Plainfaing

Plainfaing is a commune in the Vosges department in Grand Est in northeastern France.

Geography
The commune is positioned in the east of the department, at the foot of the 949 meter high Bonhomme Pass (Col du Bonhomme), between Saint-Dié-des-Vosges (17 km) to the west and Colmar (41 km) in neighbouring Alsace to the east. The river Meurthe rises in the nearby commune of Le Valtin and crosses Plainfaing from the south, and is joined by the stream from the Chaume valley. A designated natural reserve of half a square kilometre is shared between Valtin and Plainfaing, and includes the peaks of the Tanet and the Gazon du Faing.

Economy
Plainfaing is the headquarters of the Confiserie des Hautes-Vosges, an artisanal company taken over by the Claudepierre family in 1986 and specializing in the production of nearly 35 types of candies made from natural flavors or essential oils. The company produces an average of 250 tons of candy per year. Guided tours of the workshops are offered to visitors. The confectionery welcomed nearly 180,000 visitors in 2010.

Born in Plainfaing

 * Raymond Ruyer, philosopher