Looking for an unusual mountain getaway? Take the whole family to the Vosges mountains for an extraordinary experience close to nature.
Hike in the middle of the night, dive into a Nordic bath, reach for the stars and take a deep breath of fresh air during your vacation. Each activity invites you to breathe, reconnect and enjoy the moment with your loved ones. Are you coming with us?
1. Sleep at the water's edge in a cabana with private spa
Looking for a relaxing night's sleep in the Vosges mountains? Slide your suitcases into a wooden cabin and let yourself be carried away to the water's edge. Away from the hustle and bustle, in a green setting, the air is lighter, the noises softer and your thoughts calmer. You're exactly where you need to be. Away from the crowds, you find the calm you've been looking for for weeks. The kind that soothes you and makes you want to disconnect for a few days. You might even barricade yourself inside for several hours. Except to get to the private spa just a few meters from your cabin.
In the morning, the golden light through the foliage gently awakens you. The sun rises just as slowly, so peaceful is everything. You haven't been dreaming. You've slept in the heart of the Vosges forest. And you slept really well.
Where can you try out this experience? At the Sunêlia Les Nids du Lac on the shores of Lake Bouzey.
2. Recharge your batteries in a Nordic bath in the heart of nature
Feel like letting go in the breathtaking scenery of the Vosges mountains? The Nordic bath invites you into a bubble of warmth in a typical Eastern France chalet. Lock your worries away with your phone in your bag.
Are you familiar with this ritual from Scandinavia? Your vacation takes on a whole new meaning with this unique wellness experience. The enveloping warmth of the steaming water relaxes your muscles, releases accumulated tension and stimulates blood circulation. You'll also benefit from natural detoxification, as gentle sweating eliminates toxins and impurities. The results? You purify your skin and your body.
In front of you, the relief cuts into a breathtaking panorama. The landscape envelops you without a word, anchoring you in the present moment. The one that counts above all else. Savor every minute of this wellness interlude, and leave feeling light-hearted and revitalized.
Our best spot: the Nordic baths at Domaine de Champé in Bussang.
3. Get up close to wildlife in an unspoilt park
Would you like to give your children an unforgettable face-to-face encounter with the animals from their favorite stories? Take them by the hand in search of the king of the forest. We know where he's hiding: at France's largest animal park, Sainte-Croix in Rhodes , Moselle. In fact, the famous stag surrounds himself with his friends in this area dedicated to European fauna and animal biodiversity.
Over 1,500 European animals live in semi-liberty in 120 hectares of forests and meadows. Keep your eyes peeled for the gray wolf behind the bushes or the red panda nimbly climbing branches. And the look of wonder in your children's eyes when they see a lynx or abrown bear? Unforgettable. These life-size animals look far more impressive than they do in their picture books.
Holidaymakers love it: a Safari-train adventure on the trail of Europe's animals, before a meal with them.
4. Take a night hike and observe the starry sky
Have you ever tried a night hike ? Not to chase after a startled child, but for the simple pleasure of listening to nature as life falls asleep.
On the Route des Crêtes in the Hautes-Vosges, a guided walk takes you to the summit of the Hohneck, at an altitude of over 1,200 meters. Depending on the season, you can set off on foot or snowshoes, accompanied by an enthusiastic guide. The experience begins as daylight slowly fades, giving way to that special bluish light just before dark.
Gradually, sounds fade and voices become more discreet. Your headlamp becomes your only landmark in this silent fir forest. You advance at your own pace, your children at your side, your other half's hand brushing yours. And don't forget to look up, as the inky, light pollution-free sky shines with millions of stars. For two hours, you walk between light and shadow, between reality and the feeling of being elsewhere. A gentle and memorable immersion, to be experienced with family or friends, to reconnect with the essential.
5. A night under the stars in the mountains in a tent or camper van
Set up the tent. Cut the engines. Open your eyes. On the Plateau des Mille Étangs, nature opens its arms to you for a night under the stars. A dream come true? Love shines under the stars in this extraordinary experience, miles away from the hustle and bustle. The show finally begins as the light fades and the last golden reflections caress the fir trees. The sky is ablaze, and soon the stars appear one by one. There, the Big Dipper greets you while Cassiopeia keeps watch. Far from light pollution, the night reveals all its grandeur.
Set up camp and breathe in the pure, invigorating mountain air. No wi-fi or notifications, just you, the sky and an owl hooting in the night.
Did you know? To photograph the Milky Way, choose a moonless night between May and September. Use a stable tripod, open your lens to f/2.8 or higher, and set your ISO between 1600 and 3200. Finally, expose for 20 to 30 seconds. And above all, keep away from light sources!
A typical day in the destination
Breakfast on the terrace in the fresh air. Birdsong and soft light accompany your coffee.
Get on your bikes and follow the signposted trails around Bussang. The forest welcomes you in a lush green setting.
Set up your picnic by Lake Gérardmer. Enjoy Vosges cured meats and cheeses while sharing your first impressions of the morning.
What’s on the agenda? Rent a pedal boat or a stand-up paddleboard. Have fun on the water before relaxing in the sun.
Challenge each other to a padel match at the campsite. The loser is on dishwashing duty.
Time for one last dip in the pool before heading off to bed.
Camping near Bussang
Open all year round, the Sunêlia Domaine de Champé campsite nestles in the heart of the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park. In summer or winter, enjoy an exceptional stay in the Vosges, close to nature. Our wooden accommodation, so typical of the mountains, will become a real cocoon for your family. Admire the panoramic view of snow-capped peaks from your balcony. Even take advantage of your time in the region to discover Strasbourg or Colmar, an emblematic Alsatian city in the northeast.
Highlights:
- Spa pure Altitude with two hydromassage baths, sauna, hammam, Jacuzzi, body rituals and massages,
- Water park with outdoor pool heated to 28°,
- Gourmet restaurant in a typical wooden chalet,
- Padel, badminton and tennis courts.
Camping on the shores of Lake Bouzey
Fancy a family holiday with your feet in the water? This privilege isn't just reserved for seaside getaways, thanks to Sunêlia's Les Nids du lac campsite at Sanchey in the Vosges mountains. Situated just 50 metres from Lac de Bouzey, mountain vacations combine water and land activities. Fishing in the mornings and hiking in the afternoons, you'll experience busy days in the magnificent Vosges landscapes.
Highlights :
- Direct access to the shores of Lac de Bouzey,
- 400 m² water park with outdoor pool and paddling pool heated to 27°C,
- Wellness area with jacuzzi and sauna,
- Children's club for ages 6 to 12 and teen club for ages 12 to 18.