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French Gites
Activities and Local Attractions: Holiday Gites in France
Activities and Local Attractions:
The Vosges offers a wide range of activities for you to enjoy on your holiday both in the summer and winter months. It is well known for being a ski resort in the winter but is also an excellent base for mountain pursuits during the summer months.
The area is known as the ‘Valley of the Lakes.’ The three main lakes can be found at Gerardmer, Xonrupt Longemer and Retournemer. Many more lakes can be found in the mountains amidst beautiful scenery and landscapes.
Gerardmer is 670 metres above sea level. The area is famous for the textile industry, clog making and cheese production, especially goat’s cheese. Gerardmer boasts the oldest ‘Office de Tourisme’ in France dating back to 1875.
Water sports
Gerardmer is the largest of the lakes at 115.5 hectares it offers a wide range of water sports, canoeing, windsurfing, rowing and diving, relaxing lake tours, pedalos and rowing boats. Fishing is allowed by purchasing a permit from the local shops.
There is also a designated swimming area with slide. Alongside Gerardmer Lake you will find the leisure centre with an indoor pool, ice rink, bowling alley and climbing wall.
Xonrupt Longemer Lake is at the foot of the Vosges Mountains. It offers a wide range of water sports and a beach swimming area. This lake is 76 hectares in total and very popular with fishermen.
Lake Retournemer is much smaller than the other two, only approx 5ha and is privately owned. This lake is not used for water sports but walking and hiking are permitted.
Hiking, cycling and horse riding
The 800km long Vosgienne Trail attracts horse riders, hikers, cyclists and casual walkers. Routes and trails can be chosen to match your experience, fitness and desires. In the Valley of the Lakes you can also find many spectacular waterfalls.
Walkers can follow the ‘Discovery Trail’ around the perimeter of Gerardmer Lake and take in some spectacular sights.
There are several horse riding stables that cater for adults and children of all abilities.
Winter sports
In the winter months the Vosges Mountains belong to the skiers, snowboarders and Nordic walkers. 90 ski lifts service 120 downhill alpine ski runs. The main ski stations are at Gerardmer, La Bresse, St Maurice-sur-Moselle, Bussang, Ventron, Le Valtin and Xonrupt Longemer. Ski schools and equipment hire are easily available. The Vosges is also popular with cross country skiers, offering over 300km of signposted runs.
For ski pass information, tariffs and maps visit www.gerardmer-ski.com
Heights of some of the passes:
Le Grand Ballon 1424m/4699ft
Le Hohneck 1362m/4494ft
Le Ballon d’Alsace 1247m/4115ft
La Schlucht 1132m/3736ft
In the summer Col de la Schlucht and La Bresse put their ski runs to good use with ‘la luge d’ete’ – summer dry run tobogganing!
Other Sports:
Other pursuits available in the area include hot air balloon rides, paragliding, parachuting, rock climbing, golf and paintballing.
For the very adventurous is the Aero Fun Parc fantasticable. At speeds of up to 100km/h you fly attached to a 22mm steel cable at heights over 100m! www.fantasticable.com
Several local centres offer quad and motocross trekking both on and off road. Karting is also popular in the area.
www.quadsetnature.com
www.moto88.com
www.manacha-kart.com