Farmhouse Inns

Pastoralism in the Vosges began in the 9th century, when farmers drove their herds up to the mountain ridges to graze and free up the lowland meadows. These farmers, known as “marcaires” (from the Alsatian word “malker”, meaning “one who milks cows”), made cheese in “marcairies” (cheese dairies). A LITTLE HISTORY… Farmhouse inns With the creation of the Club Vosgien in 1872 and improved access, the marcaires began to welcome hikers and offer them farm produce. This activity declined with industrialisation and the world wars. After the Second World War, the democratisation of the motor car and the return to green tourism revived farm inns, which were modernised to accommodate visitors. They allow city dwellers to discover nature while supporting the farmers’ agricultural activity.