Fête du Géranium de Remiremont

The Fête du Géranium: Remiremont's Flowery Spring

Nestled at the confluence of the Moselle and Moselotte rivers, at the foot of the Vosges mountains, Remiremont has been renowned for its floral beauty for decades. Nicknamed the "Belle des Vosges" (Beauty of the Vosges) or the "Coquette des Vosges" (Coquettish Beauty of the Vosges), the town has made the geranium the living symbol of its floral identity. Every spring, the Fête du Géranium celebrates this tradition by transforming the historic center into a true open-air garden, where the vibrant colors of pelargoniums mingle with the golden stones of the arcades and abbatial residences.

A Remarkable Horticultural Heritage

The history of Remiremont's floral displays dates back to 1960, the year the first municipal gardener was hired. In 1964, the first municipal greenhouses were established, and since then, the town has continuously developed its plant heritage. Awarded the "Ville Fleurie" label since 1992, Remiremont received its first flower that year, then its second in 1993, and its third in 1996. The municipal greenhouses, located on rue Suchet, produce thousands of geraniums and flowering plants each year that adorn the town's public spaces, bridges, fountains, and heritage buildings.

A Grand Flower and Plant Market

The heart of the festival beats around a vast flower market set up on the Place de l'Abbaye and in the adjacent streets. Horticulturists, nursery owners, and local producers present an extraordinary diversity of geraniums: zonal, ivy-leaved, scented, large-flowered, botanical, or rare varieties. Visitors can discover old varieties preserved by Vosges enthusiasts, vegetable plants for the garden, and floral arrangements created by the region's best artisans.

The Flowering Balconies and Facades Competition

A highlight of the event, the floral design competition rewards the most beautiful balconies, windows, and facades in Remiremont. Divided into several categories—houses with gardens, balconies and terraces, apartment buildings, shops, and restaurants—this competition encourages residents to compete in creativity to enhance their living environment. A jury of landscape professionals and elected officials tours the town to award prizes and diplomas to the most beautiful creations.

Workshops, Activities, and Conviviality

The Fête du Géranium also offers gardening workshops for all ages: repotting, cuttings, planter arrangements, and maintenance tips provided by municipal gardeners. Musical entertainment and floral art demonstrations punctuate the day, while a gourmet area allows visitors to taste local Vosges products—red fruit jams, mountain honey, farmhouse Munster cheese, and craft beers—in a warm and family-friendly atmosphere.