Epinal Guidebook

-Historical places

-Culture and sport

- practical life

English versionEnglish versionEnglish version

2 ROCHEREAU Robin - BALLONGUE Baptiste - IUT Hubert Curien

Discover Epinal

Discover Epinal

ROCHEREAU Robin - BALLONGUE Baptiste - IUT Hubert Curien 3

Geographical Situation Geographical Situation

Brief History of the City Brief History of the City

Epinal’s Pictures Epinal’s Pictures

SaintSaint--Maurice Basilica Maurice Basilica

Epinal’s CastleEpinal’s Castle

The DowntownThe Downtown

CultureCulture

SportSport

AccommodationAccommodation

TransportationTransportation

Interesting Links and PlacesInteresting Links and Places

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Epinal is located in the Epinal is located in the

northwest of France, it northwest of France, it

is the most important is the most important

and largest city in the and largest city in the

Vosges with 32.000 in-Vosges with 32.000 in-

habitants. habitants.

The Vosges is a The Vosges is a

very nice region very nice region

of France, with of France, with

many forests. many forests.

You can found You can found

snowy moun-snowy moun-

tains on the east side and large plains on the west, tains on the east side and large plains on the west,

Epinal is located just in the middle of the area.Epinal is located just in the middle of the area.

The river Moselle crosses The river Moselle crosses

the city. There are some the city. There are some

hills around the town. hills around the town.

The other major cities in The other major cities in

the area are Nancy, Bel-the area are Nancy, Bel-

fort or Mulhouse.fort or Mulhouse.

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Epinal was founded Epinal was founded

in the Xth century in the Xth century

with the construc-with the construc-

tion of a castle and tion of a castle and

a monastery by the a monastery by the

bishop of Metz who bishop of Metz who

wanted to develop wanted to develop

the area . the area .

In 1466 Epinal belonged to the Duchy of Lor-In 1466 Epinal belonged to the Duchy of Lor-

raine. It counted 6000 inhabitants, more than raine. It counted 6000 inhabitants, more than

Nancy. In the XVth and Nancy. In the XVth and

XVIth centuries, wars XVIth centuries, wars

occurred between the occurred between the

Kingdom of France and Kingdom of France and

the Duchy of Lorraine. the Duchy of Lorraine.

And because of a big ep-And because of a big ep-

iiddeemmiicc ooff ppllaagguuee tthhee

population fell to 500 population fell to 500

and Epinal was described as the most miserable and Epinal was described as the most miserable

city over the kingdom. In 1670 Epinal is definite-city over the kingdom. In 1670 Epinal is definite-

ly incorporated into France. ly incorporated into France.


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In 1790, during the French Revolution, the In 1790, during the French Revolution, the

French departments were created and it was de-French departments were created and it was de-

cided that Epinal became the prefecture of cided that Epinal became the prefecture of

Vosges instead of Mirecourt.Vosges instead of Mirecourt.

Epinal was a pioneer city. A library opened in Epinal was a pioneer city. A library opened in

1825, and the railway station was inaugurated in 1825, and the railway station was inaugurated in

1857 by Napoleon III. One of the first suspension 1857 by Napoleon III. One of the first suspension

bridge in France, Sadi Carnot bridge had been bridge in France, Sadi Carnot bridge had been

built in Epinal.built in Epinal.

After the defeat of France in the war versus Ger-After the defeat of France in the war versus Ger-

many in 1871, Epinal many in 1871, Epinal

has boomed due to has boomed due to

the repatriation of the repatriation of

the textile, spinning the textile, spinning

and weaving indus-and weaving indus-

tries from Alsace, who was occupied by Germa-tries from Alsace, who was occupied by Germa-

ny. Many military ny. Many military

barracks were in-barracks were in-

stalled in Epinal too stalled in Epinal too

because of the near-because of the near-

by borders. by borders.

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In 1903 an electrical In 1903 an electrical

tramway network tramway network

had been built in had been built in

Epinal, it was very Epinal, it was very

modern for its time.modern for its time.

But during the war But during the war

14/18 the traffic has been stopped. After the vic-14/18 the traffic has been stopped. After the vic-

tory of France, the tramway has not been re-tory of France, the tramway has not been re-

started, due to the expensive rehabilitation.started, due to the expensive rehabilitation.

During the 2nd World War the city has been oc-During the 2nd World War the city has been oc-

cupied by German troops from 1940 to 1944. cupied by German troops from 1940 to 1944.

And the biggest Moselle’s floss happened in And the biggest Moselle’s floss happened in

1948.1948.

In 1946 General de Gaulle gave a speech about In 1946 General de Gaulle gave a speech about

the Constitution of the Fifth Republic in Epinal.the Constitution of the Fifth Republic in Epinal.

Famous people from Epinal : Famous people from Epinal :

--Segolene Royal : politician, studied at EpinalSegolene Royal : politician, studied at Epinal

--Valerie Donzeli : actress, born in EpinalValerie Donzeli : actress, born in Epinal

--Aurore Mongel : swimmer, born in EpinalAurore Mongel : swimmer, born in Epinal

--Maxime Mermoz : rugbyman, born in EpinalMaxime Mermoz : rugbyman, born in Epinal


Historical Monuments

Epinal’s Pictures (also known as ‘’images d’Epi-Epinal’s Pictures (also known as ‘’images d’Epi-

nal’’) are naive printmaking with bright colours.nal’’) are naive printmaking with bright colours.

Their creator is Charles Their creator is Charles

Pellerin who founded a Pellerin who founded a

printingprinting--house in Epinal house in Epinal

in 1796 . The subjects were in 1796 . The subjects were

about religion, history, ar-about religion, history, ar-

my or extracted from fa-my or extracted from fa-

mous stories. They were mous stories. They were

very popular among the very popular among the

XIXth century in the illit-XIXth century in the illit-

erate and rustic population . The riddles were a erate and rustic population . The riddles were a

great success : an object hidden in a picture had great success : an object hidden in a picture had

to be found. Some educational books used those to be found. Some educational books used those

pictures as illustrations too. Epinal’s printings pictures as illustrations too. Epinal’s printings

have also made comics popular in society.have also made comics popular in society.

Today Epinal’s Today Epinal’s

pictures still pictures still

exist but with exist but with

designs by designs by

contemporary contemporary

artists.artists.



Located in the centre of Epinal, the main reli-Located in the centre of Epinal, the main reli-

gious place of gious place of

Epinal has been Epinal has been

built between built between

the XIth and the the XIth and the

XIIIth centuries, XIIIth centuries,

in place of a in place of a

former church former church

made of wood. made of wood.

It’s one the It’s one the

prime example prime example

of Gothic architecture in Lorraine. The basilica of Gothic architecture in Lorraine. The basilica

is a listed historical monument since 1846. A fa-is a listed historical monument since 1846. A fa-

mous painting from Nicolas Bellot is exposed in mous painting from Nicolas Bellot is exposed in

the Basilica (you can see it on page two).the Basilica (you can see it on page two).

Epinal has other mi-Epinal has other mi-

nor churches, built in nor churches, built in

the XVIIIth century, the XVIIIth century,

and also a synagogue and also a synagogue

a Protestant church a Protestant church

and a mosque that has and a mosque that has

opened in 2012.opened in 2012.



The first Epinal’s Castle has been built in the Xth The first Epinal’s Castle has been built in the Xth

century, the second one in the XIIIth. It’s the century, the second one in the XIIIth. It’s the

highest point highest point

of the city. It of the city. It

was destroyed was destroyed

in 1670 during in 1670 during

the annexation the annexation

by France. by France.

In 1804 Chris-In 1804 Chris-

tophe Doublat, deputy and chief of the General tophe Doublat, deputy and chief of the General

Council oft he Vosges, Council oft he Vosges,

bought the castle ruins bought the castle ruins

and created a British and created a British

garden of 20 hectares garden of 20 hectares

square and many build-square and many build-

ings like a Chinese tow-ings like a Chinese tow-

er., which is going to be er., which is going to be

rehabilitated.rehabilitated.

In 1890 the municipality acquired the property In 1890 the municipality acquired the property

and the garden became a public park with vines and the garden became a public park with vines

and a small zoo. The castle park is open all year, and a small zoo. The castle park is open all year,

but access to the castle is forbidden . but access to the castle is forbidden .



Epinal’s downtown is divided into two parts by Epinal’s downtown is divided into two parts by

the Moselle. On the right bank it’s the historic the Moselle. On the right bank it’s the historic

center with center with

the basilica, the basilica,

the town hall, the town hall,

the prefecture, the prefecture,

the covered the covered h

market, the market, the

imageire and imageire and

the Place des the Place des

Vosges, historical heritage listed. It’s animated Vosges, historical heritage listed. It’s animated

throughout the year. throughout the year.

On the left side, it’s the modern side of the city On the left side, it’s the modern side of the city

with many shops, the museum of art and the with many shops, the museum of art and the

railway station. The emblematic place is the railway station. The emblematic place is the

place of the place of the

four nations. four nations.

It’s the only It’s the only

spot where spot where

all the buses all the buses

stop. stop.


Practical life

There is many places there are many places to There is many places there are many places to

cultivate or entertain in Epinal. cultivate or entertain in Epinal.

The major museums of Epinal is the Prefectural The major museums of Epinal is the Prefectural

Museum of Ancient Museum of Ancient

and Contemporary and Contemporary

Art. It brings to-Art. It brings to-

gether 30,000 piec-gether 30,000 piec-

es of art from all es of art from all

areas, with works of areas, with works of

famous artists like Georges de la Tour, Claude famous artists like Georges de la Tour, Claude

Gelée, Rembrandt and Tony Cragg. An other in-Gelée, Rembrandt and Tony Cragg. An other in-

teresting museum is the “imagerie”, this is the teresting museum is the “imagerie”, this is the

original printing house, where the Epinal’s Pic-original printing house, where the Epinal’s Pic-

tures have been founded, and the original print-tures have been founded, and the original print-

ing house. You can visit the Museum of the ing house. You can visit the Museum of the

chapter, located next to the basilica, if you want chapter, located next to the basilica, if you want

to learn more to learn more

about the history of about the history of

the city. There is the city. There is

too a contemporary too a contemporary

art place, located art place, located

next to the library.next to the library.

Practical life


Epinal’s library has open in 2009, it is very mod-Epinal’s library has open in 2009, it is very mod-

ern. We can found here a large selection of book, ern. We can found here a large selection of book,

music and movies, music and movies,

there too computers there too computers

with free access. It’s with free access. It’s

the biggest one in the the biggest one in the

Vosges.Vosges.

Near the library, we can find the cinema, it counts Near the library, we can find the cinema, it counts

8 projection rooms with 3D technology. There is 8 projection rooms with 3D technology. There is

too a planetarium with weekly projections.too a planetarium with weekly projections.

There are many festivals and events in Epinal There are many festivals and events in Epinal

throughout the year. In the summer there are throughout the year. In the summer there are

outdoor concerts every week. Every may a literary outdoor concerts every week. Every may a literary

salon dedicated to imaginary stories takes place. salon dedicated to imaginary stories takes place.

In June there is an annual festival of street enter-In June there is an annual festival of street enter-

tainment : dance, theater, circus and music. It is tainment : dance, theater, circus and music. It is

the oldest one in France. Every the oldest one in France. Every

October a festival of humorous October a festival of humorous

theater with international art-theater with international art-

ists takes place. The same ists takes place. The same

month, a modern music festi-month, a modern music festi-

val is organized.val is organized.


Practical life

Epinal is an athletic city. There is many opportu-Epinal is an athletic city. There is many opportu-

nities to practice or see sport.nities to practice or see sport.

You can practice university sport with license of You can practice university sport with license of

15 euros per year. 15 euros per year.

The available sport The available sport

are : swimming, are : swimming,

badminton, escala-badminton, escala-

tion, volleyball and tion, volleyball and

basketball.basketball.

If you like mountain biking, there are 900 km of If you like mountain biking, there are 900 km of

track around Epinal. An Olym-track around Epinal. An Olym-

pic swimming pool a bowling pic swimming pool a bowling

alley and a large modern ice alley and a large modern ice

rink are also open to the public.rink are also open to the public.

Epinal has some highEpinal has some high--

level teams like icelevel teams like ice--

hockey, who is in the first hockey, who is in the first

national division, and the national division, and the

football club, he has a sta-football club, he has a sta-

dium of 6000 seats and a dium of 6000 seats and a

good training center good training center

Practical life


Epinal is a city with very cheap rent and some Epinal is a city with very cheap rent and some

vacant housing, so it’s easy to find an apart-vacant housing, so it’s easy to find an apart-

ment for studies.ment for studies.

The “maison de The “maison de

l’étudiant” manages l’étudiant” manages

four student resi-four student resi-

dences. You could dences. You could

rent a furnished rent a furnished

room for a low price of 168 €, and no troom for a low price of 168 €, and no t axes or axes or

electricity to pay. In those residences there is a electricity to pay. In those residences there is a

WiWi--fi access, washing machine, collectives fi access, washing machine, collectives

kitchens, and workrooms. It’s an advantageous kitchens, and workrooms. It’s an advantageous

solution because it allows you to make meet-solution because it allows you to make meet-

ings between students.ings between students.

The “maison de l’étudiant” The “maison de l’étudiant”

also offers a catering service also offers a catering service

at a great price. There is two at a great price. There is two

university restaurants in university restaurants in

Epinal, the opens just for the Epinal, the opens just for the

lunch. A full meal cost lunch. A full meal cost

3.10 .€3.10 .€


Practical life

A epinal there is an efficient bus network with A epinal there is an efficient bus network with

seven lines serving the whole agglomeration. seven lines serving the whole agglomeration.

Buses oper-Buses oper-

ate from 6 to ate from 6 to

20 hours. 20 hours.

The frequen-The frequen-

cy Monday cy Monday

to Saturday to Saturday

is one bus is one bus

every quar-every quar-

ter of an hour or every half hour according to the ter of an hour or every half hour according to the

lines. On Sunday there is one every two hours. lines. On Sunday there is one every two hours.

The Ticket price is one euro, but a monthly sub-The Ticket price is one euro, but a monthly sub-

scription costs 14.90 €. The lines 5 and 6 have a scription costs 14.90 €. The lines 5 and 6 have a

stop near the IUT.stop near the IUT.

The Epinal Train The Epinal Train

station offers direct station offers direct

links to Paris, Nan-links to Paris, Nan-

cy and other major cy and other major

cities. The nearest cities. The nearest

major airport is major airport is

that of Baselthat of Basel

Practical life


http://www.epinal.fr/http://www.epinal.fr/

http://www.tourismehttp://www.tourisme--epinal.com/epinal.com/

http://www.epinalhttp://www.epinal--touristoffice.com/touristoffice.com/

http://www.imaginelebus.com/http://www.imaginelebus.com/

http://www.terhttp://www.ter--sncf.com/Region/lorraine/sncf.com/Region/lorraine/

gare/epinal.aspxgare/epinal.aspx

http://www.euroairport.com/http://www.euroairport.com/

http://www.etudianthttp://www.etudiant--epinal.comepinal.com

http://www.epinalhttp://www.epinal--sup.fr/sup.fr/

http://www.iuthttp://www.iut--epinal.univepinal.univ--nancy2.frnancy2.fr

The “maison de l’étudiant” at EpinalThe “maison de l’étudiant” at Epinal

The town hall of Epinal The town hall of Epinal

The tourist office of Epinal The tourist office of Epinal


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Epinal Guidebook

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