The Croix de Tirpoix, the Église Saint-Laurent and two hikes give a stay in Dommartin-Lès-Remiremont a range of different focuses: local tradition, sacred art and routes to viewpoints. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay shaped by culture and scenery, these destinations can help guide your choice of activities. The annual Foire aux pieds de cochons, held in August, is another event to consider.
Local tradition at the Croix de Tirpoix
Two scallop shells flank a pilgrim's staff on the shaft of the Croix de Tirpoix. According to local tradition, Jehan Grossir had the cross erected in 1752 in memory of his brother Jacques. He is said to have died near his home while returning from a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. The story connects the monument with a pilgrimage and the remembrance of a family member, but is told as a local tradition.
The directions to the cross are also specific: use the riding farm at Les Granges de Franould as your landmark. At the turnoff to the farm, continue uphill to the right; the cross stands on the left a few metres beyond the forest entrance. This lets you combine your visit with a closer look at the monument's details, rather than treating it simply as a quick photo stop.
Church and Maison du Patrimoine
The Église Saint-Laurent houses a high altar, altarpiece and tabernacle in the Louis XV style. The ensemble dates from the 18th century. The church also has a large organ, built by the Géhin brothers in 1874 and considered the best-preserved instrument in their entire body of work. Its case is made of Vosges fir and features a Neo-Gothic design. The altar ensemble and the organ thus reflect different styles and historical associations within the same church.
The Maison du Patrimoine offers a different way to explore local and regional history. One room is devoted to local history and includes archaeological remains and evidence of the region's past. Another focuses on religious art and local spiritual practices; a third room hosts temporary exhibitions. Visitors who want to explore both historical evidence and sacred art during their stay will find topics here that complement the church art, while each place tells a different story.
Compare hikes and routes
La Vierge du Mai is 5.7 kilometres long, has 223 metres of elevation gain and takes about one hour and 45 minutes. It starts at the car park in front of the town hall and leads to a viewpoint overlooking the valley. La Brasserie is a similar length, at 5.9 kilometres with 220 metres of elevation gain; it takes about two hours and is marked with red rings. It includes an out-and-back route to a viewpoint at the Roche; the circular trail also passes the ruins of the former Villemard farm.
The two routes are similar in length and elevation gain, while their stated walking times differ by about a quarter of an hour. Their described destinations offer different highlights: La Vierge du Mai focuses on views across the valley, while La Brasserie combines the viewpoint at the Roche with the site of a former farm. Route details may be updated on site, so check them before setting out.
At Dommartin-Lès-Remiremont, the Voie Verte des Hautes Vosges branches into two paved routes for a range of activities. Both follow the course of former railway lines. You can use the Voie Verte to reach the starting points of the La Brasserie and La Vierge du Mai hikes. A section of the Voie Verte des Hautes-Vosges, about three kilometres long, runs between Remiremont and Dommartin-Lès-Remiremont as far as a junction between two valleys. Mountain biking trails are also part of the leisure options in Dommartin-Lès-Remiremont.
An annual event in August
Every August, Dommartin-Lès-Remiremont holds the traditional Foire aux pieds de cochons, which has taken place there since 1983. If this festival is relevant to your trip, August is the time to consider when planning. Alongside the heritage and hiking options, this gives you the choice between a stay focused on sights and trails and a trip that also takes in the date of the local festival.
Discover more destinations: Herpelmont, Raon-L'étape, Vittel, Jeuxey, Denipaire, Basse-Sur-Le-Rupt, Coussey, Ainvelle
For the main travel overview: Vosges.
