Lake Gérardmer
| Max. Length | 2.2 km |
| Max. Width | 0.75 km |
| Surface Area | 1.16 sq km |
| Average Depth | 13 m |
| Max. Depth | 38.4 m |
| Surface Elevation | 660 m |
Lake Gerardmer is located in Eastern France, in the Vosges department where it is the largest natural lake. Along with Retournemer and Longemer, Lake Gerardmer is one of the 3 lakes in the Vosges mountain range, formed after the Würm glaciations (about 90 000 BC). Nowadays, it supplies the town of Gerardmer with drinking water and is used for fishing and bathing. It is such a nice natural spot that it is nicknamed ‘the Vosges gem’.
Lake Gérardmer Tourism and Culture
Gerardmer is probably the most famous town of the Vosges department. It is popular in summer thanks to its green and quiet environment and in winter thanks to its ski slopes and mountain activities. It also has lots of events and cultural places of interest on offer, some of them are listed below:
Nearby activities: Many nature-linked activities around the lake are available. The Paintball Park for instance organizes outdoor games and promises lots of fun. You can also have a go at paragliding or rock-climbing as well as discover nature from another viewpoint in a treetop adventure park. But there is more: summer luge, karting, snow activities in winter... The choice is wide and simply up to you!
Museums: several museums promote the area by making people aware of all the assets it boasts. The Lorraine fauna museum invites you to discover nature through beautiful natural environment reconstructions while the Hautes Mynes du Thillot plunges you in the world of copper miners.
Fantastic Arts: this international film festival is dedicated to the fantasy genre under all its forms: science-fiction, supernatural, horror etc. It consists of a French-speaking short film competition, two international competitions (one for fiction films and one for animated films) as well as a non-competitive section. This festival promotes the Fantasy genre and also offers several related activities.
Lake Gérardmer Activities
Fresh water fishing is a popular hobby in the department. Lake Gerardmer has numerous fish species such as carp, roach and trout but is particularly famous for being the ‘kingdom of pike’. However, as it is a private mountain lake belonging to the first piscicultural category, you have to watch out for the fishing periods which are specific to the lake and vary according to the type of fish. For instance, nocturnal carp fishing is allowed from the 1st of May to the 30th of November.
Lake Gerardmer has many activities on offer for kids and grown-ups. Bathing is patrolled by lifeguards from June to September and there are beaches for different audiences. Sailing and windsurfing are particularly pleasant on this lake and you also have the possibility to take lessons. If you prefer walking, a 6km laid out path around the lake is at your disposal. Other water sports are also on offer including rowing, snorkelling, pedalos. The Lake Gerardmer crossing is a traditional swimming event held in August which dates back a hundred years and has become part of the French Cup championship.