Northern Vosges Natural Park, France
| country: | France |
| location: | Northern Vosges Natural Park |
introduction to Northern Vosges Natural Park, France
Why should I visit?
Surrounded by admired regions such as Alsace, Moselle/Lorraine and the Palatinate in Germany, France's timeless wonder, the Northern Vosges Regional Natural Park, has begun to carve its own niche in time.
Not only is the Northern Vosges rich in local tradition, it is also a region defined by complex landscapes. Sandstone, hot springs and many water passages shape the park into an unparalleled oddity. A detour into the region is a stop worth making.
What can you do here?
With an inspired century-old association like The Club Vosgien running the show, the park maintains a superior maze of over 1,650 km of hiking paths. In addition to this, there are over 900 km dedicated to cycling, mountain biking and horseback riding.
The region is also home to many of the finest glass and crystal makers in the world. Activities and workshops dedicated to this art are offered to visitors. The French are also known for their world-class cuisine and the Northern Vosges does not disappoint. Fine restaurants specializing in the region's unsurpassed tastes are plentiful. Culinary classes taught by renowned local chefs are available for foodies.
For museum goers, the park is home to many, such as the popular Clog Museum and the Heritage Centre. The Miesenthal glass site is also nearby as well as a covered market for modern plastic arts and music.
What makes the Northern Vosges Regional Natural Park Special?
In addition to the region's unrivaled local charm, the Northern Vosges is a historical mecca. Word is getting around and tourists from neighboring countries have been flocking to see such notable landmarks as the Fleckenstein Chateau and Wasenbourg Chateau. Since the region is rich in sand-stone and crystal making is a regional art, the ruins leave an everlasting trace in time.
With less than 90,000 local inhabitants living in such a broad area, the park retains its quaintness. The French account for nearly 80% of the tourism industry, with many of them venturing less than 2 hours from their homes.
What makes it sustainable?
The Northern Vosges' close proximity to major cities like Paris, Metz and Strasbourg make it an extremely desirable place to visit. High-speed trains from France, Germany and the surrounding Benelux region deliver travelers within 2-3 hours. An emphasis on using public transportation is highly re-garded.
Eco-friendly re-designed buildings are an ongoing theme in the park. Many older structures are being rebuilt to meet eco-friendly standards as the local French municipalities do their part in ushering France forward into the "green" future.
What should I look for in...
Spring: Glassmakers creating multi-colored ornaments Summer: Avid cyclers speeding along dedicated bike paths Fall: Food lovers raving about the local cuisine Winter: Hikers moving quietly along brisk trails
Highlights of the Northern Vosges Regional Natural Park:
Spend an indulging weekend in food paradise Take a class in crystal making Wake up at a charming bed and breakfast Relax outdoors in a hot spring spa
On the Tourist Wine Route of the Jura in Eastern France, visitors are invited to experience an 80km-long Jura wine route from Salinsles-Bains to Saint-Amour to best explore the region’s rich natural habitat, traditions as well as its gastronomy
Surrounded by admired regions such as Alsace, Moselle/Lorraine and the Palatinate in Germany, France's timeless wonder, the Northern Vosges Regional Natural Park, has begun to carve its own niche in time.
Not only is the Northern Vosges rich in local tradition, it is also a region defined by complex landscapes. Sandstone, hot springs and many water passages shape the park into an unparalleled oddity. A detour into the region is a stop worth making.
What can you do here? With an inspired century-old association like The Club Vosgien running the show, the park maintains a superior maze of over 1,650 km of hiking paths. In addition to this, there are over 900 km dedicated to cycling, mountain biking and horseback riding.
The region is also home to many of the finest glass and crystal makers in the world. Activities and workshops dedicated to this art are offered to visitors. The French are also known for their world-class cuisine and the Northern Vosges does not disappoint. Fine restaurants specializing in the region's unsurpassed tastes are plentiful. Culinary classes taught by renowned local chefs are available for foodies.
For museum goers, the park is home to many, such as the popular Clog Museum and the Heritage Centre. The Miesenthal glass site is also nearby as well as a covered market for modern plastic arts and music.
What makes the Northern Vosges Regional Natural Park Special?
In addition to the region's unrivaled local charm, the Northern Vosges is a historical mecca. Word is getting around and tourists from neighboring countries have been flocking to see such notable landmarks as the Fleckenstein Chateau and Wasenbourg Chateau. Since the region is rich in sand-stone and crystal making is a regional art, the ruins leave an everlasting trace in time.
With less than 90,000 local inhabitants living in such a broad area, the park retains its quaintness. The French account for nearly 80% of the tourism industry, with many of them venturing less than 2 hours from their homes.
What makes it sustainable?
The Northern Vosges' close proximity to major cities like Paris, Metz and Strasbourg make it an extremely desirable place to visit. High-speed trains from France, Germany and the surrounding Benelux region deliver travelers within 2-3 hours. An emphasis on using public transportation is highly re-garded.
Eco-friendly re-designed buildings are an ongoing theme in the park. Many older structures are being rebuilt to meet eco-friendly standards as the local French municipalities do their part in ushering France forward into the "green" future.
What should I look for in...
Highlights of the Northern Vosges Regional Natural Park: other EDEN destinations in France
The Tourist Wine Route of the Jura (2008)On the Tourist Wine Route of the Jura in Eastern France, visitors are invited to experience an 80km-long Jura wine route from Salinsles-Bains to Saint-Amour to best explore the region’s rich natural habitat, traditions as well as its gastronomy
how this holiday makes a difference
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Have you ever sat at your desk during a busy work day and felt your mind drift off to another place? That special spot on Monday was a beach somewhere in the Mediterranean. A few days later your mind ventured to a castle on top of a hillside. The experience was so vivid that you could almost smell the fresh mountain air.
Each day the clock ticks and you yearn for a holiday free of the hustle and bustle of city life. You want a destination that is known for its local charm, its beautiful landscapes and fascinating history. A place where the locals respect their land and will do anything to protect it from harm. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, in Europe, the possibilities are endless. The European Commission launched the European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN) a few years back with the aim of selecting special places "off the beaten path" that value economic, environmental and social sustainability. The 52 places chosen so far all represent Europe in a fitting manner. Europe is a continent of great history and lands. The continent's mystique draws tourists from around the world in search of adventure, paradise and culture. While there are many wonderful destinations in Europe, the truth is, many of them have lost their allure due to expansive tourism and a lack of regard for the environment. No longer can a region's name alone be enough to draw visitors to their majestic mountains or pristine beaches. There must be more and the European Commission has devoted numerous resources to instill the mind-set of sustainable tourism in its regions. Sustainable tourism is a practice that must run deep in the values of the local people. Whenever new accommodation is built and man-made changes are made to the landscape, eco-friendly and environmental measures must be followed. A constant respect for nature is needed to ensure that today's creatures and eco-systems are still around in the distant future. Sustainable tourism also plays a major role in a region's local economy. The growth of an area leads to more jobs and helps raise the quality of living in a region. The local people also take advantage of visitors eating at their restaurants, shopping at their markets and staying at their hotels. It is essential that proper investment in tourism growth has the people's best interests in mind.  The next time you go on a memorable holiday to the countryside and enjoy a bottle of the Earth's precious wine, take notice of the land and its people. These 52 selected EDEN "hidden gems" all have done their part in making their region a wonderful and memorable place to visit. Now it's up to you to decide which adventure you want to seek! |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |