2024-10-12 08:15:00
In the heart of the Vosges, Remiremont turns out to be a little-known destination, just 3 and a half hours from Paris by TGV. Between wooded hills and green valleys, this small town in the Vosges offers a preserved natural environment, far from the beaten track of mass tourism. A place worth the detour for those looking to escape the traditional circuits.
The town center of Remiremont, with its half-timbered houses and cobbled streets, bears witness to a rich but often forgotten history. The imposing abbey church of Saint-Pierre recalls the atypical past of the city, once run by canonesses. These women, whose power extended far beyond the abbey walls, left a unique mark on the city. Remiremont would be one of the cradles of feminism according to Morgane Petitpoisson, local tour guide: “True Amazons, fighters who ruled the city, a city built for women and by women. Very powerful women, never equaled in Europe. These abbesses reported directly to the pope. In civilian life they were princesses of the Holy German Empire. Below them, the Duke of Lorraine was their vassal. It began in the Middle Ages and the period ended with the French Revolution. The best known is undoubtedly Anna Carlotta of Lorraine, daughter of the Duke of Lorraine, niece of the Duke of Orléans, brother of the king. »
A small town, of sandstone and granite, where the fresh, invigorating air hits you upon arrival. On Sundays, don’t miss Place de Lattre de Tassigny with its many restaurants and cafés with a welcoming atmosphere.
The Charles-de-Bruyères museum offers a dive into this particular history. Although modest, it offers an interesting insight into the evolution of Remiremont over the centuries. Place de l’Âtre, the nerve center of the city, presents typical architecture, although some buildings deserve restoration.
Simplicity, nature and outdoor activities
The surrounding area of Remiremont is ideal for outdoor activities, including hiking and cycling. Surrounded by pine forests and the Vosges valleys, with its Canadian air, the place lends itself perfectly to outdoor activities. Fort du Parmont offers a panoramic view of the region, although the climb can be arduous for the less athletic. Cycling enthusiasts will appreciate the signposted circuits, accessible to beginners and experts.
The Planche des Belles Filles, famous for its passage to the Tour de France, attracts expert cyclists. The use of electric bikes allows the less experienced to try the experience, but paying attention to the steep slopes in some sections.
Loriquette, Louis d’or, local gastronomy to enjoy
The local cuisine deserves attention, even if it remains relatively simple. The L’Apothicaire restaurant, located in a former pharmacy, offers revisited local cuisine. Trout pâté and bergamot cream are among the specialties to taste.
Cheese lovers and locavores will be able to discover the local Munster, in particular at the refiner Bernard Louis, an inexhaustible butcher in these products, who offers visits to his laboratories. Since 1994 it has produced 40,000 cheeses a year, or around thirty tonnes. His Louis d’Oraged for more than three weeks, in a cellar at 11 degrees, “so that the microbes work well. » and above all without a light source otherwise “they would be light”, it offers an interesting taste experience, especially if dissolved. It is produced from September to March. The andouille of Val-D’ajol, although less known, is one of the regional specialties to try for the more curious. But also the renowned Vosges fir honey.
The lorikeet, a local triskelion-shaped dessert, is of historical interest, but its taste may not please all tastes.
Sleeping in an old safe
The Best Western Premier, housed in a former bank, offers an original lodging experience. This hotel combines modern comfort with old-world charm, offering an attractive option for a city break, though rates can be high in high season.
Remiremont proves to be a discreet destination, offering an alternative to the busier tourist sites of the Vosges. Although it does not compete with the large mountain resorts, it still offers a pleasant setting for a weekend of discovery, among nature, history and local gastronomy. The Venetian carnival is organized every year in March. An option to consider for those who want to get off the beaten track, keeping in mind that some tourist infrastructure remains modest.
Practical guide: Remiremont
Where to eat?
The pharmacist
Bistronomic cuisine in a former pharmacy
1 Rue des Capucins, 88200 Remiremont
Tel: 03 29 62 12 86
Open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 12pm to 2pm and from 7pm to 9.30pm.
Website: www.restaurant-apothicaire.fr
The Table of Canonesses
Local specialties in a historic setting
17 Rue des Prêtres, 88200 Remiremont
Tel: 03 29 23 11 11
Open every day, 12:00-14:00 and 19:00-22:00.
Website: www.latabledeschanoinesses.com
Where to sleep?
Best Western Premier Hotel de la Poste
4 star hotel in a former bank
8 Place des Travailleurs, 88200 Remiremont
Tel: 03 29 62 10 10
Reception open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Website: www.hotel-remiremont.com
Hotel Le Chatelet
Family run hotel in the heart of the city
11 Rue du Général Humbert, 88200 Remiremont
Tel: 03 29 62 12 86
The reception is open from 7:00 to 22:00.
Website: www.hotel-le-chatelet.fr
What to do?
Charles-de-Bruyères Museum
– Collections of local history and art
– 1 Rue Paul Doumer, 88200 Remiremont
-Tel: 03 29 62 59 14
– Open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 2pm to 6pm.
– Website: www.remiremont.fr/decouvrir/musee-charles-de-bruyeres
Electric bike rental
– Perrin cycles
– 14 Rue de la Franche Pierre, 88200 Remiremont
-Tel: 03 29 62 24 30
– Open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 19:00.
– Website: www.cycles-perrin.fr
How to get there?
By train
– TGV direct from Paris-Est (3h30)
– Remiremont SNCF station
– Martyrs of the Resistance Square, 88200 Remiremont
– Tel: 36 35 (information and reservations)
– Website: www.sncf-connect.com
In the car
– From Paris: A5, then A31 towards Nancy, exit Remiremont (4h30)
– Free parking in the city center: Place de Lattre de Tassigny
Remiremont Tourist Office
For more information about the city and its activities
4 Bis Place de l’Abbaye, 88200 Remiremont
Tel: 03 29 62 23 70
Website: www.tourisme-remiremont-plombieres.com
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