Author: Mont Blanc Family Fun

Agendas & Events, Biking, Scooting & Skating

SPORTS EVENTS for families au Pays du Mont-Blanc ( summer 2023 )

☀️ SUMMERTIME is nearly here, and we have a rich calendar of 🚵‍♂️ sporting events to participate IN, or be a spectator AT, over ☀️ these late spring and summer months! 🏃‍♂️  trail running, marathons and half-marathons; 🚵‍♂️ road-biking and VTT events (and details about the Tour de France); 🏊 swimming events; 🏃‍♂️🏊 🚵‍♂️ summer biathlon and triathlon events; 🌈 fun runs and obstacle races; Colour code … Continue reading SPORTS EVENTS for families au Pays du Mont-Blanc ( summer 2023 )

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Agendas & Events

25+ SPRINGTIME ACTIVITIES au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

 S P R I N G T I M E  is here ! The snow up high is now beginning to melt (though it has still been falling up high in many places!), the 💦 waterfalls & rivers are flowing with spring melt gusto, spring blossom and flowers are to be admired in the parks and gardens, and it’s the season once again for hiking … Continue reading 25+ SPRINGTIME ACTIVITIES au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

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"Made in"

EASTER CHOCOLATE : chocolatiers artisanaux au Pays du Mont-Blanc

How do you celebrate 🐣 Easter ? Do you organise 🐣 a little Easter egg hunt in your garden or in a local park? Or do you prefer to go to an organised event ? Here 🗻 au Pays du Mont-Blanc, we live on the border with 🇨🇭 Switzerland, one of the most famous chocolate producing nations in the world ! Those 🐄 happy alpine … Continue reading EASTER CHOCOLATE : chocolatiers artisanaux au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Cordon, Cordon Hikes & Strolls, Forest & Woodland, Hiking & Strolling, Uncategorized

FAMILY HIKES: « Forest Discovery Trail » / « Sentier Découverte de la Forêt » (Cordon)

A few times now, MBFF has headed to Cordon, to walk the « Sentier Découverte de la Forêt à Cordon » (« Forest Discovery Trail »). We first discovered this trail about 8 years ago, when we had a baby in a backpack and a little boy in tow, and I had been meaning to write a full article about it every since! The  « Forest Discovery Trail » is an annotated trail through the  forest … Continue reading FAMILY HIKES: « Forest Discovery Trail » / « Sentier Découverte de la Forêt » (Cordon)

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Uncategorized

FAMILY HIKES: boucle from Lintre ⇒ la Pierre Fendue (SALLANCHES)

This boucle is one of my favourite Sallanches hikes. I’ve actually yet to do it en famille, but I’ve now hiked it a few times with friends, and I know that it would be the perfect family hike with older kids (even younger ones, if they are good hikers!). There is not a huge dénivelé on this hike (the steepest part is at the start), so it is fairly easy on the … Continue reading FAMILY HIKES: boucle from Lintre ⇒ la Pierre Fendue (SALLANCHES)

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Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Hiking & Strolling

La Cascade du Rouget (Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval)

Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval (Vallée du Giffre) is known as  the land of 30 waterfalls, and  la Cascade du Rouget figures prominently on that list; in 2009 was voted the most beautiful waterfall  in France! It is affectionately referred to as  « la reine des Alpes » (the Queen of the Alps). Located at an altitude of 960m, and with its +80m of height set across two levels of flowing water, the  La Cascade du Rouget flows all year … Continue reading La Cascade du Rouget (Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval)

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Castles & Fortresses, Hiking & Strolling, Servoz

Château de Saint-Michel: castle ruins, forest and a parcours d’orientation (SERVOZ)

Are you aware that there are  castle ruins in  the Chamonix Valley ? You’ll find the ruins of the  Château de Saint-Michel, a 14th century fortress built under the orders of Béatrix de Savoie, dame de Faucigny, in Servoz. The  castle ruins sit on a hilltop (860m), surrounded by trees, and the only remaining vestiges are the tower and parts of the wall, now covered in vegetation (especially verdant in summertime!). The  castle was built … Continue reading Château de Saint-Michel: castle ruins, forest and a parcours d’orientation (SERVOZ)

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Babies & Toddlers, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Hiking & Strolling, Médiathèque Ange Abrate Sallanches, Playgrounds & Softplay, Sallanches, Sallanches Hikes & Strolls, Sallanches Museums, Sallanches Playgrounds, Uncategorized

BUGGY WALKS : a springtime stroll in Sallanches

🌸 Springtime has arrived . . . and while I dream of one day being in Japan for its famous 🌸 springtime cherry blossoms, for now I am excited to share this little 🏛 Sallanches town stroll with you. While there is still snow on the higher altitude walks, why not take a leisurely amble through the streets of Sallanches, enjoy the 🌸 spring blossoms, and discover a little history as … Continue reading BUGGY WALKS : a springtime stroll in Sallanches

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Uncategorized

MBFF’s FAVOURITE PLAYGROUNDS au Pays du Mont-Blanc

MBFF has now spent about 11 years discovering and testing 🌈 playgrounds au Pays du Mont-Blanc. We are fairly confident that we have tested most of them! The following list highlights our personal favourites (this is clearly subjective!). At certain points on our journey of discovery, we had to avoid certain playgrounds, as with two energetic boys three years apart in age, some playgrounds were somewhat challenging with … Continue reading MBFF’s FAVOURITE PLAYGROUNDS au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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3D Nordic - Husky Dog Sledding & Canirando, Animal Antics, AQUATIS Aquarium & Vivarium, Élevage de Saint-Bernards,  Il Parco Villa Pallavicino (Stresa), Barryland - St-Bernard Museum, Chenil 3D Nordic, CJBG - Geneva's Botanical Gardens, Copponex, Domaine le Coulairon - Élevage de Rennes, Flumet, Kerzers, La Ferme aux Crocodiles (Pierrelatte), La Ferme de Chosal, La Ferme les Montagnards, La Réserve Naturelle de Passy, La Réserve Naturelle des Contamines, Lago Maggiore, Lausanne, Le Parc Zoologique (Lyon), Les Aigles du Léman (Sciez-sur-Léman), Les Marécottes, Lyon, Martigny Museums, Musée du Léman et Aquarium, Nyon, Papiliorama Butterfly Park, Parc Animalier d’Introd, Parc aux Animaux du Bois-de-la-Bâtie, Parc de Merlet Animal Park, Parc de la Tête d'Or, Parc des Oiseaux (Villars-les-Dombes), Parc du Chien Polaire, Safari de Peaugres, Tropicaland (Viry), Tropicarium de Servion, Vivarium de Meyrin Elapsoïdea, Zoo de Servion, Zoo des Marécottes, Zoo la Garenne

ANIMAL PARKS & AQUARIUMS further afield

We are 🐯 HUGE ANIMAL LOVERS here at MBFF . . . And so we are lucky to have some 🦌 fabulous animal parks, farms and kennels 🗻 au Pays du Mont-Blanc, [ ⇒ for more information about 🗻 animal parks au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and a little beyond), see separate article here ] As we are at the crossroads with 🇫🇷 Further France, 🇨🇭 Switzerland and … Continue reading ANIMAL PARKS & AQUARIUMS further afield

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Babies & Toddlers, Lakes & Swimming

SWIMMING POOLS & LAKES au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

You have many options for 🏊‍♀️ swimming in the Chamonix Valley and in the 🏔 Pays du Mont-Blanc : swimming pools, lakes . . . In this article, you’re sure to find something that suits your needs ! COLOUR CODE FOR LISTINGS Chamonix Valley (Chamonix, Argentière, Les Houches, Servoz) & Vallorcine Passy & environs Sallanches, Combloux, Cordon & Domancy Saint Gervais, Le Fayet, Saint Nicolas de Véroce, … Continue reading SWIMMING POOLS & LAKES au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

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Museums & Exhibitions

OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITIONS au Pays du Mont-Blanc

All that we really need to do to enjoy art 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc, is to open the window, as outside is 🖼 the most exquisite work of art of them all: 🌿 Mother Nature, Dame Nature! It is no wonder why so many 🎨 famous artists have been – and are still are – attracted to our 🏔 alpine scenery: 🍂🍃 the changing seasons, and … Continue reading OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITIONS au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Museums & Exhibitions

OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITIONS further afield

Not too far from the 🏔 Pays du Mont-Blanc, in 🇫🇷 neighbouring France, 🇨🇭 Switzerland and 🇮🇹 Italy, you’ll find some 🖼 permanent outdoor exhibitions, and also some 🖼 new or ephemeral outdoor exhibitions throughout the year and across the passing seasons: 📷 photography, 🎨 sculptures, 🖼 canvases . . . In the same way as famous artists were attracted to paint the mountains and lakes … Continue reading OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITIONS further afield

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Agendas & Events, Museums & Exhibitions, Theatre, Dance & Music, Weekend Escapes

LIGHT SHOWS & ILLUMINATIONS au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

There are some beautiful light shows au Pays du Mont-Blanc and in 🇫🇷 neighbouring France, 🇨🇭 Switzerland and 🇮🇹 Italy, and every year they seem to get more innovative : mapping, son & lumières . . . Mostly these light show take place over the winter holidays and in January and February, and light up villages, towns and cities (and in one case a forest!) … Continue reading LIGHT SHOWS & ILLUMINATIONS au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

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Aosta, Aosta Valley, Aosta Valley Castles, Castello Gamba (modern & contemporary art), Castles & Fortresses, Forte di Bard, Italy, Museums & Exhibitions

MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS in the Aosta Valley (ITALY)

We are lucky to have some 🖼 wonderful museums 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc, many housed in architectural gems (old, renovated and new) . . . and as well as their permanent collections, they also offer 🖼 temporary exhibitions and 🎨 workshops for children and families over the school holidays! We are also lucky if we live in (or are visiting!) the 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc, as we … Continue reading MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS in the Aosta Valley (ITALY)

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Sledging & Ice-Skating, Switzerland, Trient

PISTES de LUGES beyond le Pays du Mont-Blanc

We are lucky to have some fabulous 🛷 pistes de luge au Pays du Mont-Blanc, some in town centres, some up the mountain . . . [ ⇒ for more information about 🛷 pistes de luge au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and nearby), see separate MBFF article here ] Colour code for listings Pays du Mont-Blanc 🇫🇷 Further France  🇨🇭 Switzerland  🇮🇹 Italy  🇫🇷 Pistes de luge in … Continue reading PISTES de LUGES beyond le Pays du Mont-Blanc

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"Made in"

CHOCOLATIERS ARTISANAUX au Pays du Mont-Blanc

Here 🗻 au Pays du Mont-Blanc, we live on the border with 🇨🇭 Switzerland, one of the most famous chocolate producing nations in the world (though neighbouring countries do outweigh this small country in chocolate production!). Those happy 🇨🇭 Swiss 🐄 alpine cows produce 🥛 a rich creamy milk, perfect to mix with cacao, to form delicious chocolate . . . And here in our … Continue reading CHOCOLATIERS ARTISANAUX au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Hiking & Strolling, Megève & Environs

FAMILY HIKES: le Sentier Nature du Calvaire & le Creux Saint-Jean (MEGEVE)

MBFF hiked this trail a couple of times last year, and we can confirm that it is fabulous for families with small children! It would be lovely to do in 🍂 autumn, with the changing colours, but do leave it for a dry day, as it could be quite slippery underfoot after rain! You get a mixture of religious history, art & architecture and nature … Continue reading FAMILY HIKES: le Sentier Nature du Calvaire & le Creux Saint-Jean (MEGEVE)

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Geneva, Geneva Museums, Museums & Exhibitions, Switzerland, Uncategorized

A visit to the MAMCO Genève en famille (GENEVA)

Have you ever been to the 🖼 MAMCO Genève? This 🖼 modern and contemporary art museum is located in an old industrial building in the Plainpalais area of Geneva, and it offers fabulous guided visits for families on Wednesdays and on the first Sunday of each month. MBFF has been a few times, and we love it! What is the MAMCO ? The 🖼 MAMCO (Musée … Continue reading A visit to the MAMCO Genève en famille (GENEVA)

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Forest & Woodland, Hiking & Strolling

20 SHORT FAMILY HIKES with a BUVETTE (CHAMONIX VALLEY)

When the kids are small, we are often limited in the hikes that we undertake: not too far, not too high, not too much dénivelé . . . some of us can hike further, but some of us have problematic backs and knees, meaning that baby backpacks can be more of a challenge . . . or, perhaps we have toddlers that like to hike, … Continue reading 20 SHORT FAMILY HIKES with a BUVETTE (CHAMONIX VALLEY)

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Further France, Museums & Exhibitions, Weekend Escapes

DINOSAURS & PREHISTORY near the Pays du Mont-Blanc

Did you ever wonder why I placed 🦕 a dinosaur in the MBFF logo ? It wasn’t simply because kids tend to love 🦖🦕 dinosaurs; it was also because near the Pays du Mont-Blanc, just across the border in 🇨🇭 Emosson, you’ll find some 🦕 dinosaur prints, vestiges of 💦 a great ocean that once covered our 🗻 mountains . . . But where else … Continue reading DINOSAURS & PREHISTORY near the Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Forest & Woodland, Further France, Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Hiking & Strolling

MORE AMAZING WATERFALLS & GORGES beyond le Pays du Mont-Blanc

💦 Waterfalls and gorge hikes are in abundance here 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc . . . [ ⇒ separate MBFF article 💦 WATERFALLS & GORGES 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc here ] But it is still worth highlighting some 💦 waterfalls and gorges to explore that are a  bit further away, in 🇫🇷 further France and in 🇨🇭 neighbouring Switzerland and the 🇮🇹 Aosta Valley (Italy) . … Continue reading MORE AMAZING WATERFALLS & GORGES beyond le Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Babies & Toddlers, Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Lac de l’Étape, Lakes & Swimming, Playgrounds & Softplay

5 TOP SPOTS for PADDLING in NATURE au Pays du Mont-Blanc

I think that most kids enjoy 💦 paddling in shallow water, correct ? Here au Pays du Mont-Blanc, we have great options for 💦 paddling pools at public swimming pools, but also out in our glorious nature ! Here are some of your options for 💦 indoor or outdoor (or both) paddling pools, where babies and toddlers can play safely, at our local swimming pools : … Continue reading 5 TOP SPOTS for PADDLING in NATURE au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Weekend Escapes

WEEKENDS & LONG WEEKENDS AWAY from le Pays du Mont-Blanc

Had you noticed that 🇫🇷 France has A LOT of bank holidays? No sooner are the spring holidays over, then along comes the Pont de l’Ascension and Pentecôte in May and June ! These weekends are the ideal escape – though do be warned that if you head to the 🇫🇷 South of France on a bank holiday weekend, then you’ll be doing so with many … Continue reading WEEKENDS & LONG WEEKENDS AWAY from le Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Babies & Toddlers, Forest & Woodland, Games, Treasure Hunts & Parcours d'Orientation, Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Hiking & Strolling, Le Fayet, Le Fayet Hikes & Strolls, Le Parc Thermal, Parks & Gardens, St Gervais & Environs

3 FAMILY STROLLS & HIKES in the Parc Thermal (Le Fayet)

The MBFF team players are huge fans of the 🌳 Parc Thermal in Le Fayet . . . as well as the famous 💦 Thermes de Saint-Gervais-Mont-Blanc, this park has so much to offer: hikes & strolls, 🧗‍♂️ climbing & via ferrata, a newly renovated sports complex, a playground, le petit train du Parc Thermal, lots of green grass for running and ball games, art … Continue reading 3 FAMILY STROLLS & HIKES in the Parc Thermal (Le Fayet)

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