Tradition attributes the founding of the town of Gerardmer to Gerard d'Alsace, Duke of Lorraine from 1048 to 1070. He would have established a defense tower on the banks of the Jamagne, hence the name Gerardmer (from meix, “champ”, and Gerard). The lake which adjoins the city covers 385 acres (155 ha). A landscaped path goes around it for 7 km. In 1962, a tightrope walker named Rudy Omankowsky achieved the feat of crossing Gérardmer Lake. He was blindfolded on a cable 4,100 ft long (1 250 m) and up to 650 ft high (200 m) and won the world champion title.