Vit Tel Ta Nature

Vittel found fame in the 19th century as a thermal spa town, following in the successful footsteps of its neighbour Contrexéville. Both towns are still fine places to soak in the mineral-filled waters and treat yourself to treatments, and both are easily reached with a five-minute drive. Having cleansed your body, perhaps it’s time to give your mind some food for thought with a trip to Épinal (45 minutes' drive) to muse on 30,000 pieces of art at Musée Départemental d’Art Ancien et Contemporain and the printworks at Musée de l’Image. There’s also a splendid château here (with animal park, vineyard and medieval gardens), and a pretty collection of colourful houses in the old town. If les enfants aren’t into all this, perhaps take them to the bowling alley in Contrexéville or watch their eyes grow wide at the sights of the sweet factory in Darney (25 minutes). Proper adrenaline rushes can be had on the rides at Fraispertuis City theme park (an hour’s drive) – the park’s Timber Drop ride was once the steepest rollercoaster on the planet.