Running in Épinal: the city of images
- audreyubertino
- Oct 6
- 3 min read
Located on the banks of the Moselle River, the town of Épinal enjoys a privileged location in the heart of Europe, at the crossroads of Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland. While the town owes its fame to the famous Imagerie d'Épinal, this Lorraine town also boasts a thousand years of history and a rich and unusual heritage. Furthermore, thanks to its numerous sports facilities, Épinal has been awarded the Terre de Jeux 2024 label and will serve as a preparation centre for the Olympic Games. Thanks to the JOOKS app, come and discover the city of images on foot or by bike with the three audio-guided tours offered by the city!
A thousand-year-old city, the prefecture of the Vosges is the department's leading economic and commercial hub. As such, it plays a key role at regional level within the Sillon Lorrain, the result of more than 15 years of collaboration with the urban areas of Thionville, Nancy and Metz.
The fourth largest city in Lorraine, Épinal prides itself on being a city steeped in history and a city of the future. It highlights its rich culture and heritage, as well as its exceptional natural environment and dynamism.
Historical heritage
The historic district of the city stretches along the right bank of the Moselle River. Its history began with a castle built in the 10th century, as well as a monastery and a church. Épinal grew from a village into a town and passed into the hands of the Dukes of Lorraine before becoming part of France. Traces of this rich historical past can be found throughout the city's streets, taking you on a journey through the centuries.
During your walk, you will arrive at the foot of the imposing Saint-Maurice Basilica, listed as a historic monument since 1846. Step inside this magnificent building, which combines Romanesque and Gothic styles, to admire the superb statues, paintings and reliquaries. Don't miss the Place des Vosges with its beautiful arcades, once reserved for merchants, the Musée du Chapitre, located on the remains of the medieval ramparts, or the covered market.
Your walk will also take you to some rather unusual buildings for the region. First, there is the Chinese Tower, which was built during the reign of Napoleon I by a wealthy citizen of Épinal to conceal the stairs connecting his residence to his private gardens. Another curiosity in the town is the Roman house, which was built at the end of the 19th century. This replica of a villa in Pompeii was commissioned by a wealthy heiress who, unfortunately, never saw her project completed as she was ruined.
The imagery of Épinal
When we talk about Épinal, the first thing that comes to mind is images. Indeed, these brightly coloured prints with popular subjects were hugely successful in the 18th and 19th centuries and have become a symbol of the town's living heritage. Founded in 1796 by Jean-Charles Pellerin, the Imagerie d'Épinal was originally a printing house producing playing cards and religious images. Gradually moving away from religious prints, the Imagerie turned to producing plates illustrating popular events and became what we now know as newspapers and magazines.
L’Imagerie is still in operation today and you can visit its old workshops. A visit to the Musée de l’Image, located right next door, is also a must. It houses an impressive collection of over 110,000 popular French and foreign images, dating from the 17th century to the present day.
Terre de Jeux (Land of Games)
Voted ‘France's most athletic city’ in 1991, Épinal has remained true to its title. With more than fifty sports facilities, nearly 80 disciplines and around a hundred sports associations and clubs, the city is a real sporting hub. It is therefore no surprise that it was awarded the ‘Terre de Jeux 2024’ label during the last Olympic Games.
This certification has enabled it to welcome foreign sports delegations, but it also puts the spotlight on the region. Thanks to the Terre de Jeux trail, you can discover the six facilities that were included in the official list of Games Preparation Centres.
Run, walk or cycle with JOOKS, from the Basilica of Saint Maurice to the Image Museum!
Find all the routes in the town of Épinal and more than 1,500 others on the JOOKS app.
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Running through Épinal, the city of images, combines fitness with scenic exploration. A reliable cold weather jacket ensures you stay warm and protected from the elements, making outdoor runs enjoyable while maintaining style and comfort.