Discover Épinal: heritage, parks and activities

Épinal between heritage and green spaces

Épinal offers several distinct highlights for a stay: architectural and cultural history, extensive parkland, and attractions focused on science, nature and outdoor activities. Sights range from medieval buildings and historic collections to a planetarium and activities at the harbour. If you’re looking for hotels in Épinal, this overview can help you choose the focus of your visit based on your interests.

Architectural history, books and printmaking

The Basilique Saint-Maurice is the oldest surviving building in Épinal. Its history dates back to its foundation around 980: it was rebuilt in the 11th century and expanded by the 14th century. The Château d’Épinal represents a different chapter in architectural history. This fortified medieval complex dates from the 13th century and is listed as a historic monument. The two buildings thus reflect different historical developments: a basilica that grew over several centuries and a medieval fortification.

The Salle des Boiseries preserves thousands of old books in a remarkable, unique oak-wood setting. Among the books is one that is more than 1,200 years old. The Imagerie d’Épinal, founded in 1796, offers another perspective on Épinal’s heritage. Its collection includes nearly 7,000 lithographic stones, 1,400 woodblocks and 23 historic machines. These three figures represent different traces of the history of printing and convey the diversity of the collection.

The Glucoserie, Épinal’s Centre for the Interpretation of Architecture and Heritage, focuses on architecture and heritage. Its interpretation formats include videos, virtual reality, mashup projections, exhibitions and escape games. As the specific offerings may change, it is advisable to check the current formats before your visit.

Two landscape parks with distinct characters

Parc du Château is a 26-hectare English landscape park included in the supplementary register of historic monuments. Its features include an animal park, a medieval garden and an educational trail about lichens and pollen. The park is open daily and free to visit all year round. It combines a large expanse of parkland with several different themes, from gardens and wildlife to lichens and pollen.

Parc du Cours is located in central Épinal and covers 28 hectares; it, too, is an English landscape park. Notable features include a music pavilion dating from 1863 and a meteorological station from 1892. At 28 hectares compared with 26, it is slightly larger than Parc du Château. The features specifically mentioned also differ: here, the pavilion and station stand out, while the other park has an animal park, medieval garden and educational trail. You can compare the parks by their size and respective highlights.

Science, outdoor activities and water-based pursuits

The Planétarium d’Épinal offers year-round shows, science workshops, events and other educational activities about astronomy, space and the natural sciences. Spinaparc has a different focus: this five-hectare adventure area combines high ropes courses and a via ferrata on a sandstone rock face. The two attractions are quite distinct—the first presents scientific subjects, while the second combines different activities on the rock face.

At Base Natur’O in the harbour of Épinal, you can enjoy canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, electric boats that do not require a licence, and pedal boats. The availability of these activities may change, so check the current offerings before your visit. Another nature-related attraction is the 2.2-kilometre-long “Sur les traces du Nacré” trail, which refers to the rare cranberry fritillary butterfly. For planning purposes, you can compare different interests: year-round science offerings, activities on a sandstone rock face, water sports at the harbour or a trail connected to a rare butterfly.

Discover more destinations: Bruyères, Saint-Dié-Des-Vosges, Luvigny, Saint-Pierremont, Gerbemont, Sapois, Charmes, Lubine

For the regional travel overview: Vosges.