📷 Photo by Matthias Mullie on UnsplashGrand Ballon
Geishouse, France
At 1,424 m the highest point of the Vosges, a short walk from the road. On clear autumn mornings you see over the Rhine plain and the Black Forest to the Alps.
At 1,424 m, the Grand Ballon (Great Belchen) is the highest summit in the Vosges. On top stand the "Diables Bleus" memorial, which the Club Alpin Français and the Club Vosgien put up for the mountain infantry killed in the First World War, and a civil aviation radar housed in a dome, built in 1997 to a design by Claude Vasconi. An orientation table below the dome offers wide views.
In summer you can drive up via Guebwiller, Wattwiller, or Willer-sur-Thur and Goldbach; in winter only via Willer-sur-Thur and Goldbach, when winter equipment is compulsory and the Route des Crêtes from the Col de la Schlucht is closed (as of October 2026). Several walking trails lead to the summit. On a clear day, for example on an autumn morning, the view is especially rewarding.
- Nearest town
- Geishouse, France
- Category
- Scenic viewpoints
- GPS
- 47.9014, 7.0980
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Le Vert VallonCampsite6 km from Grand BallonTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsDogs allowed
- Camping du SchlossbergCampsite12 km from Grand BallonTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping Municipal Benelux-BâleCampsite12 km from Grand Ballon · 157 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping Les Amis de la NatureCampsite14 km from Grand BallonTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping de MasevauxCampsite16 km from Grand BallonTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping Les CastorsCampsite17 km from Grand Ballon · 103 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
All campsites in France · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Grand Ballon?
Grand Ballon is in Geishouse, France, at GPS 47.9014, 7.0980. It is about 10 km from Thann.
Can you camp near Grand Ballon?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Natur'camp, about 4 km away; within 25 km there are 89 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Grand Ballon?
Grand Ballon is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Route des Crêtes through the Vosges and Riesling, half-timbering and high pastures – by camper along the Alsace Wine Route and the Route des Crêtes.
What is there to see near Grand Ballon?
Places worth a stop nearby: Hartmannswillerkopf (6 km), Hohneck (16 km), Ballon d’Alsace (21 km) and Eguisheim (22 km).
When is the best time to visit Grand Ballon?
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)