Cascade de Retournemer

Cascade de Retournemer is a small waterfall in the Vosges mountains, right where Lake Retournemer drains, in the commune of Xonrupt-Longemer in the Vosges department (Grand Est region, France). The waterfall carries the Vologne river as it leaves the lake and steps down a rocky ledge before continuing through the valley toward Gérardmer.

Where exactly is the waterfall located?

Cascade de Retournemer sits in the heart of the Vosges massif, in the belt of glacial lakes and valleys between Gérardmer and the Col de la Schlucht pass. Lake Retournemer itself, right at the head of the waterfall, was carved out by glacial action during the Würm glaciation — its basin sits at roughly 736 meters above sea level, closed off on the downstream side by a granite bar (a "verrou" or glacial threshold) that today acts as a natural dam. Upstream of the lake, remnants of glacial meltwater channels are visible too — smooth potholes in the rock still filled with pebbles, evidence of powerful subglacial currents from that period.

What does the waterfall actually look like?

It's a modest but scenic cascade — water drops gently over a few meters of rock steps softened by moss. The setting is intimate rather than dramatic, quite different from the taller, more forceful waterfalls found elsewhere in the Vosges. It works better as a stop along a walk than as a standalone destination, but it fits naturally into the surrounding lake-and-forest scenery.

Cascade de Retournemer vs. Cascade Charlemagne — easy to mix up

About 600 meters further upstream sits a second waterfall, Cascade Charlemagne, made up of several smaller successive drops. It's a distinct feature, and visitors regularly confuse the two — worth keeping in mind when reading trail descriptions, since many routes loop past both falls in a single walk.

How do you get there, and what are the trail options?

The waterfall is just a few minutes' walk from the shore of Lake Retournemer, with the path passing through an old disused railway tunnel along the way. That makes the approach easy and manageable even for visitors not looking for a demanding mountain hike.

For those wanting to see more of the area, longer options exist: a loop of around 4.8 km near Xonrupt-Longemer, rated as a moderate walk taking roughly two hours, and an easier, longer route of about 8 km that links Cascade de Retournemer with Cascade Charlemagne and nearby viewpoints, including the distinctive rock formation known as Roche du Diable.

Frequently asked questions

Is Cascade de Retournemer a large waterfall? No — it's a small cascade only a few meters high, modest compared to the bigger waterfalls of the Vosges. Its appeal comes from the scenic lakeside setting rather than the height of the drop.

How long does it take to walk from the lake to the waterfall? Local trail descriptions put the walk at around five minutes, partly through an old railway tunnel.

Is Cascade de Retournemer the same as Cascade Charlemagne? No, they're two separate waterfalls on the same river. Cascade Charlemagne lies about 600 meters upstream and consists of several smaller successive drops rather than a single fall.

Which commune is the waterfall in? Cascade de Retournemer administratively belongs to the commune of Xonrupt-Longemer, in the Vosges department.

Is the walk suitable for families with children? The short stretch from the lake to the waterfall is easy and manageable for most visitors; the longer loops connecting both cascades call for a bit more fitness and time.