What to do in the Vosges? Our top picks around the estate

What to do around Les Cabanes Nids des Vosges? Our guide to activities in the Vosges and Grand Est regions...

Perched at an altitude of 811 meters on the Champdray plateau, Les Cabanes Nids des Vosges are much more than just accommodation. They are a gateway to one of France's richest and most diverse regions: the Vosges and Grand Est, nestled between Alsace and Lorraine, and offering everything from mountain lakes to terraced vineyards. Whether you're a fan of hiking, gastronomy, culture, or simply wide-open spaces, here's what awaits you just a few kilometers from the estate.

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Gérardmer, the lake town of the Vosges

It's an essential nearby destination. Gérardmer and its lake (the largest natural lake in the Vosges!) offer activities and entertainment throughout the year. In summer, the ASG water sports center offers kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, and pedal boating for the whole family. In winter, the lake shimmers with frost and the surrounding area transforms into a playground for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing enthusiasts. Throughout the year, the town offers a cinema, bowling, casino, thermal center, and numerous shops for those looking to relax between excursions.

Thrill-seekers can head to Acro'Sphère for tree-top adventure courses and via ferrata in spectacular natural settings. Families will enjoy Wiidoo'gliss park for its giant slides and mountain activities accessible from a very young age.

Don't miss : the International Fantastic Film Festival in January, the fireworks over the lake in summer, and the Daffodil Festival in spring – events that make Gérardmer a vibrant town, well beyond the summer season.

Hiking, right from your cabin

The Champdray plateau is an ideal starting point for exploring the Vosges ridges on foot. Marked trails start directly from the estate, with various difficulty levels accessible to everyone from age 3. In winter, snowshoes are available for rent to transform the same paths into a silent winter adventure.

For an even more immersive experience, our guides offer forest bathing sessions (guided forest bathing led by a state-certified guide) and guided discovery hikes, with a keen eye on the fauna, flora, and secrets of the Vosges forest. By reservation, €150 per group.

The Alsace Wine Route

Beyond the ridges, Alsace unfolds its vineyards between half-timbered villages and perched castles. The Wine Route connects Marlenheim to Thann over 170 km of breathtaking landscapes, dotted with essential stops: Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, Colmar, Eguisheim… A full day is barely enough to experience its essence.

Don't miss: a tasting at our partner, Domaine Dirringer, for a chilled Alsace Pinot Gris in an authentic cellar setting. And just above the vineyards, the Haut-Koenigsbourg castle offers one of Alsace's most striking panoramas, between the Rhine plain and the Vosges mountains.

The Berchigranges Garden

It's the Vosges plateau's least well-kept secret. This former quarry site, transformed into an exceptional botanical garden, at an altitude of 700 meters, hosts species from all corners of the world: from the beaches of the North Sea to the heights of the Himalayas. A botanical and sensory walk, calm, timeless, best enjoyed in spring or summer when the blooms are at their peak.

The Hautes Mynes du Thillot

With a helmet on your head and a headlamp on your wrist, delve into the galleries of the former copper mines of the Dukes of Lorraine. Three hundred meters of tunnels to explore, a constant 9°C: ideal during hot summer days. A place steeped in history, family-friendly, that leaves a lasting impression.

The Imagerie d'Épinal and the Planetarium - 30 minutes away

Épinal is just a stone's throw away and offers Two unique cultural getaways. The Imagerie, founded in 1796 and classified as a historical monument, traces three centuries of French popular illustration through its iconic engravings. The Planetarium, meanwhile, takes young and old alike under its dome to explore the mysteries of the Universe during weekly sessions. Two very different ways to travel without leaving the region.

The Greenway and forest biking

For cycling enthusiasts, the Hautes-Vosges Greenway winds from Remiremont to Bussang for 30 km through natural landscapes, or towards Cornimont and La Bresse for 23 km. Mountain bikes and e-bikes are available for rent a few kilometers from the estate. A great way to gain a different perspective.

Green Mojo, all-terrain electric scooter

A recent and addictive discovery : Green Mojo offers geo-guided rides on all-terrain electric scooters in the Hautes-Vosges, up to Hohneck and its 360° panoramic views. Accessible from 12 years old, with full autonomy, and an optional special winter circuit on snow.

Alsatian Christmas markets - an unmissable classic

From late November to late December, Alsace lights up its garlands and wooden chalets. Strasbourg, Colmar, Kaysersberg, Sélestat... The Alsatian Christmas markets are among the most beautiful in Europe, and the proximity of the Vosges Treehouse Cabins makes for a perfect combination: a night in the snowy trees, followed by a day of market exploration, mulled wine, and bredele. A winter getaway to remember for a long time.

In summary: a region for all temperaments

Whether you are sporty, curious, a food lover, or simply seeking calm, the Vosges and the Grand Est have something to offer you. And when evening comes, your nest awaits: perched, silent, above the forest.