings (8 am–12.30 pm, place du 8 Mai 1945)
Highlights include:

• – Vosges cheeses: Munster, Bargkass, Géromé
• – Vosges cured meats and smoked ham
• – Artisan honeys and jams
• – Local fruit and vegetables
• – Vosges crafts

Our tip : arrive early for the best choice at the cheese stalls.

Granges-Aumontzey market (Tuesday morning)
A few minutes from our chalets, a village market that is quieter than Gérardmer's. In July and August, an evening craft market also livens up the village on Wednesdays. Perfect for buying what you need for dinner at the chalet.

Our tested restaurants

The places we have tested ourselves and recommend to our guests:

Restaurant Le Détour (Gérardmer)
Lamb shank, salmon, a nice choice of wines by the glass and a warm welcome. “5 stars — rare, but well earned.”

Le Refuge (Gérardmer)
For meat lovers: a well-marbled rib of beef, delicious.

La Clairière (Xonrupt-Longemer)
Ideal by the water in summer, with boats and pedalos for hire until 7 pm. Perfect with children.

Find our full selection in our guide to the best restaurants in Gérardmer.

Vosges specialities you must try

• – Farmhouse Munster : soft cow's milk cheese
• – Tofailles : potatoes slow-cooked in a covered pot with bacon, onions and white wine
• – Vosges meat pie : puff pastry filled with pork, often with veal, marinated in white wine
• – Vosges blueberries : in tarts, jam or fresh (season July–September)
• – Local beer : the Vosges have many craft breweries

🎭 Summer Culture and Events
in Gérardmer

In summer, Gérardmer also comes alive in the evening.

Festivals, concerts and fireworks

MusicoLac festival
A French song and rock festival by the lake. Check dates and programme each year, along with other open-air concerts during the season.

Summer concerts
Free concerts are held on some summer evenings, notably at the Les Granges-Bas campsite. See the tourist office calendar.

Fireworks
There is a fireworks display on 14 July, and the Féerie du Lac, the big fireworks show over the lake, takes place on 14 August (cancelled in 2026 due to drought).

Cultural visits

• – Lorraine Wildlife Museum, in Xonrupt-Longemer: a museum devoted to the wildlife of our forests, open all year
• – Saint-Barthélemy church : rebuilt after the 1940 fire and completed in 1954, with stained glass by François Chapuis
• – Tour de Mérelle : a 19th-century lookout tower with a panorama over the lake

Local crafts and shops

Don't miss the Confiserie des Hautes-Vosges, in Plainfaing, to watch sweets being made by hand. Free visit with tasting, open every day.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family Activities
in Gérardmer in Summer

With children

• – Supervised beach on the west shore, with play equipment and inflatables
• – Acro-sphère : tree-top courses from age 4
• – Pedalos and kayaks on the lake
• – Saut de la Bourrique : an easy-to-reach waterfall for little legs
• – Les Plombes farm (Xonrupt-Longemer): a great outing with children, and good cheese to take home
• – The cuddly toy workshop (Gérardmer): children make their own cuddly toy, ideal on rainy days

Activities for children

In summer the tourist office runs activities for children (treasure hunt, kayaking, farm visit…), and the Haut Chitelet alpine garden hosts its free Estivales. Programme in thetourist office calendar.

Mountains Day trips
Close to Gérardmer

Route des Crêtes

This scenic road of almost 90 km follows the crest of the Vosges to Cernay. Must-see stops:

• – Col de la Schlucht (20 min from Gérardmer): Haut Chitelet alpine garden, starting point for hikes
• – Le Hohneck : third-highest summit in the Vosges (1,363 m)
• – Grand Ballon : highest point of the Vosges (1,424 m)

Allow a full day. Many mountain restaurants (farm inns).

Picturesque Vosges villages

• – Kaysersberg (about 55 min from Gérardmer): voted France's favourite village in 2017
• – Riquewihr (about 1h10): medieval town in the heart of the Alsace vineyards
• – Munster (about 40 min): cheese capital, market on Tuesdays and Saturdays

Smaller lakes: Longemer and Retournemer

10 to 15 minutes from Gérardmer, these two wilder lakes offer peace and unspoilt nature. Perfect for a lakeside picnic or a quiet swim away from the crowds.

🌙 What to do in the evening
in Gérardmer in summer?

Terraces and cinema

In the evening, stroll along the lake and enjoy the terraces in the town centre.

The Casino du Lac houses Gérardmer's cinema (one screen, full price €7.50).

Back to the chalets for a Nordic bath under the stars

After a busy day exploring Gérardmer in summer, our guests particularly enjoy coming back to Les Atypiques Chalets to light their private Nordic bath. Under the Vosges stars, in 38°C wood-heated water, overlooking the forest… it's THE perfect moment to round off a summer day in Gérardmer.

👉 Discover our 3 A-frame chalets with private Nordic bath

❓ FAQ
Your Questions about Gérardmer in Summer

Can you swim in Lake Gérardmer?

Yes. Swimming is supervised in summer at the municipal beach on the west shore; elsewhere you swim at your own risk. At the height of summer the water can reach 23 °C.

What are the best hikes
in Gérardmer in summer?

Our favourites: the Saut des Cuves (easy, about 1h20), the Hohneck for the panorama (moderate) and the walk around Lake Retournemer (easy, under an hour). Some trails also start right from our chalets in Barbey-Seroux.

Are there activities for children
in Gérardmer in summer?

Yes: supervised swimming with play equipment at the municipal beach, tree-top courses at Acro-sphère (from age 4), pedalos and kayaks on the lake, easy-to-reach waterfalls and tourist office activities during the holidays.

Where to stay to enjoy
of Gérardmer in summer?

We recommend staying in Barbey-Seroux, 10 km from Gérardmer. You enjoy the peace of the Vosges forest while being close to the lake and activities. Our A-frame chalets with private Nordic bath offer the perfect combination: nature + wellness + close to Gérardmer.

What budget should you plan for a holiday
in Gérardmer in summer?

For a couple, allow around €530–740 for 3 days/2 nights including accommodation, meals and activities. The local markets let you cook at the chalet and cut your restaurant budget.

Is a car essential
In Gérardmer?

Strongly recommended to explore the surroundings (Route des Crêtes, Alsace villages, hikes). Gérardmer town centre can be reached on foot or by shuttle from some accommodation, but a car gives you much more freedom to make the most of the region.

What to do in Gérardmer
in summer when it rains?

If it rains: Musée Faune Lorraine in Xonrupt-Longemer, Confiserie des Hautes-Vosges in Plainfaing (free visit), the Casino du Lac cinema, the town-centre shops, or relaxing in your chalet's Nordic bath — hot water in the rain is a magical experience!

Are there markets
in Gérardmer in summer?

Yes, the main market takes place every Thursday and Saturday morning (8 am–12.30 pm) on place du 8 Mai 1945, with many local producers. A few minutes from our chalets, Granges-Aumontzey market is held on Tuesday mornings, and an evening craft market takes place there on Wednesdays in July and August.

Our A-frame chalets with private Nordic bath 10 km from Gérardmer – The perfect retreat after your summer days of exploring

Book your summer stay in Gérardmer

Fancy enjoying all these activities on your next summer holiday in Gérardmer? Our 3 A-frame chalets welcome you in Barbey-Seroux, 10 km from Gérardmer, for a stay combining discovery of the region and relaxation in your private hot tub.

Our chalets for your holiday in Gérardmer :

• – Iorik chalet, 4 people — from €189/night cleaning included
• – Aslan chalet, 5 people — from €205/night cleaning included
• – Chalet for 6 people — from €213/night cleaning included

👉 Book your chalet for summer 2026 now

François and Sibel will answer your questions within 24 hours in French and German.

Gérardmer Tourist Office