Mai-lodies Choral Concert
Celebrate the month of May with a special concert performed by the La Clé des Chants choir.
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Raon-l'Étape
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City
ℹ️Practical info — Raon-l'Étape
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Follow the trail of the 11 cast-iron fountains scattered throughout the town.
- It's a convenient base camp for hiking into the Vosges mountains; sturdy shoes are a must.
- Check out the town hall, built with local pink sandstone.
- Street parking in the center is usually easy, but market days can be busy.
🍽 Food
🍽
Quiche Lorraine
Try the authentic local savory tart at a traditional bakery in the town center.
🍽
Munster Cheese
Look for this pungent, delicious cheese in the local market.
🍽
Vosges Sweets
Pick up some traditional pine-flavored boiled sweets at a local confectionery.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Local Market
Visit the weekly market to buy regional cheeses and cured meats.
🛍
Woodcrafts
Keep an eye out for artisanal wooden items reflecting the area's timber heritage.
🧘
River Banks
Enjoy a peaceful walk along the confluence of the Plaine and Meurthe rivers.
🧘
Lac de la Plaine
A short drive away, this lake gives tranquil shores and nature trails.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
10
Wild Nature in my Street
Discover the plants growing on our sidewalks and admire their resilience in the urban environment. Registration required.
Theater Evening with Three Shows
The ART association presents three plays performed by children, teenagers, and adults. Please register by phone.
Majorettes Festival
Experience a vibrant show featuring dynamic choreographies and sparkling costumes in Raon-l-Étape.
WWII Memory Trail Walk
Commemorate the 1944 Battle of Viombois on a historical hiking route through the Vosges.
St. John the Baptist Chapel Feast
Enjoy an outdoor mass, theater performances, and a community meal in Bertrichamps.
Abbeys Festival: Voltaire's Brain
A futuristic concert experience set in 2125, exploring the limits of AI and human intelligence.
Superpowers of Nature
Discover the incredible abilities of plants and animals during this guided nature discovery walk.
Night Nature & Storytelling Walk
Reconnect with nature under the moonlight during a stroll that awakens all your senses.
Animal Tracks and Signs
Learn to identify the secret inhabitants of our forests by the traces they leave behind.
Raon-l'Étape is situated at the confluence of the Meurthe and Plaine rivers, with a history deeply rooted in the timber trade and logging operations of the Vosges Mountains. During the 19th century, the local wood industry brought significant economic prosperity, which is still evident in the elegant bourgeois houses and the eleven monumental cast-iron fountains distributed throughout the town. These fountains form a unique architectural walking route for visitors. Just a few kilometers away lies the Lac de Pierre-Percée, an artificial reservoir with a highly indented shoreline and surrounding pine forests that closely resemble Canadian landscapes. The lake area is a major hub for water sports, rock climbing, and hiking. In the town itself, architecture enthusiasts can visit the Saint-Luc church, which was rebuilt in a modern, minimalist style following the extensive damage of the World Wars. Raon-l'Étape provides direct access to heavily forested mountain trails that are extremely popular with mountain bikers. After a long hike, travelers should stop at the local bakeries to try traditional savory Lorraine meat pies.
- Location: Grand Est, France
- Top sights: Saint-Luc Church · Town Hall · Pierre-Borne Menhir
- Nearby: Baccarat (9 km)
- Population: ~6.597
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 0 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 5 | 1 |
| Rain mm | 67 | 56 | 59 | 50 | 82 | 73 | 70 | 76 | 59 | 71 | 67 | 78 |
Geography
Facts
- The commune covers an area of 23.71 square kilometers.
- It is famous for its collection of 11 decorative iron fountains.
- The elevation ranges from 280 to 585 meters above sea level.
- The local paper industry dates back to the early 16th century.
- The town was significantly rebuilt after fires in the 18th century.
- It serves as a key access point to the Lac de Pierre-Percée.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Raon-l'Étape (5)
Frequently asked questions
Why is Raon-l'Étape called the 'Gateway to the Vosges'?
The town is strategically located at the foot of the mountains, where the Meurthe and Plaine rivers meet.
What are the eleven fountains of Raon-l'Étape?
It is a set of historical 19th-century cast-iron fountains distributed throughout the town.
Are there good hiking trails nearby?
Yes, the trail to the 'Pierre d'Appel' rock features a great panoramic view of the valley.
Can you cycle in the region?
Yes, the 'Voie Verte de la Vallée de la Plaine' is a convenient cycling path for families.
Which local tradition is famous?
Raon was a center for timber floating, where wood was transported down the rivers.
Raon-l'Étape: where is it located?
Raon-l'Étape is located in Grand Est, France.
Raon-l'Étape: what is there to see?
Highlights include Saint-Luc Church, Town Hall, Pierre-Borne Menhir.
Raon-l'Étape: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Raon-l'Étape: why is it worth visiting?
Raon-l'Étape is situated at the confluence of the Meurthe and Plaine rivers, with a history deeply rooted in the timber trade and logging operations of the Vosges Mountains.
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