📍 France

VOSGES ABBEYS: MONASTIC HERITAGE AND GREEN MOUNTAIN SILENCE

Abbeys nestled in valley hollows, bells ringing through mountain silence, devotion carved in granite. The Vosges, spiritual and soothing.

≈ 16
Days
409
Km
14
Stops
📖 9 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Cross the Vosges in the footsteps of ancient monastic routes. Discover Épinal and its textile heritage, explore Remiremont and its abbey, follow wooded valleys around Gérardmer and let high meadows and peaks frame a landscape of silence and spirituality.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Epinal

textile tradition brick heritage

Epinal - Photo 1Epinal - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Visit to the Basilica of Saint-Maurice in Épinal, architectural masterpiece between Romanesque and Gothic
2
Discovery of Épinal's historic center and its religious heritage
🎯

Activities

→
Walk along the Moselle and panorama from the city heights
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 26 km
Travel time: 31min
2
Day

Epinal

textile tradition brick heritage

Epinal - Photo 1Epinal - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Discovery of the ruins of Chaumousey Abbey, founded in 1090
🎯

Activities

→
Walk around Lake Bouzey and return to Épinal
3
Day

Saint Die Des Vosges

cathedral gothic mountain sanctuary

Saint Die Des Vosges - Photo 1Saint Die Des Vosges - Photo 2Saint Die Des Vosges - Photo 3Saint Die Des Vosges - Photo 4Saint Die Des Vosges - Photo 5Saint Die Des Vosges - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Visit of the Cathedral of Saint-Dié-des-Vosges and the cloister
2
Discovery of the Pierre-Noël Museum and the Celtic Camp of la Bure
🎯

Activities

→
Visit of the Trainland museum, on the history of miniature trains
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 51 km
Travel time: 1h01
4
Day

Autrey

abbey stone forest quiet

Autrey - Photo 1Autrey - Photo 2Autrey - Photo 3Autrey - Photo 4Autrey - Photo 5Autrey - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Visit of Notre-Dame d'Autrey Abbey and its gardens
🎯

Activities

→
Walk in the Mortagne valley
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 4 km
Travel time: 5min
5
Day

Etival Clairefontaine

convent valley mountain silence

Etival Clairefontaine - Photo 1Etival Clairefontaine - Photo 2Etival Clairefontaine - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Discovery of Saint-Pierre d'Étival Abbey, oldest abbey in the Land of Abbeys
🎯

Activities

→
Guided tour with documents available at the Tourist Office
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 4 km
Travel time: 4min
6
Day

Moyenmoutier

monastery granite peak anchor

Moyenmoutier - Photo 1Moyenmoutier - Photo 2Moyenmoutier - Photo 3Moyenmoutier - Photo 4Moyenmoutier - Photo 5Moyenmoutier - Photo 6Moyenmoutier - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Visit of Saint-Hydulphe de Moyenmoutier Abbey, center of the Lorraine monastic cross
🎯

Activities

→
Discovery of Benedictine heritage and walk in the Rabodeau valley
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 10 km
Travel time: 12min
7
Day

Senones

abbey meadow spiritual refuge

Senones - Photo 1Senones - Photo 2Senones - Photo 3Senones - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Visit to the Abbey of Saint-Pierre de Senones, a prominent Benedictine site
🎯

Activities

→
Walk through the old borough of Senones
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 17 km
Travel time: 20min
8
Day

Etanche

stone village monastic tradition

Etanche - Photo 1Etanche - Photo 2Etanche - Photo 3Etanche - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Discovery of the Abbey of Notre-Dame de l'Étanche, founded by the Cistercians
🎯

Activities

→
Exploration of the ruins and walk around the monastic site
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 111 km
Travel time: 2h13
9
Day

Domremy La Pucelle

joan of arc birthplace valley

Domremy La Pucelle - Photo 1Domremy La Pucelle - Photo 2Domremy La Pucelle - Photo 3Domremy La Pucelle - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Visit to the Basilica of Bois-Chenu, dedicated to Joan of Arc
🎯

Activities

→
Walk on the heights overlooking the Meuse valley
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 16 km
Travel time: 19min
10
Day

Neufchateau

fortress town medieval stone

Neufchateau - Photo 1Neufchateau - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Visit to the churches of Saint-Nicolas and Saint-Christophe de Neufchâteau
2
Discovery of the historic center classified as 'Plus Beaux Détours de France'
🎯

Activities

→
Walk through the medieval streets and visit to local museums
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 13 km
Travel time: 16min
11
Day

Relanges

isolated abbey mountain dwelling

Relanges - Photo 1Relanges - Photo 2Relanges - Photo 3Relanges - Photo 4Relanges - Photo 5Relanges - Photo 6Relanges - Photo 7Relanges - Photo 8
8 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Visit to the Romanesque church of Notre-Dame de Relanges and the Cluniac priory
🎯

Activities

→
Discovery of the village and its rural heritage
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 46 km
Travel time: 56min
12
Day

Claudon

village granite mountain soul

Claudon - Photo 1Claudon - Photo 2Claudon - Photo 3Claudon - Photo 4Claudon - Photo 5Claudon - Photo 6Claudon - Photo 7Claudon - Photo 8Claudon - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 12
🔍

Discover

1
Discovery of Notre-Dame de Droiteval Abbey founded in the 12th century
🎯

Activities

→
Walk in the Darney forest around the abbey site
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 9 km
Travel time: 11min
13
Day

Les Thons

forest settlement vosges embrace

Les Thons - Photo 1Les Thons - Photo 2Les Thons - Photo 3Les Thons - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 13
🔍

Discover

1
Visit to the Couvent des Cordeliers des Thons, 15th-century Franciscan complex
🎯

Activities

→
Stroll between Grand Thon and Petit Thon
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 23 km
Travel time: 28min
14
Day

Val D Ajol

wooded valley textile heritage

Val D Ajol - Photo 1Val D Ajol - Photo 2Val D Ajol - Photo 3Val D Ajol - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 14
🔍

Discover

1
Discovery of Hérival priory, 13th-century vestige in the heart of the valley
🎯

Activities

→
Walk in the Val-d'Ajol valley and visit to craft workshops
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 68 km
Travel time: 1h22
15
Day

Remiremont

basilica town ecclesiastical treasure

Remiremont - Photo 1Remiremont - Photo 2Remiremont - Photo 3Remiremont - Photo 4Remiremont - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 15
🔍

Discover

1
Visit to Remiremont Abbey, former noble chapter of canonesses
2
Discovery of the Charles Friry Museum and Renaissance heritage
🎯

Activities

→
Stroll through the historic center and along the Moselle quays
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 11 km
Travel time: 13min

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🛡️ Travel advice - France

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, blooming countryside, ideal for all regions, moderate crowds, excellent value, romantic atmosphere.

Summer (July-August): Warmest weather, peak tourist season, highest prices, crowded attractions, perfect for Mediterranean coast, festival season.

Fall (September-October): Harvest season, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, wine regions spectacular, excellent photography, good value.

Winter (November-March): Christmas markets, ski season Alps, fewer crowds, lowest prices, cozy indoor attractions, cultural experiences.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 13 and 19 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in France?

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