Lac de Retournemer
Domaine de Longemer Public campsite

Tourist attractionsThe lakes

Longemer lake

The Longemer lake sits in a basin which was made by a glacier.The Vologne River flows through. The surface area is 76 ha and it is 1950m long, 550m wide and 34m deep. Altitude 736m.

Since 2002, the lake and its surroundings have been part of a listed area to preserve the identity and the beauty of the site.

Swimming

Although it is allowed, there is not supervision and the local authorities decline responsibilities in case of accidents.

Boating

You can enjoy boating on the lake. Boats and windsurf boards can be hired on the lake of Longemer side.

Fishing

Pêche à la mouche

You can fish in the lake or in the Vologne river. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced fisherman, you will enjoy fishing trout, perch, burbot, pik, roach, chub, char, lake or river fish. Don't forget to buy your permit:

  • Tobacconist L’Osella
    Route de Colmar, 88400 Xonrupt-Longemer
    Phone: 00 333 29 60 88 61
  • Campsite La Chaumière
    2404, route du lac, 88400 Xonrupt-Longemer
    Phone : 00 333 29 63 13 30

Retournemer lake

It is a privately owned lake, renowned for its beauty. It was created by a glacier and is crossed by the Vologne river too.Swimming is forbidden and fishing is private.

It is 320m wide, 250 m long and 11.5m deep. Altitude 776m.

The creation of the Lake Valley

During the quaternary glaciations, The Vosges were covered by ice sheets several times.The three lakes were born during the Würm glaciation between 80,000 & 10,000 B.C.

  • The first one, Retournemer, is a caldera shaped lake.
  • The second one, Longemer, lies inside the bed of a former glacier.
  • The third one, Gérardmer, is a moraine-dammed lake.