What to do in the Vosges with the family? 10 activities with children around Gérardmer
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The Vosges are an ideal destination for a family holiday. Between lakes, easy hikes, encounters with animals, adventure parks and gourmet discoveries, there is no shortage of activities around Gérardmer, Xonrupt-Longemer and La Bresse to keep young and old entertained.
But what can you do in the Vosges as a family and what activities should you choose depending on their age, the season or the weather? After several stays and many outings tested as a family, we have gathered in this guide our favorite activities: feeding the llamas, going to meet the reindeer, discovering the making of Vosges sweets, venturing into the trees at Bol d'Air or simply enjoying the lakes and forests of the massif.
First, you'll find our selection of 10 must-do family activities in the Vosges Mountains , followed by ideas for rainy day outings, easy walks with children, and seasonal activities. Further down, we also share our own week-long itinerary around Gérardmer , including the outings we actually tried with our children.
To discover the mountain range beyond just family activities, also check out our complete guide What to do in the Vosges , dedicated to lakes, waterfalls, hiking, winter sports and the main sites to discover around Gérardmer.
🧒 What to do in the Vosges with the family? 10 activities to do with children
Around Gérardmer, Xonrupt-Longemer and La Bresse, family activities are particularly varied: meeting animals, climbing trees, discovering Vosges traditions, observing chamois or simply going on an adventure around a lake or waterfall.
Here are 10 activities to do in the Vosges Mountains with children , most of which we tested as a family during our stays at the Forest Lodge. We've also added a few places located very close to the chalet that we haven't yet had the chance to try, but which seem particularly interesting for a holiday with children.
Our Top 10 family activities around Gérardmer
🌲 Spend a day at Bol d'Air in La Bresse
🦙 Meet the animals of Lama Mountain
🦌 Go in search of reindeer at the Reindeer Farm
🐑 Discover the Straiture Sheepfold
🍬 Watch candy being made in a Vosges confectionery shop
🌿 Take a walk around Lake Lispach and discover its peat bog
💦 Embark on an adventure at Saut des Cuves
🛷 Testing the summer toboggan run at the Schlucht Pass
🦌 Observe the chamois on the Route des Crêtes
🪨 Discover the Rock Field with children
🌲 1. Spend a day at Bol d'Air in La Bresse
In La Bresse, Bol d'Air is one of our favorite family activities in the Vosges. The park offers several experiences suitable for children, teenagers, and adults: treetop adventure courses, zip lines, Fantasticable, and Fantasti'Kid for younger children.
During our visit, the children particularly enjoyed navigating the treetop adventure courses and exploring the Elf Woods, with its nets, walkways, and high-ropes games. An easy outing to plan for half a day or a full day, depending on the activities chosen.
👉 Discover our complete Bol d'Air guide to La Bresse coming soon
🦙 2. Meet the animals of Lama Mountain
In La Bresse, the Lama Mountain is a particularly fun outing to do with children. After a presentation on the breeding, you can approach the llamas and alpacas, feed them and learn more about their way of life from passionate breeders.
During our visit, the children loved interacting with the animals… and we especially laughed when a llama decided to reward one of our friends with a perfectly aimed spit 😅. A fun and original activity, which we also enjoyed on a rainy day.
👉 Discover our complete guide to Lama Mountain coming soon
🦌 3. Go meet the reindeer at the Reindeer Farm
In Stosswihr, on the Alsatian side of the Vosges mountains, the Reindeer Farm offers a truly unique outing for children. After a short introduction, the visit continues in the forest to observe the reindeer in an almost Nordic setting.
During our visit, the children loved searching for them among the fir trees, then discovering Santa's house , set up on site. An original visit, particularly magical as Christmas approaches, but well worth a visit long after the holiday season.
👉 Discover our complete Reindeer Farm guide coming soon
🐑 4. Discover the Straiture Sheepfold
In Ban-sur-Meurthe-Clefcy, the Bergerie de Straiture offers an educational visit focused on sheep and the shepherd's trade. Families can discover the flock, watch the sheepdogs at work, and learn about the different stages of wool processing, from carding to spinning.
This is an activity located very close to the Forest Lodge which we have not yet had the opportunity to try, but which is clearly on our list for a future stay with the children.
🍬 5. Discover how Vosges candies are made
It's impossible to visit the Vosges with children without discovering how the famous Vosges candies are made. Several artisanal confectioneries offer tours that allow you to observe the different stages of production, often followed by a tasting.
We chose the Bressaude Confectionery , where the children attentively watched the confectioner at work: cooking the sugar, stretching the dough, and shaping the candies. A delicious, fun, and particularly practical visit to plan when the weather is less than ideal.
👉 Discover our Vosges confectionery guide coming soon
🌿 6. Take a walk around Lake Lispach and discover its peat bog
Lake Lispach , in La Bresse, is one of the easiest walks to include in a family holiday. The path circles the lake and allows you to discover its peat bog, wooden footbridges, and landscapes very typical of the High Vosges.
We hiked it in the autumn, when the colors are reflected in the water and the atmosphere becomes particularly beautiful. The loop took us about an hour and proved perfectly suited to children.
💦 7. Go on an adventure at Saut des Cuves
In Xonrupt-Longemer, the Saut des Cuves waterfall is an easy nature outing to plan with children. The site is easily accessible and the path follows the Vologne river between forest, rocks and wooden footbridges to the waterfall.
It's actually our daughter's favorite waterfall: the children love crossing the footbridges and exploring the area around the path like little adventurers. A short walk, ideal for rounding off a day around Gérardmer without planning a long hike.
🛷 8. Try out the summer toboggan run at the Schlucht Pass
At the Col de la Schlucht , summer tobogganing is the perfect activity to add a little excitement to a family day out. After the chairlift ride up, two runs allow you to hurtle down the mountain for 850 meters, in the heart of the High Vosges landscapes.
An easy outing to combine with a walk on the Crêtes or a discovery of the pass, and which pleasantly changes from hikes and visits with children.
The classic toboggan run is accessible from 1.25 m; the pass also now offers a 4-season rail toboggan run, usable in pairs and accessible to younger children accompanied by an adult.
🦌 9. Observe the chamois on the Route des Crêtes
The Route des Crêtes (Crest Road) is one of the best places to enjoy the high-altitude landscapes of the Vosges Mountains and, with a bit of luck, spot some chamois. For families, the outing becomes even more interesting when accompanied by a guide who can explain the fauna, flora, and history of the mountain range.
During our hike with Yannick Holtzer , the children were lucky enough to spot two chamois on the slopes before finishing the hike by headlamp. A wonderful memory from our week in the Vosges Mountains.
🪨 10. Explore the Barbey-Seroux Rock Field
In Barbey-Seroux, the Champ de Roches is an amazing natural curiosity: thousands of granite blocks cover the ground in the heart of the forest for several hundred meters.
The experience is short and fun for children, who quickly enjoy observing this immense "field" of stones and finding their way among the rocks. An original outing to combine with another activity near Gérardmer.
🌧️ What to do in the Vosges with children when it rains?
Rain doesn't stop you from enjoying the Vosges mountains with your family. Around Gérardmer and La Bresse, several activities will keep children entertained while you discover the region.
Among our favorite options, a visit to a Vosges candy factory offers the chance to watch sweets being made indoors, while the Lama Mountain can also be a good alternative when the weather is unpredictable (the llamas are then kept inside). For a day entirely dedicated to games and water, we also tried Center Parcs Les Trois Forêts , located about an hour from Gérardmer, with its wave pool, lazy river, and water slides.
And when the weather really invites you to slow down, a quieter day at the chalet, between board games, a wood fire and moments of relaxation, is also fully part of the holiday in the Vosges.
🥾 What walks can you do in the Vosges with children?
The Vosges Mountains offer many easy walks suitable for families, without necessarily requiring a long hike. Around Gérardmer and Xonrupt-Longemer, several sites allow you to enjoy the forest, lakes, and Vosges landscapes with children.
Among our favorites, Lake Longemer is ideal for a peaceful stroll along the water's edge. Lake Lispach offers a short and fun loop around its peat bog, while the Saut des Cuves waterfall provides easy access to a cascade via the footbridges along the Vologne River. Finally, the Champ de Roches de Barbey-Seroux or the Charlemagne waterfall offer a unique alternative for a short walk in the woods.
👉 For more ideas, also check out our guide to the most beautiful hikes in the Vosges.
🍂 Our week in the Vosges mountains with the family around Gérardmer
For those looking for a concrete example of a program, here's how we organized an autumn week in the Vosges mountains with our children and friends. We deliberately alternated activities, walks, and quieter days to adapt to the weather and the children's pace.
Day 1: Arrival at the Forest Lodge, walk in the forest and first evening at the chalet.
Day 2: Visit to the Bressaude Confectionery followed by a visit to the Lama Mountain.
Day 3: Day at Center Parcs Les Trois Forêts to escape the rain.
Day 4: walk around Lake Lispach then outing on the Route des Crêtes with observation of chamois.
Day 5: Longemer lake, Reindeer Farm and stop at Saut des Cuves on the way back.
Day 6: day at Bol d'Air between tree climbing, Fantasticable, Fantasti'Kid and Bois des Lutins.
Day 7: Last quiet morning at the chalet before departure.
This program has above all confirmed for us that it is not necessary to multiply activities to succeed in a stay in the Vosges with family: one big outing per day, a few impromptu walks and time to enjoy the chalet were more than enough.
🍽️ Some great places we've tried as a family
During our week, we also discovered several places around Gérardmer and La Bresse. L'Atelier in Gérardmer is a sure bet for a crêpe break with the kids, while Le Couchetat (restaurant on the Montagne des Lamas) was a real treat for a more substantial lunch. For a raclette evening at the chalet, we went to La Cave au Géromé , and for our last evening, we chose the pizzas and Italian dishes at San Remo.
🏡 Where to stay in the Vosges with family?
To fully enjoy the activities around Gérardmer, it is best to choose accommodation that is central enough to limit travel and allow children to find some peace and quiet between outings.
In Xonrupt-Longemer, the Forest Lodge was designed for family holidays: 230 m², several bedrooms and bathrooms, a secret dormitory with cabin beds and an indoor climbing wall , a games room , an outdoor jacuzzi, and even a zip line for children with energy to spare. Its location also provides easy access to Gérardmer, La Bresse, the lakes, and many of the activities featured in this guide.
FAQ: Everything you need to know to prepare your stay in the Vosges
Are the Vosges suitable for holidays with children?
Yes, the Vosges Mountains are an ideal destination for families. The mountain range offers numerous activities suitable for children: easy walks around lakes, farms with animals, nature parks, treetop adventure courses, tobogganing in winter, and indoor activities. Distances are reasonable, making travel easy with children of all ages.
What to do in the Vosges with children when it rains?
Even in rainy weather, the Vosges Mountains offer numerous family-friendly alternatives: artisanal sweet shops, educational farms, sheltered animal parks, indoor water parks, indoor climbing walls, or even days at Center Parcs. These activities allow you to fully enjoy your stay, whatever the weather.
Is autumn a good season to visit the Vosges mountains with family?
Yes, autumn is one of the best seasons to discover the Vosges Mountains with your family. The landscapes are magnificent, the sites less crowded, and the temperatures pleasant for outings with children. It's an ideal time to alternate between nature walks, gourmet discoveries, and cozy moments indoors.
What are the best walks to do with children around Gérardmer?
Around Gérardmer, several walks are perfectly suited for families: the loop around Lake Longemer , the walk around Lake Lispach , the Saut des Cuves waterfall , the rocky field , or the forest trails of Xonrupt-Longemer . These routes are accessible and fun for children.
What type of accommodation should I choose for a family holiday in the Vosges?
For a successful family holiday in the Vosges Mountains, the ideal solution is to choose spacious, well-located accommodation suitable for children. A chalet nestled in nature, close to activities around Gérardmer, with play areas, comfortable bedrooms, and a relaxation space, allows you to alternate between outings, rest, and shared family moments.
How many days should I plan for a family holiday in the Vosges?
A 5- to 7-day stay allows you to discover the Vosges as a family at a leisurely pace. This leaves time to alternate between activities, relaxation, and exploration, while adapting to the weather and the children's energy levels.
Want to discover the Vosges beyond family activities ? Find our complete guide to prepare your stay in the Vosges , with our selections of lakes, waterfalls, hikes, winter activities and outing ideas around Gérardmer.
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