I thought it might be useful to have at hand in one article some of ☀️ the activities available for families & children 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond) over the ☀️ summertime . . . So, if you reside 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc, or if you are visiting the 🏔 Pays du Mont-Blanc this July or August, here are some (perhaps) fresh ideas – or reminders of great activities – for summer activities, come ☔️ rain or ☀️ shine! [ DISCLAIMER: please ALWAYS check opening hours, wherever you decide to head, as some locations may shut due to ⛈ bad weather or for other unforseen reasons ]

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Colour code for listings

🗻 Pays du Mont-Blanc 🗻 Chamonix Valley (Chamonix, Argentière, Les Houches, Servoz and environs) & Vallorcine 🗻 Passy & environs 🗻 Sallanches, Combloux, Cordon & Domancy 🗻 Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc, Le Fayet, Saint Nicolas de Véroce, Bionnassay & environs 🗻 Megève, Praz-sur-Arly & environs 🗻 Les Contamines-Montjoie & environs 🇫🇷 Further France 🇨🇭 Switzerland 🇮🇹 Italy

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☀️ SUMMER EVENTS !

There are so many events & festivals for families over the summer holidays – far too many to list here ! So DO check the MBFF FB page for updates – I shall do a weekly round-up of what’s ON ! Here are a couple of children’s festivals to put in your diary :

• Les Enfants d’Abord (Sallanches) – from 8th ⇒ 11th August 2023 – a fabulous children’s festival ! / MBFF article;
• Festival Au Bonheur des Mômes (le Grand-Bornand) – from 20th ⇒ 24th August 2023 (31è édition) / website & FB page;

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💦 SUMMER WATER FUN !

At some point during your mountain holidays, I imagine you’ll want to 💦 splash around a bit . . . MBFF has plenty of ☀️ summer-themed water articles !

1. 💦 SUMMER SPLASH au Pays du Mont-Blanc and beyond ⇒ for more information about wibit or water parks, waterslides (ephemeral summer ones and those within parcs aquatiques), parcs aquatiques, family spas, river paddling . . .

During the summer months, our 💦 local lakes au Pays du Mont-Blanc start to get busy with bathers (and 🚣‍♂️ water-sport enthusiasts), and there are several fun events planned too. ⇒ for more information, see separate articles :

• 💦 SWIMMING POOLS & LAKES au Pays du Mont-Blanc;
• 💦 LAKES & WATERSPORTS au Pays du Mont-Blanc;

⇒ for details about lakes further afield (Lac Léman, Lac d’Annecy, Lac du Bourget . . .), see MBFF article 💦 LAKES & WATERSPORTS further afield ]

 We also have some great 💦 swimming pools, some with an outdoor pool, or doors which open out onto large green areas !

⇒ for more information, see separate article : 💦 SWIMMING POOLS & LAKES au Pays du Mont-Blanc

OR

a spa visit en famille

A 💦 thermal bath or spa day can be a lovely way to relax en famille, and you have superb indoor and outdoor (and larger) options in 🇨🇭 Switzerland, just past Martigny, where the whole family will be welcome. In a light drizzle, the outdoor baths would also be fine . . . Here, 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc, we have some smaller options for 💦 thermal baths and spas and children’s soins (Les Thermes de Saint-Gervais, the Balnéoforme in Megève) . . . [ ⇒ see separate MBFF article here, to see where to head with kids for a spa day 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc ! ]

Canyoning & Rafting

💦 Canyoning and rafting are superb activities for older children and families with competent swimmers! 🏔 Au Pays du Mont-Blanc, we have the 💦 Arve river for rafting and other fun water sports. . . And further afield :

• 🇫🇷  Vallée de Giffre – the 💦 Giffre;
• 🇫🇷  Morzine & Montriond – 💦 the Dranse;
• 🇮🇹 Aosta Valley – 💦 Dora Baltea ;

. . . and a few locations for 💦 canyoning: 

• 💦 Canyon de Barberine (Vallorcine) & 💦 La Belle au Bois (Megève);
• 💦 Canyon & Torrents de Balme (Magland) and further afileld the 🇮🇹💦 Canyon de Chalamy in the Aosta Valley;

There are several companies offering rafting & canyoning:

• 💦 Session Raft (Passy & Chamonix) – from 6+ years / stages for teenagers over the summer / see website for more details;
• 💦 Evasion Canyoning – FB page;
• 💦 Oxo Canyoning – mini-canyon offered to children 6+ years / website;
• 💦 Ecolorado – activities for children 7+ years / website; 
• 💦 Nunayak – for descent of the Giffre river and the Gorge des Tines / FB page;
• 💦 local tourist offices also offer white-water rafting and canyoning;

A visit to a 💦 waterfall or gorge can be a great option for a short family walk – it is a sensory experience, with the 💦 water gushing with power! Sometimes, you can even get under the waterfall (if you’re brave enough!). ⇒ for more information about 💦 WATERFALLS & GORGE walks au Pays du Mont-Blanc, wee separate MBFF article here; [ good to know: in adverse weather conditions, the gorges will shut to the public, as the walkways become too slippery ] ⇒ and a little further afield, you have lots more options . . . [ ⇒ see separate MBFF article here, for more information about 💦 WATERFALLS & GORGES further afield ]

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Nature Reserves au Pays du Mont-Blanc

We have 5 🦌 local nature reserves here 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc :

• 🏔 la Réserve Naturelle des Aiguilles Rouges;
• 🏔 la Réserve Naturelle du Vallon de Bérard;
• 🏔 la Réserve Naturelle de Carlaveyron; 
• 🏔 la Réserve Naturelle Nationale de Passy;
• 🏔 la Réserve Naturelle des Contamines-Montjoie;

They offer nature workshops and outdoor events for children and families over the school holidays:

Animations Nature au Pays du Mont-Blanc (Communauté des Communes du Pays du Mont-Blanc)

Check out the rich nature programme 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc here. You’ll also find workshops at the Centre de la Nature Montagnarde and the Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes in Sallanches :

ÉCOMUSÉES – museums that teach about our local nature & patrimoine

🌳 Ecomusées explore nature and customs of yesteryear, and some have some outdoor activities and exhibits, so they generally work better on fine weather days . . . but with fabulous indoor exhibitions, they are still good ☔️ rainy day options! There are several écomusées in and near 🏔 the Pays du Mont-Blanc . . . some of these offer workshops for children over the school holidays. Here are some suggestions :

• Musée Montagnard (Les Houches) – there are always fabulous workshops and visits on offer here over the school holidays / ⇒ see FB page for updates / reservations: +33 (0)7 60 04 14 26;
• La Maison du Lieutenant (Servoz) – lots of artistic and nature-inspired activities over the holidays . . . / ⇒ see FB page for updates;

Further afield, you have some options too : 🌳 La Maison du Salève (Présilly) – a visit to La Maison du Salève makes for a wonderful family day out, preferably on a fair weather day as the gardens are lovely and there are walks to enjoy en famille nearby . . . originally an 18th century farm from the Chartreuse de Pomier, La Ferme de Mikerne has been renovated to host a cultural centre recounting the history of the Salève mountain and it’s environs / MBFF article;

website 

address: 775 route de Mikerne, 74160, Présilly

🌳 Le Hameau des Alpes (La Clusaz) – learn about the rich culture and patrimoine of La Clusaz . . . learn about how skiing has evolved, about the making of Reblochon cheese, learn about a traditional oven, learn about the old greniers, and an old sawmill . . .

website 

address: Hameau des Alpes, 44 route de la Patton, 74220, La Clusaz

🌳 L’Ecomusée PAYSALP (Musée Paysan & Croq’Alp) 

website 

address: 628 avenue de Savoie, 74250, Viuz-en-Sallaz

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A 🌳 stroll through a forest is a sensory experience, and provides shade and respite during the summer months . . . As well as some walking paths, there is also plenty of scope for the imagination and for creativity: cabane-making, LandArt, scavenging and collecting! And so, where to head for some 🌳 forest fun? There are so many beautiful options here 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc and beyond; we are surrounded by forest here in Haute-Savoie!  [ ⇒ for some ideas for 🌳 forest strolls, see separate MBFF article here ]

⇒ further afield suggestions for 🌳 forest strolls: 

• Sentier des Arpelières (Val d’Arly) – a stunning walk through the tourbières (peat bogs) – a green palette this time of year, rather than the stunning autumn colours that I’ve described in a separate article ( ⇒ see MBFF article here);

• 🍂 Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval & Les Anciennes Gorges des Tines;
• Roc de Chère (Annecy);

During one of the Covid confinements here in France, when we were limited to a 1km radius, I put together an article about creative ideas and nature games for when you are outdoors or in the woods en famille . . . Our wonderful nature has so much art to offer us that can be made into creative art work! You could create some ephemeral landart out on your hikes in the woods, or you could gather leaves for some creative art at home . . . [ ⇒ see MBFF article 10 ideas for NATURE GAMES & CREATIVITY for some more ideas ]

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☀️ Fine weather and 🌷 summer flowers in bloom . . . the perfect time to visit a 🌳 park, garden, arboretum or castle grounds . . . o look forward to: wild summer flowers, irises and day lilies, rhododendrons . . . [ ⇒ see MBFF article SPRING & SUMMER BLOSSOMS & FLOWERS au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond) ] Here are a handful of ideas for 🌳 parks & gardens au Pays du Mont-Blanc to visit over the summer holidays: 🌳 Parc Couttet – in the centre of Chamonix / FREE; 🌳 Jardin des Cimes – there is a small FEE for entrance to these gardens, but it is absolutely worth it; 🌳 Parc Thermal (Le Fayet) is a wonderful spot for the whole family (playground, duck and fish pond, green space to picnic, kick a ball, ride a bike or draisienne, short walks . . .) / FREE! / ⇒ more information in MBFF article here;

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We live in a creative area here au Pays du Mont-Blanc and there are regular 🎨  art activities on offer for youngsters . . .

🎨 Cat Kartal art school (Les Houches)

Cat has a new workshop in Les Houches, with ateliers for adult, children and ados ! Over the summer months, she sets up a base in the forest in Argentière, and organises Art & Nature workshops !

website & FB page

email: Catkartal@hotmail.fr

🎨 Studio rūsc (Chamonix Sud, Chamonix)

Adult workshops here.

website & FB page

🎨 Chalet des Créateurs (Saint-Gervais)

A boutique and a creative space, with stages on offer . . .

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SUMMER HIKING & STROLLING

WALKS & STROLLS en famille

Here are just a few suggestions for buggy-friendly or draisienne-friendly family strolls . . .

• 💦 river strolls (Chamonix) – Arve and Arveyron rivers;
• 💦 Paradis des Praz (Les Praz de Chamonix) – gurgling stream, activities and buvette;
• 💦 Lac des Chavants (Les Houches);
• 🌲 La Moraine (Argentière) – playground and gurgling stream;
• 💦 Lac de Passy – perfect terrain for buggies and bikes and a small bike park too;
• 💦 Passy – sculpture walk au cheminement de l’Arve;
• 💦 Lacs des Ilettes – also fun to explore and picnic at the Cascade d’Arpenaz (no buggies here and be very vigilant with small children!);
• 💦 Sallanches – along the Bialle stream and into the Braconne woods / see here;
• 💦 Combloux’s «100% bio» – loop around the Plan d’Eau Biotope and beyond / 30mins / possible with cross-country buggies;
• 🗺 Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc’s town parcours d’orientation « A la découverte de Saint-Gervais », « Boucle des Maisons Fortes » & new 2KM3 leaflet – 1 hour – available from the tourist office;
• 🗺 Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc: « Charlotte la Marmotte au Bettex » – we’ve tried this thematic walk at the start of winter – it was super!
• 🗺 Les Contamines-Montjoie – Sentier Découverte along the Nant Borant river up to Notre-Dame de la Gorge / annotated panels explaining the history, nature and patrimoine of the area;

• 🗺 Nancy-sur-Cluses – an annotated stroll for families;

• 

  © Cluses Arve & Montagnes

  

  © Cluses Arve & Montagnes

• 💦 Giffre river walk – start in Taninges, and walk or bike as far as you like / be sure to visit the Chartreuse de Mélan when you’re there, and there are sculptures along the way!
• 💦 Doussard: La Réserve Naturelle du Bout du Lac – a lovely buggy-friendly walk at the southern tip of Lac d’Annecy / ⇒ see here for more details;
• Saint-Jorioz: sentier thématique des roselières – a flat, lakeside walk, with annotated panels along the way / ⇒ see MBFF article;
• 🇨🇭💦 Col de la Forclaz: an annotated walk along the 💦 Bisse du Trient (irrigation channel from 1895 bringing water from the glacier du Trient to the Col du Forclaz) / ⇒ more information in MBFF article;

SUMMER HIKING for families

One of the biggest draws for our Alps is the HIKING on offer ! As ❄️ the snow continues to melt up high (it is taking a while this year!), and the 🚠 cable cars, bubble lifts and chairlifts re-open for the summer season, hiking at altitude becomes more accessible . . . (NB – on higher altitude walks, please do always check ❄️ snow cover before heading out, as winter leaves not just snow, but damage to paths!) [ NB – don’t forget suncream, sunglasses, sun hats, warm clothing, waterproofs, first-aid kit, maps, emergency equipment and mountain rescue phone numbers . . . / you may be hiking en famille with older, good walking children or perhaps heading out with walking toddlers or babies in baby carriers . . . ] ⇒ for some inspiration for 🏔 family hikes au Pays du Mont-Blanc (both high and lower altitude), check out MBFF articles :

• 🏔 MBFF’s recommended family hikes au Pays du Mont-Blanc;
• 🏔 FAMILY HIKES – tips for hiking with small children;

Here are some ideas for short family hikes (NOT for buggies!):

• 🏔 Chamonix Valley: see below in Mountain Refuge section / Les Houches – Chalets et Alpage de Charousse;
• 🌲 Servoz – ruines du Château Saint-Michel – fabulous woods, where you’ll even find a cabane in the trees and a bloc escalade (and parcours orientation!);
• 💦 Lac Vert (Passy Plaine-Joux) boucle or departure from Passerelle Himalayenne;
• 🌲 Sallanches’ « Le Sapin Président » – forest discovery trail leading to the Sapin Président, a 270+ year old pine tree with huge dimensions;
• 🏚 Sallanches mountain refuge: refuges of Tornieux, Mayères, Doran . . .
• 🍁 Combloux’s « Sur Les Traces des Graniteurs » – on the trail of the old granite workers / 1h30 / this hike can also be done as a guided visit / HIGHLY recommended / ⇒ see MBFF article here;
• 🌲 Cordons’s « Forest Discovery Trail » – see above in Forest & Woodland section;
• Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval – one of my favourite places to hike, there are lots of different hiking trails and the village of Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval is also very quaint (it is one of les Plus Beaux Villages de la France) / good to know – one hiking route at Cirque de Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval is possible with a buggy;

Art & nature trails

Combining 🎨🌳 art and nature can be a wonderful way to encourage young walkers . . . and here au Pays du Mont-Blanc and beyond, there are plenty of options, with some ephemeral summer ones! See these two articles :

• OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITIONS au Pays du Mont-Blanc;
•  OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITIONS further afield;

Mountain refuges and buvettes

Every summer season, our 🏔 local mountain refuges and buvettes have challenging work clearing the paths of snow, getting ready for the season ahead! Some of the more accessible buvettes and refuges are already open, but others won’t open until they can clear the snow! Here are some suggestions, some very accessible with little ones, some a longer walk (and in some you can spend the night):

• 🏚 Chamonix – La Cascade du Dard – 🏚 Buvette La Cascade du Dard; Le Chapeau in Le Lavancher – 🏚 La Buvette du Chapeau – superb cakes from the dessert chef! (2021 – extensive damage from landslide, so check opening dates!); 🏚 Cabane du Cerro – short walk from the Mont-Blanc tunnel; Brévent – 🏚 Refuge de Bellachat (a hike from Brévent téléphérique or up from Les Gaillands (tough!); Flégère – 🏚 Refuge de la Flégère, 🏚 Refuge de Chésery Lac Vert and 🏚 Lac Blanc, le Refuge; Plan de l’Aguille – Refuge du Plan de l’Aiguille (short walk); La Floria – 🏚 Chalet de la Floria on the Petit Balcon Sud; Montenvers – 🏚 La Buvette du Mottets and 🏚 Chalet Buvette de Caillet (from Les Planards); Les Bossons – 🏚 Chalet du Glacier des Bossons, and higher up 🏚 Les Pyramides ;
• Les Houches – 🏚 Chalets de Chailloux (currently shut);
• Servoz – 🏚 Chalet Tête de la Fontaine (2021 – new management!);
• Argentière – 🏚 Crèmerie du Glacier and Grands-Montets – 🏚 Refuge de Lognan (short walk from téléphérique) / Le Tour – 🏚 Refuge Albert 1er (with its modern makeover by Haag & Baquet Architectes!) and restaurant 🏚 L’Alpage de Balme;
• Vallorcine – 🏚 La Cascade de Bérard, and further along the river valley, the 🏚 Refuge Pierre à Bérard and 🏚 Refuge de Loriaz;
• 🏚 Passy – 🏚 Le Refuge de Varan is still SHUT for this summer season (renovations) / 🏚 Refuge Moëde-Anterne – a longer walk / 🏚 Refuge Le Châtelet D’ Ayères (a short walk from Lac Vert);
• 🏚 Sallanches – 🏚 Refuges de Doran, Tornieux, Mayères (from Burzier) and longer hike (other side of Arve Valley) to 🏚Refuge du CAF Véran;
• 🏚 Saint-Gervais – 🏚 Refuge du Nid d’Aigle (a short walk from Tramway du Mont-Blanc stop); 🏚 Auberge de Bionnassay / Saint Nicolas de Véroce – 🏚 Refuge de Porcherey;
• 🏚 Megève – 🏚 Le Refuge du Calvaire – very accessible from the centre of town; 🏚 Auberge La Croix du Planay – here you can buy local goods;
• 🏚 Praz-sur-Arly – 🏚 Auberge du Bonjournal – amazing desserts! / 🏚 Foodtruck 1930 – new for summer 2021 season!
• 🏚 Notre Dame de la Gorge – up the Roman road to the 🏚 Refuge de Nant-Borrant; and further along, 🏚 Refuge de la Balme; or 🏚 L’Auberge de Colombaz; or 🏚 Refuge de Miage or 🏚 Refuge Auberge du Truc; 🏚 Refuge des Prés – new for summer 2021!
• 🏚 Trient (Col de la Forclaz, Suisse) – 🏚 Buvette du Glacier;

[ ⇒ and lots, lots more . . . see here for some more ideas for refuge overnights! ]

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BIKE PARKS, BIKE TRAILS & PUMPTRACKS

If the weather is good, it is lovely to head out for 🚵‍♂️ a bike ride ! [ ⇒ see 🚵‍♂️ separate article here for some ideas of where to head on a draisienne of small pedal bike ] The 🚵‍♂️ smaller bike parks for younger VTT riders :

• 🚵‍♂️ Espace VTT Lac de Passy;
• 🚵‍♂️ Ludik Park – next to Les Belles playground (Praz-sur-Arly);

And for bigger kids, you have these new(ish) VTT parks: 🚵‍♂️ Les Bois (Chamonix) & 🚵‍♂️ Saint-Gervais . . . The 🚵‍♂️ higher altititude bike parks will all be open for the summer season, and for the great tracks all over the Pays du Mont-Blanc pick up a map from tourist office! We have some pretty amazing 🛴 pumptracks & 🛹 skateparks au Pays du Mont-Blanc! I enjoy the different age-groups mixing there (though do be careful with tiny ones, as it can be intimidating!). MBFF’s favourite pumptracks?

1. 🛴 Combloux – for the beautiful landscaping here, the view of 🗻 the Massif du Mont-Blanc, and the quantity and quality of acitivites on offer!
2. 🛴 Sallanches – NEW !!! And really BIG !
3. 🛴 Les Contamines-Montjoie – here you have a great pumptrack with a playground! And, you are right on the river path, if you fancy cycling or walking up to the fabulous Parc de Loisirs du Pontet or the pretty Notre-Dame-de-la-Gorge!

[ ⇒ for more ideas for 🛴 pumptracks au Pays du Mont-Blanc, see separate article here ] The 🛹 two biggest skateparks au Pays du Mont-Blanc are in Chamonix and Sallanches (and this is set to be extended!):

Electric Bikes, Trottinettes & Fat Bikes

These new(ish) modes of transport are all the fashion, and you can now rent the equipment from sports shops and more! E-bikes allow you to cover mountainous terrain with less effort (or to cover more ground), and the trottinettes are more for downhill and cross-country giggles . . . Here are some places where you can rent gear:

• 🛴 Trot Top (Lac de Passy / Saint-Gervais) – la trottinette électrique tout terrain / see here for more details;
• 🛴 Alpes Aventures (Combloux, Megève, La Clusaz) – a downhill descent in the Portes du Mont-Blanc terrain / FB page;
• 🛴 Le Bettex (Saint-Gervais) – la trottinette électrique tout terrain;
• 🛴 Parc de Loisir du Pontet (Les Contamines-Montjoie) – new since last year, la trottinette électrique tout terrain;

Karting, E-motorbikes & Quads

There are several options over the summer . . .

• 🏎 Karting du Mont-Blanc (Lac de Passy) – for children 7+ years (1.25m minimum) / open from 14h AND also in morning from 21st July / address: Parking des Criques / tel: 04 50 93 75 37 or 06 80 14 68 19 / website;
• 🏎 Nash Mountain Games (Parc de Loisirs du Pontets, Les Contamines-Montjoie) – there are new quad karts here / FB page;
• 🏎 Mountaincart (Les Carroz) – head down a parcours of 4km, with 600m of dénivelé / access via Télécabine de Kédeuze / for children measuring above 1m40! / information here;
• 🏎 Mountain E-Park (Mont-Saxonnex & Les Gets) – motos and quads for children and adults! / FB page;
• 🏎 Mountaincart (Flaine) – NEW for summer 2021 / see here;
• 🏎 MK Circuit (Scientrier, between Bonneville and Annemasse) – available for children 7+ years (1.25m minimum) / address: 2930 route de l’Arve, 74930, Scientrier / tel: +33 (0)4 50 25 53 47 / website;

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If you are not a experienced climber yourself, then I highly suggest hiring a GUIDE ! Here are some suitable 🧗‍♀️ climbing & bouldering spots for families 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc:

• 🧗‍♀️ Chamonix Valley – Les Gaillands in Chamonix / Pierre d’Orthaz (bouldering) & Via Corda Alpina (Les Bois) / Les Houches (at Lac des Chavants) / La Joux (Argentière) / Col du Montets (Vallorcine) / Servoz / Vallorcine;
• 🧗‍♀️ Passy – Plaine-Joux – blocs d’escalade and Larses & Barmus (for more experienced);
• 🧗‍♀️ Lacs des Ilettes (Sallanches)– falaise d’escalade des Ilettes;
• 🧗‍♀️ Cordon – rocher d’escalade;
• 🧗‍♀️ Médonnet & La Pesse boulders (Nant-Cruy) – bouldering in a beautiful forest;
• 🧗‍♀️ Le Fayet – Le Parc Thermal (and Via Ferrata);
• 🧗‍♀️ Megève – Rochebrune;
• 🧗‍♀️ Les Contamines-Montjoie – rocher d’escalade de la Duchère;

&

🧗‍♀️ Via Ferrata 

You now have several options locally :

• 🧗‍♀️ Via Ferrata des Evettes (Flegère, Chamonix) – see here for more details;
• 🧗‍♀️ Via Ferrata Curalla (Plateau d’Assy) – you can rent equipment from buvette on-site / ⇒ see here for more details;
• 🧗‍♀️ Via Ferrata du Parc Thermal (Le Fayet) – for more experienced climbers! / ⇒ see here for more details;
• 🧗‍♀️ Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval – see here for more details;

For indoor climbing options, see separate MBFF article here / NEW for September will be the climbing centre the Topo in Le Fayet!

Climbing Lessons (adhoc & holidays)

• 🧗‍♀️ Koala Grimpe (Chamonix Valley) – my boys have climbed with these ladies, and they are adorable! / see here;
• 🧗‍♀️ Coco Grimpe (Chamonix Valley) – see here;
• 🧗‍♀️ Granit Escalade (Chamonix Valley) – with stages adapted to older children too / see here;
• 🧗‍♀️ Mont-Blanc Escalade (Les Houches) – indoor lessons over the holidays / see here;
• 🧗‍♀️ Evasion Canyioning (Le Fayet)– climbing lessons and canyoning / see here;
• 🧗‍♀️ Le Palais Megève – lessons and stages available;
• 🧗‍♀️ clubs, associations and other climbing walls also offer lessons;

&

My boys absolutely love 🌳 an accrobranches to release their 🐒 inner monkey! Most of these are open on fair weather days over the spring holidays au Pays du Mont-Blanc . . . [ ⇒ for a list of the 🌳 Pays du Mont-Blanc accrobranches, see separate MBFF article here . . . ] ⇒ further afield, there are also some slighly different options . . . MBFF’s favourites? 🌳 Filenvol – we have now been to Filenvol twice and each visit had a FABULOUS time (and the autumn colours were a highlight for me!). The concept is to run and jump and slide within large nets suspended from the trees (no need for harnesses!) . . . giant trampolines in the trees! There are hammocks (adults can bring a book!), a small buvette and plenty of spots for picnics here / opening hours: all year, 10h to 17h (weather dependent!) / price: see here; [ ⇒ for more information, MBFF article ]

website 

address: 396 chemin du Vallon, 74560, Monnetier-Mornex (near Salève/Annemasse)

🌳 Criq’parc (Saint-Jorioz, Lac d’Annecy) – especially good for little ones!

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🗺 Jeux de piste and parcours d’orientation are a great way to encourage youngsters to have fun (and learn) outdoors! We have several superb options now au Pays du Mont-Blanc! [ ⇒ for more information about 📱 treasure hunts and parcours d’orientation, see separate MBFF article here ] Have you tried one of 🗺 the Chamonix Valley parcours d’orientation? We’ve done a few now, and they are superb! There are SIX 🗺 parcours d’orientation to try out in the Chamonix Valley, and MBFF has tried out quite a few of them – we love them! ⇒ see the following articles for more information:

• 🍁 Parcours d’Orientation au Lac de Chavants (Les Houches);
• 🐸 An aire de jeux, a mare aux Têtards and a parcours d’orientation (Argentière);
• 🏰 Château de Saint-Michel: castle ruins, forest and a parcours d’orientation (Servoz) ;

There are also some 🗺 NEW parcours d’orientation to try in Saint-Gervais, the easier one in the Parc Thermal. There are also géocaching options 🏔 au Pays du Mont Blanc:

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ANIMAL ANTICS – animal parks & farms, canirando, donkey walks, horse-riding . . .

There are lots of ways to observe animals 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc ! The most natural is out hiking at altitude or in the forest, where you can spot some local animals ! There are several 🐓🏔  farms to visit au Pays du Mont-Blanc, and farm products to buy . . . be sure to check opening hours for the public directly with the farm or with the local tourist office ! 🐄 La Ferme Les Montagnards GAEC (Ormaret, Combloux) – with workshops for children over the holidays (be sure to book!) / see FB page and MBFF article here / there is a lovely hike from the centre of Combloux to Ormaret, which will take you past this farm – see MBFF article here; 🐄 Ferme Le Gaec Val Mont-Blanc (Combloux) – the Paget family farm, with cheese-making and tasting at this dairy farm! / address: 777 route de Saint-Gervais, Gemoëns, 74920, Combloux / tel (reservations): 06 16 33 71 74 or 04 50 58 60 49;

🐐 Chèvrerie Les Cabrettes (in summer, at the Alpage de Sommier d’Aval, Le Reposoir) – this goat farm is located on the hillside at St Roch in winter, but moves to the Alpage de Sommier d’Aval in summertime! / flock: 100 chèvres alpines chamoisées, 45 chevrettes, 6 boucs, 2 ânesses / cheese for sale every day (except Sunday morning) 10h to 12h and 16h30 to 18h30 / reservations: 04 50 98 18 01; 🐄 La Ferme de l’Aberieux (Cordon) – nestled into the start of a walking path, this farm has 25 milking cows from the Tarentaise breed / sale of cheese: tomme de Savoie, bleu fermier, raclette de Savoie, fromage blanc, faisselle, yogurts, confiture de lait, l’abérieux (fromage à pâte molle) and butter / opening hours: every day except Sunday morning / Albert can show you how to make cheese in the morning (reservations required) / cow milking from 17h30 / participation: 3€ and free for under 12s / website / address: 490 chemin du Pont de la Flée, 74700, Cordon / tel: 06 76 12 41 67; 🐑 La Ferme des Roches Fleuries (Saint-Gervais) – you can visit this animal farm and buy produce too! (check timings with tourist office in Saint-Gervais! / FB page / address: 1510 route D’Orsin, Saint-Gervais-les-Bains;

[ good to know: in late spring, you could be lucky enough to accompany or witness an emmontagnée = the annual taking up the mountain to higher pastures (alpages) of 🐄 cows and 🐏 sheep and 🐑  goats! You’ll also see green spaces filled with 🐏 sheep, that have been employed to mow the lawn eco-style! (for example, the Pré d’Amour in Megève!) ]

further afield: 🐐 Chèvrerie de la Pierre à Laya (Arâches) – a goat farm, with activities for children! / FB page / address: Lieu-dit Champs d’en Bas – route des Champs; 74300; Arâches; 🐓 La Ferme de Chosal (Copponex) – an absolutely FABULOUS pedagogic farm, with animals, green-houses, land-art walk (Sentier Art et Nature), workshops, an ethical & social spirit . . . seedlings and plants to buy / NEW: a barefoot walk! / opening hours: every day;

website

address: 98 route de l’Usine, Chosal, 74350, Copponex

🏔 Au Pays du Mont-Blanc, we have:

• 🦌 Parc Animalier de Merlet in Les Houches – 2023 update: remember that you now need to book! / ⇒ see MBFF article here; 

website

address: 223 chemin des Vorziers, La Fontaine, 74310, Les Houches / tel: 04 50 47 23 60

• Elevage de Saint-Bernard kennels (Les Houches-Servoz) – website;

You can visit 🐺 HUSKY KENNELS (chenils) in:  

• 🐺 Les Contamines-Montjoie (Notre Dame de la Gorge) – chiens polaires;
• 🐺 Flumet – 3D Nordic husky kennels – see here for more details;

A little further afield, you have plenty more options . . . [ ⇒ see article 🦌 Animal Parks & Aquariums au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond) for lots more information ! ]

Tadpole & Frog and Newt Spotting

In late May (this will vary each year), you’ll be able to take children out to our local lakes & 🐸 mare aux têtards and some ephemeral flaques d’eau, to look for and to observe 🐸 tadpole eggs, tadpoles & frogs . . . you can sometimes observe the entire cycle de vie de la grenouille in one pond! We particularly enjoyed the ephemeral flaque d’eau at Lac de Javen a couple of years ago! And this year, I found myself recently swimming with frogs at Lacs de la Cavettaz! In the summertime, you can look for 🦎 newts and salamanders (tritons) . [ ⇒ see separate MBFF article 🐸 Where to observe TADPOLES & FROGS au Pays du Mont-Blanc for some ideas! ]

Canirando (hiking with a dog & baudrier)

There are several local companies offering 🐶 canirando (walking with a dog in a harness) excursions locally (weather dependent):

• 🐶 Huskydalen (Chamonix) – website;
• 🐶 Les Granges de Heidi (Passy & Cordon) – website;
• 🐶 Au Mont du Villard du Nord (Megève) – website;
• 🐶 Voyageurs d’Hiver (Les Contamines-Montjoie) – website;
• 🐶 3D Nordic (Flumet) – website / highly recommended !

Horse Riding, Ponies & Stables

You might also like to visit 🐴 a horse stable (écurie) and try 🐎 horse or pony riding, or have a horse or pony trek . . . in the school holidays, there may also be stages on offer :

• 🐎 Centre Équestre du Mont-Blanc (Les Houches) – website;
• 🐎 Les Ecuries d’Antan (côteaux de Passy) – see website;
• 🐎 Le Cheval de Feug (Demi-Quartier) – website;
• 🐎 Les Ecuries des Fiz (Le Fayet) – stages on offer over the holidays / FB page;
• 🐎  Centre Equestre Les Contamines-Montjoie – sessions during the school holidays / website;
• 🐎 La CheVallée (Les Carroz) – see here;
• 🐎 Aravis Equitation (La Clusaz) – see here;

Donkey rides & Donkey leading

This is the perfect way to motivate young children to hike – a hike leading (and sitting on, when necessary!) a lovely donkey! / from 1h30 strolls to a day or several days!

• La Compagnie des Ânes (Vaudagne, Les Houches) – website / address: 55 chemin du Vieux Four, 74310, Vaudagne, Les Houches / tel: 04 50 47 26 18;
• Les Ânes Montagnards (Parking du Crozat, Bionnassay) – from mid-June until September (also, a savonnerie – soap made from donkey milk!) / website / address: 268, rue des Fiz la Forêt, 74170, Saint-Gervais-les-Bains / tel: +33 6 51 28 56 35;
• Les Ânes et les Mômes (Les Contamines-Montjoie) – we had a fabulous time hiking with our donkey Ernest, a couple of years ago! / website;

Horse-drawn carts 

• 🐴 Servoz and Combloux – check with the tourist offices!
• 🐴 Megève – summer and winter calèches through the streets of Megève / departure: opposite the church;

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A great way to expend some energy is to grab 🏀 a basketball or ⚽️ football and head off to one of the FREE terrains multisports on offer au Pays du Mont-Blanc . . . some, as you can imagine, have sublime mountain views to enjoy as you score goals or shoot some hoops! Here are a few suggestions:

Terrains de Sport

• 🏀 Chamonix – next to the running track at the Centre Sportif Richard Bozon are some option for ball games;
• 🏀 Les Houches – terrain multisports behind the patinoire (which becomes a roller park after the winter season!);
• ⚽️ Servoz – two football pitches near the rocher d’escalade;
• 🏀 Vallorcine – there is a small terrain de sport right next to the Gare SNCF and the playground;
• 🏀 Sallanches – in the sports zone of la Cayenne: tennis courts, stade de foot, rugby and the indoor Centre Sportif de Cayenne, you will find some NEW basketball hoops;
• 🏹 Sallanches (near church) – indoor and outdoor centre for pétanque and archery;
• 🏀 Combloux – possibly the terrain de sports (City Stade) with the best view 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc! / bonus: a playground for little ones, a freestyle parcours, a pumptrack & skatepark, proximity to town (lovely boulangeries for picnics and restaurants) and family walks!
• ⚽️ Saint-Gervais (Plaine de Pratz) – a NEW 4×4 footie pitch, next to the pumptrack!
• 🏀 Praz-sur-Arly – terrain multisports at Les Belles / bonus: playground, mini-golf, bike park, tennis, buvette in warmer months;
• 🏀 Megève – next to Le Palais, you’ll find the City Stade, tennis courts, pump track and mini-golf;
• 🏒 Les Contamines-Montjoie Loyers – you can play street hockey where the patinoire sits in wintertime;

Tennis Courts

And you’ll find 🎾 indoor and outdoor tennis courts here:

• 🎾 Centre Sportif Richard Bozon (Chamonix) – there are both indoor and outdoor tennis courts and squash courts available at the sports centre / see here for more details / tel: 04 50 53 28 40;
• 🎾 Hôtel Aiguille du Midi (Les Bossons) – the clay courts are open to all at 12euros per hour / tel: 04 50 53 00 65;
• 🎾 Tennis Les Iles (Argentières) – reserved for sporting clubs / tel: 04 50 54 09 59;
• 🎾 Servoz – outdoor tennis courts next to the pumptrack and playground;
• 🎾 Lac des Chavants (Les Houches) – outdoor tennis courts at the base de loisirs, next to playground;
• 🎾 Tennis Club de Passy – both indoor and outdoor courts / see website for more details / address: 410 rue du Stade, 74190, Passy (not far from Mountain Store) / tel: 04 50 78 10 93;
• 🎾 Plateau d’Assy – two outdoor tennis courts / reserve through Passy Office de Tourisme / address: 231 rue des Granges, 74190, Plateau d’Assy, Passy;
• 🎾 Tennis & Squash Municipales & Tennis Club du Mont-Blanc (Sallanches) – outdoor courts and two indoor tennis and squash courts / opening hours: see here / address: 283 avenue Albert Gruffat, 74700, Sallanches / tel: 04 57 44 41 83;
• 🎾 Combloux – outdoor courts behind the Plan d’Eau Biotope;
• 🎾 Cordon – 2x FREE courts at la Charbonnière (tennis ballon played here also) / 1 court (12€ per hour) at Hotel du Chamois d’Or (tel: 04 50 58 05 16);
• 🎾 Parc Thermal (Le Fayet) – x2 quicks (check when these are due to open);
• 🎾 Saint-Gervais-les-Bains – Sporting Club (798 avenue de Miage, 74170, Saint-Gervais-les-Bains) has 6 outdoor courts and a mini-tennis and restaurant on-site (next to mini-golf) / Bettex has x2 quicks;
• 🎾 Megève (Le Palais) – with a terrain en Taraflex and ping-pong too / tel: 04 50 21 15 71;
• 🎾 Praz-sur-Arly (Les Belles) – tennis courts next to terrain multisports and playground;
• 🎾 Les Contamines-Montjoie (Parc de Loisirs du Pontet) – see website;

Visit a new village or town au Pays du Mont-Blanc

Are there any mountain villages or towns you’ve not yet visited au Pays du Mont-Blanc? Or a bit further away? Many of them have themed walks or treasure hunts available, to help you learn about the patrimoine and sights – if you head into the tourist offices, they can help out! Here are some ideas:

• Chamonix – several treasure hunts up and down the valley available, all accessible from nearest SNCF station;
• Sallanches – a springtime stroll through town / ⇒ see MBFF article here, and pop into the tourist office on your way for a leaflet about some of the main patrimoine sights;
• Combloux – boucle du patrimoine;

[ ⇒ see MBFF article here for some more ideas ]

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