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Épinal

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City
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Épinal (France)
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Practical info — Épinal

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Do not miss the Musée de l'Image; it is essential for understanding the town's famous "Images d'Épinal" (popular woodcuts and prints).
  • The ruins of the medieval Château d'Épinal offer the best panoramic views of the city and the Moselle river valley.
  • When walking along the Moselle, cross the river using the footbridges for scenic photos of the historic colorful facades.
  • Public transport is convenient, but the historic center and the riverbanks are compact and best explored on foot.

🍽 Food

🍽
Quiche Lorraine

Enjoy the authentic version of this savory tart with bacon, a staple of the region, found in traditional brasseries.

🍽
Pâté Lorrain

A delicious meat pastry wrapped in puff pastry found in local bakeries, first-rate for a quick snack.

🍽
Brimbelles (Blueberries)

Try local desserts, tarts, or candies flavored with wild blueberries from the nearby Vosges mountains.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Images d'Épinal

Buy authentic, traditional woodcut prints, paper theater sets, and modern illustrations directly from the historic printing house at the Imagerie d'Épinal shop.

🛍
Covered Market (Marché Couvert)

A great place in the city center to find local cheeses (like Munster) and regional Lorraine delicacies.

🧘
Parc du Château

A vast, peaceful park on the castle hill surrounding the castle ruins, featuring an animal park, English gardens, and vineyards.

🧘
Port d'Épinal

Stroll along the marina and the canal along the Moselle to enjoy a quiet afternoon watching the boats.

Highlights of 2026

10

Épinal is the capital of the Vosges department in the Grand Est region, picturesquely situated on the banks of the Moselle River. The city gained worldwide fame for its 'Images d'Épinal,' popular color prints produced by the Imagerie d'Épinal since the late 18th century, which are seen as precursors to modern comics. The historical center features the Saint-Maurice Basilica, a significant religious site founded in the 11th century that displays a unique transition from Romanesque to Gothic architecture. Épinal is consistently ranked as one of the greenest cities in France, surrounded by vast forests that historically fueled the local timber and paper industries. On a rocky outcrop overlooking the city lie the ruins of the medieval Castle of Épinal and an extensive park with an animal enclosure. Today, the city blends its industrial heritage with modern art, notably at the Departmental Museum of Ancient and Contemporary Art, one of the most prominent collections in eastern France.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C115913171919151051
Rain mm756167578677708064797786

Live webcam – Épinal

See what it looks like near Épinal right now.

Epinal: Quai Jules Ferry · 0.1 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Population
39,518
Coordinates
48.17300, 6.45000

Facts

  • Famous for the 'Images d'Épinal' color prints
  • Saint-Maurice Basilica was founded in the 11th century
  • Located on the Moselle River in the Vosges
  • Consistently ranked among the greenest cities in France
  • Ruins of a 13th-century castle overlook the city
  • The Imagerie d'Épinal printing house was founded in 1796

Explore nearby

Notable places around

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Sights in the town Épinal (6)

Museum of the Image (Musée de l'Image)🏛 museum

A unique museum dedicated to the famous 'Épinal prints' and the history of popular imagery.

Basilica of Saint-Maurice⛪ religious

A 13th-century Gothic basilica featuring a distinctive architecture that blends various regional styles.

Place des Vosges🏙 civic

The historic main square of Épinal, famous for its Renaissance arcaded houses and lively atmosphere.

Castle Park (Parc du Château)🎡 recreation

A vast hilltop park surrounding the ruins, including a small animal park and botanical gardens.

Departmental Museum of Ancient and Contemporary Art🏛 museum

Located on the banks of the Moselle, it houses extensive collections from archaeology to modern art.

Épinal Rose Garden🌿 nature

A beautiful riverside garden showcasing a vast collection of rose varieties in a serene setting.

Frequently asked questions

What are 'Images d'Épinal'?
Famous popular colored prints produced here since the 18th century; you can visit the Musée de l'Image.
What does the Parc du Château offer?
Medieval castle ruins, an animal park, playgrounds, and a panoramic view over the city of Epinal.
Which river flows through Epinal?
The Moselle river flows through the city; there is a whitewater stadium in the center for kayaking and canoeing.
What is the main religious building?
The Saint-Maurice Basilica, a blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles with a striking 13th-century west facade.
Is there a large square in the center?
Place des Vosges is the historical heart of the city, surrounded by Renaissance houses with distinctive arcades.
Épinal: where is it located?
Épinal is located in Grand Est, France.
Épinal: what is there to see?
Highlights include Museum of the Image (Musée de l'Image), Basilica of Saint-Maurice, Place des Vosges.
Épinal: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Épinal: why is it worth visiting?
Épinal is the capital of the Vosges department in the Grand Est region, picturesquely situated on the banks of the Moselle River.
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