Seniors: A Tour de France Major Stop

Get your coffee, senior friends and let’s catch the last day of the Tour de France. I was watching this years Tour de France on TV and up came Gérardmer, one of the major stops (Stage 9) which is a commune in the Vosges department in Lorraine in northeastern France.

The city is home to 9,336 inhabitants and abounds in a plethora of things for senior visitors to see and do all year long. Favorites for my wife and me would include several high quality B&Bs plus le Manoir Au Lac. Gérardmer offers a rich and vibrant life right in the heart of a stunning natural setting between lake, forests and mountains making the area a ski paradise.

Gérardmer is nestled between lake and mountain forests. It has an exceptional life, sitting on industry and tourism, with the numerous sports and cultural events making for a dynamic and vibrant environment. As the French say, “Gérardmer à vivre Grandeur Nature”.

Gérardmer was the first town in France to have a tourist office, in 1875, indicating the culture of hospitality prevailing in this winter sports resort area… which is also popular in summer on account of its three lakes, Gérardmer, Longemer et Retournemer.

 Seniors, Charlemagne Voted ‘Yes’ For Gérardmer

Even Charlemagne, it seems, was taken with the place and came to stay. Good enough for Charlemagne, good enough for most of us, I’d say. Beautiful Jonquils are celebrated with an annual flower Festival.

Two theaters offer a rich and varied program with dance, theater and concerts. Gérardmer has several major events: Fantastic’Arts (the Fantastic Film Festival), the Rencontres du Cinema, the Festival of Daffodils, Ironman (triathlon world), the fireworks on the lake and the market Christmas exhibitions.

Gérardmer  is a paradise of cultural relaxation. The city is not only a well-known health and summer resort, but also a large winter sports resort boasting a variety of installations.

Set in the heart of a luxuriant, well-protected natural site, nestling between lake and imposing woods, Gérardmer  shows the winter tourist what skiing for pleasure really means and it is situated only 1.5 miles from the valley of lakes.

 Seniors, when you are tooling around Les Vosges in northeast France, stop by this fascinating city and spend a few days. Any time during the year you will find fun things to see and do. jeb