The ultimate 3 day trip to the Vosges, France

The Vosges are a mountain range in northeastern France that separates the plains of Alsace to the east from Lorraine to the west. They are also the name of a French department. To be honest, they are one of the most beautiful regions I have visited in France so far. The area is full of nature, with vegetation that is very different from what you can find near Paris. The landscapes and lakes can make you feel like you are in Canada or even in the Alps. If you are looking for a nature escape from city life, I believe the Vosges are one of the best places to visit, with many outdoor activities like hiking and cycling, as well as fewer crowds than other destinations in France.

The Vosges department in France

There is so much to see in the Vosges that three days is definitely not enough to explore the whole region, but this short three day escape will allow you to experience some of the most beautiful places the Vosges has to offer.

The most iconic place in the Vosges is probably Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park which covers a large portion of the region. What makes the Vosges special is its rounded mountains, called ballons in french. For this trip we chose a couple of different hikes in the park as well as two lakes and an optional visit to Colmar.

How to go to the Vosges from Paris?

If you are planning on doing several hikes and visits, I strongly recommend renting a car. However, the drive from Paris can be quite long, taking around 4–6 hours depending on the route you choose. Another option is to first take a train and then rent a car directly at your destination. This way, you can significantly reduce your driving time. You might want to take the train to cities such as Colmar, Épinal, or Saint-Dié-des-Vosges.

Where to stay in the Vosges?

I would suggest booking your hotel or Airbnb near Gérardmer, since it is close to many of the main hiking trails and lakes.

When to visit the Vosges?

The Vosges are beautiful in every season. However, the activities vary a lot depending on the time of year. We personally did this itinerary during the summer, which is the best time if you want to go hiking. From what I have seen, the Vosges are also beautiful in winter, but that season is better suited for other activities.

Is visiting the Vosges expensive?

I would say the most expensive parts of the trip are the car rental, fuel, accommodation and tolls. These costs can quickly add up, but traveling with other people can help reduce the expenses. We found accommodation prices to be quite standard for France, and maybe even slightly cheaper. Most parking lots at the starting points of hikes are free. We did not really eat out; instead, we cooked at our Airbnb, and you can easily find affordable supermarkets such as Lidl or Aldi.

3 day Vosges itinerary

Day 1: Paris to Gérardmer and Tendon waterfalls hike

If you are driving, I recommend leaving early in the morning so you can make the most of your day. Along the way, you will find several rest areas where you can grab something to eat, use the restroom, or even take a shower. Keep in mind that food at these stops is usually more expensive, so you may prefer to bring your own. Rather than heading straight to your hotel, I suggest stopping near Tendon for a hike if you are not too tired after the drive.

Cascades de Tendon

This hike takes you through the forest to two small waterfalls. It takes around 2.5–3 hours to complete and offers beautiful scenery along the way. The trail is not very crowded, and you might even get the chance to see some wildlife. During our hike, we saw a tiny frog and a small snake. You can check out the AllTrails route here.

Day 2: Lakes and Colmar (optional)

The Vosges are full of beautiful lakes. Three days is definitely not enough to visit all of them, but for your second day, we chose two of the most beautiful ones. They are easily accessible by car and offer incredible views that make you feel like you are in a different country.

Lac de Longemer

Longemer is probably one of the most popular lakes in the region. It can be a bit more crowded than other places though. You can swim in the lake during summer and you also have the possibility of renting an motorboat, a peddal boat, a paddel board or a canoe.

Lac de Blanchemer

The second lake we visited is Blanchmer. It is smaller and less crowded than Longemer, but really beautiful as well.

Optional: Colmar

Although not technically in the Vosges department, Colmar is known for being one of the most charming towns in France. It is particularly famous for its colorful traditional Alsatian houses with a strong Germanic influence, its canals, and its well-preserved old town. Colmar is about a 1-hour drive from Gérardmer, so if you want to visit it, I would suggest extending your trip to 4 days. We did the trip in 3 days, and with so much driving it was rather tiring, so taking an extra day might be a better option.

The views on the way to Colmar are absolutely beautiful as well.

Another interesting thing to see are the vineyards that surround Colmar, they are beautiful.

As a fun fact, when we were driving back to our Airbnb at night, there were not many people on the road. Everything was really quiet, and we were able to spot what looked like a fox in one of the nearby fields.

Day 3: Picnic, hike and going back to Paris

Hike in the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park

For your last day, I recommend another hike in the Ballons des Vosges Regional Park. This hike also lasts about 2.5–3 hours, and the views are unbelievable. The landscape is also very different from what you will see on days one and two. We personally didn’t have time to complete the whole hike because we were running late, so feel free to shorten it if you prefer. You can find the link to the AllTrails route here.

We actually brought some snacks with us and had a picnic while enjoying this beautiful view.

After the hike, you can head back to Paris.

I hope you found this post useful. Being there, we realised that you probably need at least a week, maybe even more, to fully explore the Vosges because there are so many things to do. This 3-day trip nevertheless allows you to get a grasp of the beauty of this region and experience some of the most iconic things to do.