I’m attending the Forbach Medieval Festival. A friendly, family-friendly event with music, equestrian and knight shows, and falconry—a chance to immerse yourself in the medieval era. Numerous stalls offer drinks, beers, and local food (sausages, etc.). View this post on Instagram A post shared by Italia57 (Alex) (@italia57.fr) View this post on Instagram A post…

Last morning at Gîte Terre de Sapins, with breakfast served in the apartment and delicious fresh Alsatian apple juice. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Italia57 (Alex) (@italia57.fr)   Last meal at the Gîte Terre de Sapins, a very well decorated restaurant in an Alsatian-Vosges mountain style, with lots and lots of…

The Wettstein Cemetery, near the Col du Linge (Orbey), is the final resting place of more than 3,500 French soldiers (1,334 of whom were killed during the Battles of 1915). Predominantly, Alpine infantrymen and even Indochinese riflemen were present. One of the bloodiest episodes of the First World War took place here in the Vosges…

Vosges Mountains in Alsace, on the way to the Linge Memorial, a major historical site of the Great War (World War I). View this post on Instagram A post shared by Italia57 (Alex) (@italia57.fr)   We arrive at the Linge Memorial (Der Lingekopf, The Linge) 1915, a historic site of the First World War between…

Another day at the Gîte Terre de Sapins in Blancrupt, in the Vosges Mountains, near the Alsatian village of Orbey. An opportunity to take a short stroll among the round ball parks and fir trees. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Italia57 (Alex) (@italia57.fr)   Typical Alsatian Vosges breakfast at the Gîte…

After Lac Blanc in the Orbey Valley in the heart of the Vosges Mountains, here comes Lac Noir. The lake, of glacial origin, lives up to its name; the water is very dark. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Italia57 (Alex) (@italia57.fr) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Italia57…

We’re going to visit the magnificent Lac Blanc (1,055m above sea level), not far from our chalet and Orbey in the Alsatian Vosges. It’s a glacial lake bordered by fir trees and granite cliffs. There are quite a few hiking trails around it, with spectacular viewpoints, especially at Roche du Hans. I parked my car…

We’ve just arrived in Blancrupt, at the Gîte Terre de Sapins. The place is truly magnificent. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Italia57 (Alex) (@italia57.fr)   Terre de Sapins Gîte in Blancrupt, in the Vosges Mountains, Alsace. We stayed in the “Horizon” chalet, with a magnificent view of the meadow, the mountains,…

It’s time to leave, unfortunately. We had a wonderful vacation in Gérardmer despite the weather. I can’t recommend the Aigle des Neiges chalet again, a marvel. We’re off to our next destination, still in the Vosges Mountains, but in Alsace, near Orbey. We pass by the Intermarché supermarket in the town center, and we can…

1st day of August 2025, wake up at the Chalet Aigle des Neiges in Gérardmer, with as usual a magnificent view of the Lake. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Italia57 (Alex) (@italia57.fr)   The weather is, how can I put it, awful, there’s so much fog and rain that we can’t…