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 at a Glance#
Address: Lac de Longemer, Vosges, Grand Est. Coordinates: 48.07096, 6.95117
Hours: Accessible year-round (seasonal restrictions may apply in winter)
Admission: Free public access (park areas); some trails or facilities may have fees
About Lac de Longemer#
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -4° - 1° | -6° | 106 mm | - | - | 5.0 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -3° - 2° | -5° | 100 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -1° - 6° | -2° | 90 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 1° - 9° | 2° | 88 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 6° - 14° | 8° | 113 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 9° - 17° | 13° | 112 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 11° - 20° | 15° | 101 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 11° - 20° | 15° | 88 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 8° - 16° | 12° | 95 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 5° - 11° | 5° | 104 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 0° - 5° | -1° | 115 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -2° - 3° | -4° | 127 mm | - | - | 4.9 m/s | - | - |
