A walk along the quais in Sallanches makes for a perfect buggy walk or stroll with a toddler on a draisienne (see MBFF post Sallanches springtime family stroll for a possible route).  All is very compact in the centre of Sallanches – so you can take in two playgrounds, Le Centre de la Nature Montagnarde, la Médiathèque Ange Abrate, a visit to the Tourist Office, some history, flowers, lovely independent bookshops and some riverside cafés and restaurants, all in one morning or afternoon visit (as long as you check the opening hours!).

Springtime flowers & châtaignes

A walk along the quais in Sallanches when the châtaignes (chestnut trees) are in bloom is lovely, as the trees form a tapestry above one’s head, providing plenty of shade . . . the bridges across the Sallanche river are also adorned with flowers, making the walk even prettier!

Les châtaignes in bloom in Sallanches © montblancfamilyfun.com

Les châtaignes in bloom in Sallanches © montblancfamilyfun.com

Les châtaignes in bloom in Sallanches © montblancfamilyfun.com

Les châtaignes in bloom in Sallanches © montblancfamilyfun.com

Cafés & restaurants along the quais

You are absolutely spoiled for choice when it comes to restaurants and cafés along the quais in Sallanches!  Starting from La Place Saint-Jacques and heading down to the playground near the Mairie, you have: Chez Vez (officially called the Saint-Jacques, and affectionately referred to as Chez Vez, this is an institution in Sallanches, with comfortable chairs and summer concerts); A Table restaurant; L’Espace restaurant and bar; Le Blaireau qui Brasse bar and restaurant (known for its home-brewed beer and great burgers); Khue Dahn (Vietnamese cuisine, lovely) and L’M l’Atelier (great, locally-sourced food and the site of the summer event Ce soir on ferme la Rue).  All of these restaurants and cafés open summer terraces, which are perfect for lunch, apéros or an evening meal.

© Le Blaireau qui Brasse

© Le Saint-Jacques

Down by the river . . .

There are various access points down to the riverside in Sallanches, the perfect place to have an evening picnic after a hot summer’s day.  *NB – do take due care down by the water with small children!*

There is a little crêpe stall right by the river (open during the summer months) . . .

Sushi picnic next to the Sallanche river © montblancfamilyfun.com

Sushi picnic next to the Sallanche river © montblancfamilyfun.com

Sallanches Saturday Market

A trip to Sallanches’s Saturday morning market (which is bustling and lovely) is one way to experience the joys of the riverside; but then you do also have to share it with all the market stalls and market-goers (not so easy on a draisienne!).

A quieter visit would be on a weekday or Sunday . . .

Events & festivals along the quais

All year-round, there are festivals and events for families and children in the centre of Sallanches and often up and down the quais . . . during the summer months, we are spoiled for choice:

• «La Fête de la Musique» – this nationwide amateur music festival (21st July) is particularly lovely to experience along the quais in Sallanches (you can bar-hop!) / this year, we found ourselves down by the river, with the children throwing pebbles and building a dam! (we had filthy children by the end of the evening, but they had so much fun!);

• «Exposition Montagn’Arts» – 23rd June to 31st August – two talented photographers are currently gracing les quais de la Sallanche: David Machet and Daniel Rodrigues – mountain summits and animals . . . / FREE!

• «Ce Soir on Ferme la Rue» – every first Thursday of the summer, with a different musical flavour each month, la rue Berthollet in Sallanches (next to L’M l’Atelier) shuts to traffic, to allow for dancing! / FB page;

• «Les F’estivales de Sallanches»: Festivités de la Saint-Jacques – from Friday 27th July to 1st August – La Saint-Jacques is the patron saint of Sallanches, and the town celebrates with: retraite et illuminations aux flambeaux, fête foraine and other animations! / a huge funfair is set up in Sallanches for five days, next to the quais on the Pré de Foire, lots of FUN! 

• «Les Enfants d’Abord» children’s festival – this year from the 7th to 10th August / over 4 days, the quais and the centre of town in Sallanches are dedicated to children: workshops, games, spectacles! / this festival is really special and a fabulous initiative from Sallanches and all of the shop-owners and volunteers involved, and it has now been running for 23 years! / there are workshops galore, adventure games, nature games, dance, circus acts, magic, music, bouncy castles and a different spectacle each evening / themes this year: tac’inette is the owl mascot that guides children through the five different themed sections / the fun is from 15h30 to 18h30 each day / see here for programme;