Gérardmer Daffodil Festival

The Daffodil Festival: A Vosges Heritage Since 1935

It all began in 1934 when members of the Gérardmer motorcycle club, returning from a ride in the surrounding meadows, had the idea to completely decorate their motorcycles with wild daffodils. Their arrival in town generated such popular enthusiasm that, as early as April 22, 1935, the first Daffodil Festival was officially organized, already drawing thousands of curious onlookers. Since then, this biennial tradition has continued to grow, becoming one of the most emblematic events in Lorraine and the entire Grand Est region.

A Floral Parade Unique in the World

The highlight of the festival is the Grand Sunday Parade, a procession of twenty-five monumental floats entirely covered in daffodils freshly picked from the Vosges meadows. These extraordinary creations are the result of several months of work by hundreds of volunteers, who design the structures before decorating them during the famous Nuit du Piquage (Piquage Night). Millions of flowers are meticulously placed one by one onto the floats, in a festive and warm atmosphere where locals and visitors alike lend a hand.

Nuit du Piquage: An Unforgettable Moment of Sharing

The evening before the parade, starting at 6:30 PM, three decorating sites open their doors to the public for free. This is a unique opportunity to admire the immense work of the builders and participate in the floral decoration of the floats. The atmosphere is magical: between the intoxicating scent of daffodils, music, and conviviality, the Nuit du Piquage has become an unmissable event, as popular as the parade itself.

Three Days of Grand Festivities

The Daffodil Festival unfolds over a full weekend. On Friday evening, the official inauguration kicks off the festivities with concerts and shows on the main stage. On Saturday, the "Daffodils in Parade" program offers a show of over two hours on the Carré Or, featuring national and international musical groups. On Sunday, the floats are displayed from 10 AM along the two-kilometer route, before the parade starts at 2:30 PM, accompanied by over 900 musicians, bands, majorettes, and entertainers.

A Popular Event Rooted in its Territory

Supported by the Société des Fêtes de Gérardmer and hundreds of passionate volunteers, the Daffodil Festival attracts nearly 40,000 visitors for each edition. It embodies the Vosges identity, the link between humans and the mountain environment, and the pride of artisanal know-how passed down through generations. The daffodil, a symbol of spring renewal, transforms Gérardmer into a true open-air garden of gold.