Vosges

Mountain range in eastern France near the Franco-German frontier between the départements of Haut-Rhin and Vosges, 250 km/155 mi in length and rising to its highest point at the Ballon de Guebwiller (1,422 m/4,667 ft). The Vosges forms the western edge of the Rhine rift valley. It gives its name to the département of Vosges. The Vosges is separated from the Jura Mountains to the south by the Belfort Gap.

Features The Vosges is densely wooded; rivers flow down its slopes to the Rhine and to the central plateau of France. Skiing and climbing attract tourists to such resorts as Le Bonhomme, La Bresse, St Maurice-sur-Moselle, and Gerardmer. There are vineyeards on the east-facing slopes.

Vosges

Département in the Lorraine region of northeast France; area 7,424 sq km/2,866 sq mi; population (1999 est) 381,000. It is bordered on the east by the Vosges mountains. The rivers Moselle and Meuse have the largest drainage areas of any rivers in the region. Oats, wheat, and vines are cultivated, and cheese-making and cattle-grazing are important economic activities. Textile goods are the chief manufactures. The principal towns are Epinal (the capital), St-Dié, Remiremont, and Neufchâteau.