Frequently Asked Questions

Domaine des Messires is a nature campsite in the heart of the Vosges, set in a wooded estate around a private 5-hectare lake. It offers peaceful camping pitches, rental accommodation and a wide range of outdoor activities.

The site is on Rue des Messires, 88600 Herpelmont, France, within the Vosges mountains.

The campsite provides 120 pitches, 20 mobile-homes and 2 rental tents.

Its private lake with excellent water quality allows free swimming, canoeing, paddle boarding and catch-and-release fishing, creating a tranquil lakeside setting that sets it apart from other campsites.

You can choose a traditional camping pitch, a fully equipped mobile-home or one of two pre-pitched rental tents.

Yes, the campsite rents mobile-homes adapted for guests with reduced mobility, including a ramp and wheelchair-friendly interior spaces.

Pitches start at €32.25 per night, while weekly rentals start at €411.45.

Yes, potable water is provided directly on every pitch.

No tokens are required; water usage is included in the camping price.

From 24 April – 4 July and 29 August – 14 September the desk is open 08:30-12:00 and 14:00-17:00, while from 4 July – 28 August it stays open nonstop from 08:30 to 19:00.

Pitch guests may arrive up to 22:00; mobile-home arrivals are accepted until reception closes, and late arrivals should telephone in advance.

Yes, free Wi-Fi is offered around the main building.

4G coverage is good throughout the campsite.

Open fires are not permitted on pitches, but a communal campfire area is provided.

Barbecues on legs are allowed; you may bring your own or rent one from the campsite.

Multiple supermarkets—Intermarché, Leclerc, Aldi and Lidl—are located in Bruyères, 5 km from the campsite.

There is no full grocery store, but the campsite sells regional products, ice creams and drinks.

Yes. Throughout the season you can order bread and viennoiseries via the campsite app; two local bakeries deliver every morning. Simply place your order the day before and collect it the next morning at the bar/reception.

A freezer is available in the sanitary block for refreezing cooling elements.

Guests can swim and fish in the spring-fed 4-hectare lake or explore it by canoe and stand-up paddle board. Both types of craft are free of charge for campsite guests, but registration in advance is required to use them.

Yes. Catch-and-release fishing is allowed on the campsite’s private 5-hectare lake free of charge, and no permit is required. Fishing permits are only necessary for other waters in the Vosges outside the campsite.

No. None of the mobile-homes, including the Super Cordelia model, are equipped with a TV.

Yes. Two washing machines and two dryers are located in the sanitary building. They are coin-operated, and the necessary coins can be obtained at reception.

No, refrigerators are not available for rent.

Yes. During the high-season school holidays, the Kids Club runs morning and early-evening sessions five days a week featuring crafts, drawing, creative workshops and outdoor games. At other times children can still enjoy the playground, large swing, sports fields and board games in the indoor living room.

Yes, a bistro operates on the site, serving food and drinks.

Two modern sanitary buildings are available, along with a dedicated family area for parents with babies and toddlers.

The site welcomes families, couples and seniors seeking a nature-focused holiday in the Vosges.

You can call +33 (0)3 29 58 56 29 for reservations or information.

For 2026, Domaine des Messires welcomes guests from 24 April to 14 September. Reception operates 08:30-12:00 and 14:00-17:00 outside high season (24 Apr – 4 Jul and 29 Aug – 14 Sep) and non-stop 08:30-19:00 during high season (4 Jul – 28 Aug).

You can download the campsite map, the 2026 price list, the brochure and the general terms in the “Documents à télécharger” section of the Domaine des Messires website.

The campsite’s lake covers an area of 5 hectares.

Yes, the campsite sits in the Vosges mountains with hundreds of kilometres of marked hiking routes that start in the surrounding area, including paths leading through the Ballons des Vosges and Vosges du Nord nature parks.

No. Swimming in the campsite’s private 5-hectare lake is free of charge for all guests.

Yes. The campsite provides an indoor common room where guests can relax; it includes a communal television that broadcasts major sports events and other important programmes.

The campsite lies just off the D423 between Bruyères and Gérardmer. From this road, simply follow the brown signs for “Lac (Domaine) des Messires” and you will arrive in a few minutes. Drivers coming from the north, west or south should take the N57 or N59 and exit at Bruyères; those arriving from Alsace can cross via the Col du Bonhomme or the Col de la Schlucht. GPS devices sometimes lead down narrow tourist routes, so we recommend turning your GPS off and on again once you reach Bruyères or Gérardmer before following the signs. The GPS coordinates are 48°17’829" N, 6°74’219" E.

On site you’ll find a playground with a large swing, a soccer pitch, multipurpose sports fields, a beach volleyball court, a pétanque/boules court, as well as table-tennis tables and table-soccer equipment. Boules, rackets and other gear can be borrowed free of charge at reception.

Yes. Several climbing and treetop adventure parks operate in the Vosges, including Spinapark, Acrobranch, Bol d’air and Acrosphere, each offering its own range of aerial courses and thrills.

Yes. A lakeside sauna for up to 4 people is available; one-hour sessions can be reserved at reception and the fee is settled at the end of your stay.

Yes. Two mountain bike routes of different difficulty levels start at Domaine des Messires, and their GPS tracks can be accessed through the campsite’s app.

Fraispertuis City is roughly a 30-minute drive from Domaine des Messires. It can also be reached by regional bus lines 14, 7 or 17 via Lunéville, Épinal, Gérardmer or Saint-Dié-des-Vosges.

The restaurant opens in mid-May and operates Thursday–Sunday. In July and August it extends to Wednesday–Sunday, with takeaway only on Mondays and full closure on Tuesdays. The restaurant closes for the season on 7 September.

For 2025, Domaine des Messires is open from 25 April until 14 September.

Cycle tourists benefit from a covered bike shelter, a dedicated bicycle-washing shower, access to the washing machines and dryers, daily bread service and a small bistro. Domaine des Messires will also carry the official “Accueil Vélo” label from the 2026 season.

Yes. When the bistro is not open you can still request prepared dishes; simply place your order with the team in advance.

Yes. The knowledge base states that all amounts can be settled by debit card at Domaine des Messires.

Yes. The campsite includes a cross-country track that guests can ride using their own mountain bike or one rented at reception.

The 30 m² Riviera Suite sleeps up to six guests: one bedroom has a 160 × 200 cm double bed, a second bedroom has two 190 × 80 cm single beds, and the living area includes a sofa bed for two.

The Loggia mobile homes on locations 7, 22, 23, 103, 106, 110, 112 and 113 enjoy lake or mountain views.

Each pitch has its own individual electrical socket, rated at 10 amps (blue CEE-type plug). A 10-metre extension lead is enough to reach the socket from anywhere on the pitch.

Every pitch has a 10-amp electrical hook-up (blue CEE-type socket), included in the pitch price. This connection is not intended for charging electric vehicles — for that, we have 2 dedicated EV charging stations located in the car park.

Yes. The private 5-hectare lake is continually fed by natural springs, giving it excellent water quality that is safe for swimming.

All pitch categories are indicated for up to six people.

Yes. The mobile app supplies practical information such as opening times and entertainment schedules for your stay, lists main points of interest nearby, and offers GPS tracks for the mountain-bike routes that start around the campsite. You can also order bread for the next morning trough the app

The 30 m² Super Cordelia sleeps up to six guests. It offers one bedroom with a 160 × 200 cm double bed and two separate bedrooms, each fitted with two 190 × 80 cm single beds.

The 24 m² Loggia mobile home is designed for up to four people. It contains one bedroom with a 160 × 200 cm double bed and a second bedroom with two 190 × 80 cm single beds; a double sofa bed provides additional seating inside the living area.

The 32 m² O’Hara PMR mobile home is adapted for guests with reduced mobility and accommodates up to four people. It features one bedroom with a 160 × 200 cm double bed and one bedroom with two 190 × 80 cm single beds.

Yes. The campsite’s lakefront includes a beach area where guests can relax on the shore and enter the water for swimming.

Yes. The small store at reception sells regional products, including bottles of Alsace wine.

Yes. The 120 pitches lie within wooded grounds, so most provide natural shade from the surrounding trees.

Yes. Each Riviera Suite is equipped with a 15 m² outdoor terrace for dining and relaxation.

The Riviera Suites are situated on locations 8 and 10, offering privacy and pleasant views of the natural surroundings.

Fishing gear is not provided on site; guests who wish to fish on the lake need to bring their own rods and tackle.

Yes. The private 5-hectare lake has calm, spring-fed water that offers an ideal, sheltered environment for guests who are new to canoeing or paddle boarding.

Yes. In high season an entertainer hosts social activities in the indoor living room, such as board-game sessions and other group events open to adults.

Yes. The lakeside beach area is equipped with deckchairs and umbrellas that guests can use for sunbathing and picnics.

The campsite occupies a 12-hectare wooded park in the Vosges mountains.

Five pitch categories are available: Location Ruisseau, Pitch Playground and Central location—each measuring about 90–120 m²—plus Lake location (around 100 m²) and Lake location Comfort Plus (about 150–200 m²). All categories accommodate up to six people and include a 10-amp electricity hook-up, a potable-water tap and sometimes a grey-water drain.

Regional favourites include Munster cheese, mirabelle plums in tarts or liqueurs, the wild-blueberry ‘brimbelle’ tart and the hearty potato-and-bacon dish called tofailles; you can also sample acclaimed Alsace wines produced just across the Vosges passes.

Yes. The thermal resorts of Vittel and Plombières-les-Bains lie within the Vosges and offer renowned wellness facilities fed by the region’s mineral springs.

The Tendon waterfalls, located in a forested valley near Gérardmer, feature the highest drop in the Vosges—35 m at the Grande Cascade—plus a smaller cascade linked by a scenic walking path.

Yes. The rounded hill of Grande Avison above Bruyères is reached by a woodland walk that leads to a 15-metre observation tower offering wide panoramic views over the Vosges mountains and the village.

Fantasticable at La Bresse lets you speed along a 1,350-metre cable up to 100 km/h, soaring above the Vosges treetops; a seated ‘Fantasticool’ version is also available for a gentler ride.

Yes. Online booking allows guests to choose their preferred pitch from an interactive map, with a small supplement for this option.

Yes. Guests can borrow a set of boules and rackets from reception for use on the campsite’s sports facilities.

Yes. Each rental accommodation has a spacious terrace equipped with garden furniture and sun loungers for relaxing or eating outside.

Yes. The campsite provides an evening snack bar for guests who want something to eat after a busy day.

For questions about current availability, Domaine des Messires asks guests to use the reservations page. The contact form is intended for other questions about the campsite or the Vosges.

The campsite FAQ describes public transportation as “not worth mentioning.” Guests should not rely on meaningful public transport options from the campsite based on the available information.

The Ruisseau pitches are located near a stream and offer a quiet natural setting. They measure about 90–120 m², accommodate up to 6 people and include water, sanitation and 10-amp electricity connections.

Yes. The pitches are set in a wooded park and are naturally bordered by trees and vegetation to help preserve peace and privacy.

Children and adults can use the indoor living room to play board games, relax with toys or browse the small library. The space is designed for convivial moments whatever the weather.

The Bar Restaurant serves hot drinks, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. Guests can enjoy them on the terrace overlooking the lake.

Yes. The pitches at Domaine des Messires are suitable for guests travelling with a tent, caravan or motorhome, and they include access to electricity, cold water, drainage and modern sanitary facilities.

The pitches are designed to blend into the natural surroundings rather than follow a carefully laid-out grid. They are located by the lake, in the forest, near the stream or in the central area, with trees helping to preserve peace and privacy.

Yes. The Vosges are ideal for both mountain biking and road cycling, and the campsite rents mountain bikes for either a full day or a half day so you can explore the surrounding countryside or try the two marked routes that start directly from Domaine des Messires.

Yes. The surrounding area includes several toboggan runs and candy factories, as well as Gérardmer, the Alsace wine route, wine villages, Fraispertuis and other local attractions.

Yes. The contact page provides a form for questions about the campsite or the Vosges, and the team states that it will reply as soon as possible. For current availability, guests are asked to use the reservations page instead.

Yes. Domaine des Messires is located at the end of a small road and is surrounded by forest and meadows, contributing to its peaceful natural atmosphere.

In high season, the bistro is open on Mondays for takeaway only. The takeaway options mentioned are burgers, nuggets and fries.

Yes. The Dutch homepage states that guests can swim, fish or float on the lake in their own small boat. Free canoes and stand-up paddle boards are also available on site.

Yes. Bruyères is 5 km from the campsite and can be reached by car or via an alternative route by bicycle or on foot. The knowledge base notes that the surrounding area is hilly and has few cycle paths, so cycling is easier with gears or electric assistance.

Yes. In addition to its outdoor sports fields, the campsite features an indoor mountain-bike circuit that guests of all ages can use for riding practice and fun.

Dogs are welcome at Camping Domaine des Messires, provided they remain on a leash at all times. Category 1 and 2 dogs (as defined by French dangerous-dog legislation) are not permitted. All pitch categories allow pets, with the standard allowance being one dog per pitch; a second dog is possible on request. A daily pet fee applies—€4.50 in low season and €6.50 in peak season for 2026; please refer to the current tariff sheet for exact dates.

Online reservations are processed through Stripe and may be paid with iDEAL, Bancontact, or major credit cards. On site, payments are accepted by debit/bank card, Visa and Mastercard credit cards, cash, and Chèques-Vacances.

From 20 July 2026, two 11 kW EV charging stations are available on site. The chargers operate via the Freshmile network at a 2026 rate of €0.45 per kWh. Freshmile supports roaming with many charging cards and apps, but compatibility with every provider cannot be guaranteed. Guests may verify compatibility with Freshmile in advance or simply scan the on-site QR code to initiate and pay for charging.

Bookings may be modified free of charge within seven days of receiving the confirmation; after this period, they become final. A 25 % deposit is payable within two weeks of confirmation, with the remaining balance due four weeks before arrival (reservations made within four weeks of the stay must be paid in full at the time of booking). Cancellations submitted in writing are free of charge more than three months before arrival; those made between three months and four weeks before arrival forfeit the 25 % deposit, and no refund is given for late arrival or early departure. Should the campsite cancel a booking—whether for operational reasons or force majeure such as natural disasters or fire—the guest receives a full refund of all payments, with no additional compensation.

Yes. Every pitch is equipped with a potable cold-water tap and most of them have an adjacent drain for grey-water discharge (bring your own drain hose if you wish to connect). A chemical-toilet disposal facility is located at the corner of the sanitary building. While a full motor-home service area is not available, these connections let most guests empty waste water conveniently on their pitch.

Swimming in the lake is unsupervised; no lifeguards are on duty. The water quality is officially tested at least every two weeks and consistently meets safety standards. Guests are advised to ensure that children are always accompanied by an adult.

Quiet hours are enforced from 10:00 PM to 7:30 AM. Vehicle movement is prohibited between 10:30 PM and 7:30 AM, and a 5 km/h speed limit applies at all times. Full regulations are detailed in the campsite’s internal rules, available at reception.

Pitch check-out is required before 12:00 PM (noon), with check-in available from 2:00 PM. Mobile-home check-out is before 10:00 AM, and check-in begins at 3:00 PM (15:00).

Bed linen is not provided in the mobile-homes; however, you can hire linen sets on site for an additional charge. Towels and tea towels are not available for hire and should be brought by guests. If you bring your own, note that the beds require fitted sheets and duvet covers in sizes 160 × 200 cm for doubles and 80 × 190 cm for singles.

Dogs are not permitted in the designated swimming and beach areas of the lake. Pet owners are requested to keep their dogs away from the beach and main swimming zone out of consideration for other guests.

The campsite does not provide on-site facilities for refilling or exchanging camping gas bottles. During the summer season, guests can typically obtain gas bottles at supermarkets and DIY stores in the surrounding area.

The sanitary blocks are not heated. Guests are advised to bring suitable footwear and warm clothing for the cooler mornings typical of April, May, and September.

Yes. Accessible toilets and showers are available in both the male and female sanitary blocks.

General practitioners are available in Laveline-devant-Bruyères, the nearest village, and in Bruyères, approximately 5 km away. Bruyères also has three pharmacies. For more serious emergencies, hospitals are located in Épinal, Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, and Remiremont, each about a 30-minute drive.

All mobile homes are equipped with heating; air-conditioning is not available. Energy costs are fully included in the rental price.

Reception staff assist guests in French, English, German, and Dutch. The animation team currently operates in French and English and will expand to include Dutch and German in 2026.

Late check-out cannot be reserved. Guests who require a later departure should book an additional night to ensure their pitch or mobile home remains available and to avoid any uncertainty on the day of departure.

Day visitors are not permitted; access to the campsite is strictly limited to registered guests only.

Upon check-in, each guest is given a yellow recycling bag for cardboard, paper, cans, PET bottles, and other plastic packaging. A dedicated glass recycling container is available on site, and general waste bins are located throughout the campsite. Green or organic waste is not collected separately.

Yes. The on-site bistro’s small menu specifically includes vegetarian dishes, so guests following a meat-free diet will find suitable choices.

The campsite does not feature a swimming pool. Instead, guests can enjoy swimming in the 4-hectare, spring-fed lake, which offers a scenic and refreshing alternative to a traditional pool.

A baby kit is available for rent to mobile-home guests. The kit includes a high chair, a baby bath, and a travel cot with mattress. To guarantee availability, please request it when booking or upon arrival.

Yes. The private 5-hectare lake is constantly supplied by natural springs, so the water is continuously renewed and remains of excellent quality for safe swimming, canoeing and fishing.

No, none of the pitches are equipped with private sanitary facilities. All guests use the shared sanitary blocks, which are cleaned regularly, even during high season. As private facilities are not available, there is no price difference between pitches.

A dedicated, covered dish-washing area is available onsite. It is equipped with hot water for campers’ convenience.