Every year in September, the European Heritage Days invite young and old to (re)discover the richness of our cultural, natural and historical heritage. For this 2025 edition, meet the Saturday September 20 and Sunday September 21 to enjoy a program rich in discoveries in the Vosges Valleys.
Discover some of the places open to the public in preview!
All programming available here !
Unmissable places
Henri Mathieu Museum – Bruyères
Housed in the former Bruyères synagogue, built in 1902 thanks to patron Daniel Osiris and listed Monument since 1991, the Henri Mathieu Museum is an essential place to discover the folk arts of Lorraine and France.
This museum contains rare and characteristic objects from a bygone era :
a beautiful collection of earthenware carefully selected,
des lace and everyday objects from the 19th and early 20th centuries,
a presentation around Jean Lurçat, an artist born in Bruyères, world-renowned for his tapestries,
an exhibition dedicated to war hero who liberated Bruyères in October 1944.
Beyond the collections, the building itself is worth a visit: a Vosges sandstone architecture, a witness to the history of the local Jewish community and a remarkable example of early 20th century architectural heritage.
Practical :
- Dates and times:
Saturday, September 20: 15 a.m. to 00 p.m.
Sunday, September 21: 15:00 p.m. - 18:00 p.m.
- Prices: Free
- Duration: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
ℹ️ Conditions: no reservation required – open to all
Location :
The castle of Girecourt-sur-Durbion
Saturday and Sunday, visit thee Château de Girecourt-sur-Durbion from 14:00 p.m. to 18:00 p.m.
- Entrance: €7/person, Free for under-15s
- Tours depart every 30 minutes
- Duration of the visit: Approximately 40 minutes
Guided tour of the Grébier Ravine
Saturday and Sunday, discover this unmissable place in the Vosges Valleys.
- Entrance: Free
- Saturday : 14:30 p.m. and 16:00 p.m. | Sunday : 10:00 a.m., 14:30 p.m. and 16:00 p.m.
- Duration of the visit: Approximately 1 hour
Discover life in the past by visiting an early 19th-century mill – Xamontarupt
Immerse yourself in the history of a mill created in 1803 by the Bexon family, where water from the Cuve River drove two large waterwheels. A milling, oil mill, clog making, and blast iron production line operated on the site, three of which are still visible today.
During the guided tour led by the current owner, you will discover the vintage machinery, frozen in time, ready to be put back into operation. A vivid immersion into rural life of yesteryear.
Practical :
- Dates and times:
Saturday, September 20: 14:30 p.m.-16:00 p.m. / 16:30 p.m.-18:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 21: 14:30 p.m.-16:00 p.m. / 16:30 p.m.-18:00 p.m.
- Prices: €7/adult – free for children under 12
- Duration: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
ℹ️ Conditions: no reservation required – open to all
Location :
And unusual places!
Discover the history of the Avison Massif and its remarkable trees – Bruyères
On Sunday, a hiking trip takes you along the Avison massif's circular trail.
Along the way, discover the history of this emblematic forest and meet four remarkable trees: the Douglas fir and the Weymouth pine, exotic species introduced in the last century, but also the beech and the sycamore maple, majestic local species.
A true journey into natural heritage and forest memory, to be experienced outdoors!
Practical :
- Dates and times Sunday, September 21: 14:30 p.m. - 16:00 p.m.
- Price: Free
- Duration: 2:30
ℹ️ Conditions: No reservation required – open to all. Please wear walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.
Location :
Departure: Place Stanislas, 88600 Bruyères, Vosges, Grand Est, France
Discover the history of the Oratory of the Ferme des Anges - Bruyères
Dedicated to Our Lady, this modest building replaced a larger chapel called “the Chapel of the Sands”, which has now disappeared.
It is due to the generosity of the Jeaugeon-Lavaux family, ennobled in 1722 by the Duke of Lorraine, two members of this family were attorneys for the bailiwick of Bruyères, which included 51 communes.
Departures are scheduled approximately every 30 minutes.
Practical :
- Dates and times:
- Saturday, September 20: 14:30 p.m. - 17:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 21: 14:30 p.m. - 17:30 p.m.
Price: Free
- Duration: About 30 minutes
ℹ️ Conditions: No reservation required – open to all. Please wear walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.
Location :
Parking nearby. GPS coordinates: 48.221772, 6.722477
Discovery of a castle built by the Dukes of Lorraine
Built by the Dukes of Lorraine in the 10th century, the castle quickly established itself as the protector of the chapter of Remiremont. Today, only the keep and chapel remain visible. Destroyed by fire in 1715, it remains a major witness to regional history.
Members of the association Roots of Heather and its region will introduce you to this site, usually inaccessible to the public because it is located on private property.
Practical :
- Dates and times:
- Saturday, September 20: 14:30 p.m. - 16:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 21: 14:30 p.m. - 16:30 p.m.
Price: Free
- Duration: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
ℹ️ Conditions: No reservation required – open to all. Please wear walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.
Location :
Place Varin Doron – Heathers
Discovery of the Romanesque Church of Champ-le-Duc
Classified among the jewels of the Vosges religious heritage, theChurch of the Assumption of Our Lady Champ-le-Duc is a remarkable example of Romanesque art.
Built in Vosges sandstone in the 12th century (or even as early as the 11th century according to some hypotheses), it was built on the remains of an older Carolingian building.
This building belongs to the family of Romanesque churches of the Rhine school, alongside Notre-Dame de Saint-Dié, Relanges and Vomécourt-sur-Madon. Its sober and powerful architecture tells the story of centuries of history and evolution: in the 18th century, the Chapter of Remiremont brought several transformations to it.
The interior contains a exceptional furniture protected under the Historic Monuments:
un organ attributed to Nicolas Dupont, dated 1781,
un altar tomb,
un refined tabernacle,
as well as superb baptismal font.
Practical :
- Dates and times:
- Saturday 20 September:
- 10:30
14:30
- Saturday 20 September:
Price: €4/person, Free for under-18s and students (upon presentation of proof)
- Duration: About 30 minutes
ℹ️ Conditions: Reservation strongly recommended – all audiences.
Provide walking shoes and clothing adapted to the weather.
Location :
Discover all the JEP [European Heritage Days] visit sites below, or come and collect the program from the Bruyères Vallons des Vosges Tourist Office [available from September 8].
