Discovering Vosges (Department 88)
Updated: Oct 8
Introduction
Located in the Grand Est region of north-eastern France, Vosges (Department 88) is a department known for its forested mountains, peaceful lakes, thermal spa towns and traditional rural villages. Named after the beautiful Vosges Mountains, it offers an attractive blend of outdoor living, affordable property and authentic French culture.
Living in Vosges appeals to people looking for a quieter lifestyle surrounded by nature rather than busy cities. Whether you're considering retiring in France, relocating permanently, buying a holiday home or working remotely, the department offers excellent value and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors throughout the year.
While tourism plays an important role, especially around the mountains and ski resorts, Vosges remains a place where everyday French life continues much as it has for generations.
At a Glance
Feature | Information |
Region | Grand Est |
Historic name | Part of Historic Lorraine |
Department number | 88 |
Department capital | Épinal |
Largest towns | Épinal, Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, Gérardmer, Remiremont, Neufchâteau |
Population | Approximately 360,000 |
Area | 5,874 km² |
Climate | Continental with mountain influences; warm summers, cold winters and reliable snowfall in higher areas |
Best suited for | Retirees, outdoor enthusiasts, families, second-home owners, remote workers |
Is a car recommended? | Yes—strongly recommended outside major towns |
English-speaking community | Small but steadily growing, particularly around Gérardmer and popular rural areas |
Lifestyle summary | Relaxed, outdoors-focused, traditional and affordable |
Why Choose Vosges?
Lifestyle
Life in Vosges revolves around nature, local communities and the changing seasons. Residents enjoy a slower pace than many other parts of France, with forests, lakes and mountain scenery never far away.
The department particularly appeals to people wanting to escape city life without feeling completely isolated.
Community
The local population is known for being welcoming, although integration often depends on making an effort to speak French. Small villages have active community associations, local festivals and markets that help newcomers settle in.
English-speaking residents are present but dispersed rather than concentrated in one location.
Scenery
One of the department's greatest strengths is its landscape.
Highlights include:
The Vosges Mountains
Dense forests
Hundreds of walking trails
Beautiful lakes
Waterfalls
River valleys
Traditional mountain villages
Every season brings something different, from spring wildflowers to colourful autumn forests and winter snow.
Accessibility
Vosges sits close to several European borders, making travel relatively straightforward.
Nearby destinations include:
Strasbourg
Nancy
Metz
Luxembourg
Germany
Switzerland
Belgium
The TGV network also provides connections to Paris from nearby cities.
Food
Local cuisine is hearty and strongly influenced by Lorraine and neighbouring Alsace.
Popular dishes feature:
Smoked meats
Game
Potatoes
Munster cheese
Forest mushrooms
Fresh trout
Many restaurants specialise in traditional mountain cooking.
Culture
The department has a rich industrial and artistic heritage, particularly in:
Woodworking
Glassmaking
Textile manufacturing
Religious architecture
Traditional festivals remain important in many towns.
Property
Property remains one of Vosges' strongest attractions.
Compared with many areas of southern France, buyers can often find:
Stone farmhouses
Mountain chalets
Village homes
Renovation projects
Modern family houses
Properties generally offer generous gardens and excellent value.
Pace of Life
People moving to Vosges usually appreciate:
Low stress
Minimal traffic
Easy access to nature
Strong sense of community
Good work-life balance
Those seeking vibrant nightlife or large shopping centres may find it quieter than expected.
Vosges Is It Right For You?
Lifestyle | Rating | Why |
Retirees | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Peaceful living, affordable homes and beautiful surroundings suit retirement well. |
Families | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Safe communities, outdoor activities and good schools make it family friendly. |
Second-home owners | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent choice for holiday homes with year-round appeal. |
Entrepreneurs | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Opportunities exist in tourism, hospitality, food, crafts and digital businesses. |
Remote workers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Improving broadband and peaceful surroundings suit home working. |
Outdoor lifestyle | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | One of France's finest departments for hiking, cycling and winter sports. |
City lifestyle | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ | Limited if you enjoy major shopping, nightlife and urban entertainment. |
Popular Places to Live
Épinal
Description: The departmental capital with a good balance of services and green spaces.
Ideal for:
Families
Professionals
Retirees
Advantages
Excellent facilities
Hospital
Schools
Shopping
Railway station
Things to consider
More urban than much of the department.
Gérardmer
Description: A lakeside mountain town famous for outdoor recreation.
Ideal for
Holiday home owners
Outdoor enthusiasts
Remote workers
Advantages
Beautiful scenery
Tourism infrastructure
Walking and skiing
Things to consider
Busy during holiday periods.
Property demand is higher.
Remiremont
Description: Attractive historic town at the southern end of the mountains.
Ideal for
Families
Retirees
Advantages
Good transport
Historic centre
Markets
Healthcare
Things to consider
Wetter climate due to mountain location.
Saint-Dié-des-Vosges
Description: Medium-sized town surrounded by forests.
Ideal for
Families
Professionals
Advantages
Affordable housing
Good services
Easy mountain access
Things to consider
Less tourist-focused than Gérardmer.
Neufchâteau
Description: Historic market town in western Vosges.
Ideal for
Retirees
Budget-conscious buyers
Advantages
Lower property prices
Traditional atmosphere
Good local amenities
Things to consider
Further from the mountains.
La Bresse
Description: Popular mountain community with year-round outdoor activities.
Ideal for
Active retirees
Ski enthusiasts
Holiday homeowners
Advantages
Ski resorts
Walking
Cycling
Stunning scenery
Things to consider
Winter tourism increases traffic.
Xertigny
Description: Quiet rural town surrounded by forests.
Ideal for
Rural living
Renovation projects
Advantages
Affordable homes
Peaceful lifestyle
Things to consider
Car essential.
Cost of Living
Compared with many French departments, Vosges offers good overall value.
Property affordability
Housing is generally affordable, especially away from Gérardmer and the main tourist areas. Traditional farmhouses and village homes often provide more space than similarly priced properties elsewhere.
Shopping
Everyday shopping costs are similar to the national average. Weekly markets offer excellent local produce, while larger supermarkets are available in the main towns.
Utilities
Heating costs can be higher because winters are colder, particularly in mountain areas. Good insulation becomes especially important when purchasing property.
Eating out
Restaurants remain reasonably priced, with many serving generous portions of regional cuisine.
General value for money
For buyers seeking countryside living without premium property prices, Vosges represents excellent value.
Healthcare
Healthcare provision is good across the department, although specialist services are concentrated in larger towns.
Main hospitals
Centre Hospitalier d'Épinal
Centre Hospitalier de Remiremont
Hospital facilities in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges
Neufchâteau Hospital
Healthcare availability
Most towns have GPs, dentists and pharmacies.
Access to specialists
Available primarily in Épinal, Nancy and Strasbourg.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies are found in virtually every town, with emergency services available through rota systems.
General healthcare considerations
Rural residents may travel further for specialist appointments, but emergency healthcare standards are high.
Education
Vosges provides a full range of French state education.
Schools
Primary and secondary schools are available across the department.
Colleges
Several vocational colleges and sixth-form establishments serve the region.
International options
There are no major international schools within the department itself. Families seeking English-language education generally look towards Strasbourg or neighbouring departments.
Language schools
French language classes for adult learners are available through local associations and continuing education providers.
Getting Around
Airports
The nearest international airports include:
Strasbourg
Metz-Nancy-Lorraine
Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg
Rail
Épinal and Saint-Dié-des-Vosges provide rail links connecting to the wider French network.
Roads
The road network is well maintained, although mountain roads require extra care during winter.
Public transport
Regional buses connect towns, but services become limited in rural villages.
Is a car recommended?
Yes. A car is essential for most residents, especially anyone living outside larger towns.
Weekly Markets
Town | Main Market Day |
Épinal | Wednesday & Saturday |
Gérardmer | Thursday & Saturday |
Remiremont | Tuesday |
Saint-Dié-des-Vosges | Tuesday & Friday |
Neufchâteau | Saturday |
La Bresse | Sunday |
Xertigny | Wednesday |
Local Food & Drink
Vosges is known for its comforting regional cuisine.
Specialities include:
Munster cheese
Smoked ham
Andouille sausage
Vosges honey
Forest mushrooms
Trout
Wild game
Quiche Lorraine
Mirabelle plums
Berry tarts
Local craft beers
Fruit brandies (eaux-de-vie)
Nearby Alsace and Lorraine also provide excellent wines that are widely enjoyed throughout the department.
Things to Do
Historic sites
Historic churches
Traditional mountain villages
Fortifications
Heritage museums
Outdoor activities
Hiking
Mountain biking
Cycling
Skiing
Snowshoeing
Fishing
Canoeing
Museums
Image Museum in Épinal
Glassmaking museums
Textile museums
Local heritage collections
Festivals
Fantastic Film Festival in Gérardmer
Christmas markets
Traditional village fêtes
Music festivals
Food celebrations
Nature
Ballons des Vosges Regional Natural Park
Lakes
Forests
Waterfalls
Scenic viewpoints
Wildlife reserves
Family attractions
Adventure parks
Lakeside beaches
Animal parks
Winter sports centres
Cycling routes
Good to Know Before You Move
Language
French is very much the everyday language. Learning at least conversational French will make settling in considerably easier.
Rural living
Many villages have fewer services than newcomers may expect. Planning shopping trips and owning a car quickly become part of everyday life.
Internet
Broadband continues to improve, with fibre available in many towns, although availability varies in remote mountain areas.
Seasonal tourism
Mountain towns become much busier during skiing season and summer holidays, while quieter villages remain peaceful throughout the year.
Climate
Expect genuine seasons. Winters can be snowy and cold, while summers are generally warm without the intense heat experienced in southern France.
Community life
Joining local clubs, volunteering and attending village events can make a significant difference when building friendships and integrating into the local community.
Find Trusted English-Speaking Businesses
Whether you're living here, moving here, retiring here or simply spending part of the year here, finding reliable local services can make settling in much easier.
Biz Où? helps you discover trusted English-speaking businesses across France, including property professionals, tradespeople, accountants, healthcare providers, legal services, gardeners, cleaners, holiday services, financial advisers, pet care, marketing specialists and many more.
Every listing is designed to help you connect with businesses that understand the needs of English-speaking residents, making it easier to build your new life in one of France's most popular departments.
Find Places to Visit as recommended by readers
Some of the best places in France aren’t found in guidebooks — they’re discovered by people who live here, love it here and know where the magic is. Explore places recommended by our readers, from hidden gems and beautiful villages to favourite markets, cafés, beaches and unforgettable days out. Who knows what you’ll discover?
Find Properties for Sale, Rent, Winter and Summer Holiday Accommodation
Your next chapter in France could be closer than you think. Explore our Property Hub for homes, holiday properties and opportunities from local property partners across France. Whether you’re dreaming of a permanent move, a place in the sun, an investment or simply somewhere to escape to, go on — have a look. Your French property might be waiting.
Plan Your French Dream
Dreaming of a life in France? Start turning the dream into a plan. Plan Your French Dream brings together practical guides, local insights and useful information to help you explore your options, understand what’s involved and make confident decisions about moving, retiring, buying a home or simply creating a life you’ll love. Start exploring — your French story begins with a plan.
Where Will Your French Story Begin
What if the place you’ve been dreaming about is waiting for you in France? A little village where everyone knows your name, a lively market town, a home surrounded by rolling countryside or somewhere completely unexpected. Explore our guides to France’s regions and departments, discover the character, lifestyle and possibilities of each area, and start finding the place that feels like it could be yours. Where will your French story begin?
Comments