Lac de Longemer
Lake Mountain lake in the Vosges, clear waters
Lac de Longemer in the Vosges lies amid conifer forests; visitors swim, rent boats, walk lakeside trails and picnic, often combining visits with nearby Gérardmer and Hautes-Vosges hiking.
Lac de Longemer is a natural lake in the Vosges department of Grand Est, France, located beside the village of Xonrupt-Longemer near the town of Gérardmer. It is one of several forested lakes in the Vosges mountain area.
The shoreline includes a public beach, lakeside walking paths and facilities for small non-motorised craft such as canoes and kayaks, making it a local recreation spot for swimming and short hikes. Seasonal visitor facilities and campgrounds operate around the lake.
The lake sits in a wooded valley characteristic of the Vosges massif; local tourism around the lake developed in the 19th and 20th centuries as the region became a leisure destination.
Geographically it lies in a forested part of the Vosges, a short distance from the town of Gérardmer and the village of Xonrupt-Longemer, with mountain scenery surrounding the shoreline.
- Access: Nearest town and visitor services are in Gérardmer, which is the usual base for excursions to the lake.
How to Get to Lac de Longemer #
From Épinal or Gérardmer, follow departmental roads into the Vosges and look for signs to Lac de Longemer. Regional buses serve the area seasonally; driving is the most convenient option.
Tips for Visiting Lac de Longemer #
- Arrive before late afternoon on clear days to catch the best lakeside light and avoid the day-trippers leaving.
- Local mountain huts and cafés around Gérardmer will accommodate hikers; plan logistics in winter months when snow can make access difficult.
- The lake perimeter is an easy walk - a good option for those who want a short, scenic circuit without a long hike.
Best Time to Visit Lac de Longemer #
Summer for easy access and boating; winter for scenic snow-covered landscapes if roads are open.
Weather & Climate near Lac de Longemer #
Lac de Longemer's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 20°C. Abundant rainfall (1239 mm/year), wettest in December, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 1°C and lows of -4°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm).
Comfort
Weather
February
February is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -3°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm).
Comfort
Weather
March
March is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm).
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 1°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm).
Comfort
Weather
May
May is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (113 mm).
Comfort
Weather
June
June is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm).
Comfort
Weather
July
July is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm).
Comfort
Weather
August
August is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm).
Comfort
Weather
September
September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm).
Comfort
Weather
October
October is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm).
Comfort
Weather
November
November is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (115 mm).
Comfort
Weather
December
December is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -2°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (127 mm).
