epinal guidebook
DESCRIPTION
Guidebook of Epinal in EnglishTRANSCRIPT
-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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Discover Epinal
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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ROCHEREAU Robin - BALLONGUE Baptiste - IUT Hubert Curien 5
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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Discover Epinal
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
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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.
Historical Monuments
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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.
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Historical Monuments
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 .
Historical Monuments
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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 .€
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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
ROCHEREAU Robin - BALLONGUE Baptiste - IUT Hubert Curien 17
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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Discover Epinal