With long-distance travel and projects limited due to the health crisis, my wife Cécile and I headed for the Vosges for a few days over the summer.
The programme was simple: get back to nature, the scent of the forest, the fresh air and the heights (I really like the views from the wide open spaces). So, with my camera bag on my back, my Canon 5D on my shoulder and my walking shoes on my feet, we set off on an exciting hunt for images over the next few days!
Of course, as usual, I found the photo spots on the internet, the satellite map, the timing of the shoot prepared with PhotoPills. Nevertheless, I always leave room for spontaneity!
We settled not far from Gérardmer, in La Bresse (a town famous for its ski resort). The idea was not to be too far from the various spots, especially if you had to be there very early in the morning (if you can avoid having to get up even earlier (for the road) it's still more comfortable! )
1. The great balloon of the Vosges
A well-known destination in the Vosges, this is where we started our first walk. At an altitude of 1400m, it is one of the highest summits in the Vosges. Despite this altitude, it's easy to get to by car via the route des crêtes, and it's only a 20/25 minute walk from the car park to the balloon itself (and a slight climb). Of course, you have to get back to the starting point afterwards, so it's a short hour's walk, taking time to enjoy the scenery and take a few photos! The route is well signposted and fairly busy, but offers some great views, particularly of the lake below.
At the top of the grand ballon, you'll find the radar, but also the Diables bleus monument (1927)! A granite pyramid erected in memory of the Alpine troops who succeeded in retaking the high Vosges mountains and holding on during the First World War (like devils).
After this not-to-be-missed visit for anyone wishing to discover the Vosges, it was the turn of the "coloured" lakes that caught our attention!
In fact, in the Vosges there are lakes of all colours 😂! No, to be more precise, there are lakes with all sorts of coloured names! White, green, black and so on! I don't know where these names come from, but these lakes in the Vosges are great for hiking in the fresh air! With varying gradients, forest passages, rocky outcrops, valley paths - in short, there's something for everyone! It's the ideal way to recharge your batteries and simply keep fit!
2. The haut Chitelet high-altitude garden
In between long hikes, you need to take time to recover! Of course, always with photos! 😜 What could be better than doing a bit of macro photography of the rich flora of the Vosges! Changing your perspective and the way you look at things is generally quite rewarding!
Here we go for the " haut Chitelet high altitude garden The garden is designed to "improve our knowledge of mountain flora". The garden also serves as a reserve for endangered plant species.
3. Near sentier des Roches
After this recuperative interlude, and a good night's sleep, it's the perfect time to enjoy a sunrise. We set off at 5am, and were in position 10 minutes before the sun appeared. The timing was a little off, but the sun was out in full force, in a particularly red dress that provided a nice contrast with the atmospheric blue. Here's what it looked like ....
The great thing about this time of day is that there are very few people, apart from the experienced hikers who set off early, but above all the wildlife wakes up too! All you have to do is be quiet and move slowly to enjoy the agile acrobats of the Vosges! We met a small group of chamois at the summit at 6.30am!
Just goes to show that planning helps you to be on time and in the right place for spontaneity!!!! 😂 and allows for these chance encounters! and others ...
As we weren't very far away, we made a detour to the Honneck! It's the third highest peak in the Vosges, rising to an altitude of around 1,300 metres and dominating the ridges separating Alsace from Lorraine. It's also one of the must-see places in the region, and a starting and finishing point for many hikers.
That's it for this little trip to the French Vosges! And what's your experience of the Vosges?
Photographically yours,
David
