Category: Animal Antics

Animal Antics, Babies & Toddlers, Biking, Scooting & Skating

20 SUMMER ACTIVITIES for TODDLERS au Pays du Mont-Blanc

I’ve had a few emails recently, asking me about toddler activites here 🗻 au Pays du Mont-Blanc over ☀️ the summer, so this article is aimed at addressing the lack of information in ONE LOCATION on the website.   Some of the activities over the summer 🗻 au Pays du Mont-Blanc are aimed at families with older children (longer hikes, canyoning, rafting, via ferratas, and little … Continue reading 20 SUMMER ACTIVITIES for TODDLERS 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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Animal Antics, AQUATIS Aquarium & Vivarium, Babies & Toddlers, Lac Léman, Lausanne, Museums & Exhibitions, Rainy Days, Switzerland, Weekend Escapes

AQUATIS aquarium-vivarium en famille (LAUSANNE)

🐠🐊 AQUATIS aquarium-vivarium opened just over 4 years ago, and I had been wanting to take the boys ever since! And so MBFF was delighted to be invited just before the Christmas holidays. I kept it a secret from the boys until we arrived, just to add to the excitement; both boys being huge animal lovers (yes, including 🐊 reptiles and 🐸 amphibians!), I knew … Continue reading AQUATIS aquarium-vivarium en famille (LAUSANNE)

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Animal Antics, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Babies & Toddlers, Forest & Woodland, Further France, Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Haute-Savoie, Hiking & Strolling, Lac d'Annecy & environs, Lac d'Annecy Hikes & Strolls, Lakes & Swimming, Réserve Naturelle du Bout-du-Lac (Doussard), Weekend Escapes

BUGGY WALKS & FAMILY STROLLS: La Réserve Naturelle du Bout-du-Lac (Doussard, Lac d’Annecy)

🏞 La Réserve Naturelle du Bout-du-Lac in Doussard is a tranquil 🐸 wetland area, with marshes, 💦 rivers and 🌾 unique flora and 🦆 fauna, offering superb views of 💦 Lac d’Annecy and 🏔 the surrounding mountains. For 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 families, it is ideal: wide wooden walkways perfect for buggies or wheelchairs, 🗺 explanatory panels along the way . . . children will remain engaged and you’ll all learn … Continue reading BUGGY WALKS & FAMILY STROLLS: La Réserve Naturelle du Bout-du-Lac (Doussard, Lac d’Annecy)

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Animal Antics, Forest & Woodland, Hiking & Strolling, Parks & Gardens

10 ideas for NATURE GAMES & CREATIVITY en famille

Living in the 🏔 Pays du Mont-Blanc, we always have some 🌳 woodland or green space nearby, so here are some ideas for 🌳 nature-inspired activities for your next outing! 1. Build a CABANE We don’t all live near 🌳 woodland with copious branches available to make a solid cabane, but if you do . . . this activity will keep your brood amused for a … Continue reading 10 ideas for NATURE GAMES & CREATIVITY en famille

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Animal Antics, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Forest & Woodland, Hiking & Strolling

10 ideas for AUTUMN FAMILY HIKES & STROLLS with small children au Pays du Mont-Blanc

🍁 Autumn, before ❄️ the snow arrives (and even when ❄️ the snow arrives!), is a lovely time for a family stroll or hike here 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc . . . the temperatures are (usually) fresher than the ☀️ summertime, and 🍁 the burnt seasonal colours adorning the trees and scattered on the ground are just beautiful. Next to a lake, you’ll perhaps see 🍂 autumn … Continue reading 10 ideas for AUTUMN FAMILY HIKES & STROLLS with small children au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Animal Antics, Argentière, Babies & Toddlers, Cafés & Restaurants, Chamonix Valley, Forest & Woodland, Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Hiking & Strolling, Playgrounds & Softplay

An AIRE de JEUX, a MARE aux TÊTARDS and a PARCOURS ORIENTATION (Argentière)

It took MBFF a very long time to discover the wonderful 🐸 mare aux têtards & 🌈 playground in the 🌲 moraine woods of Argentière! But we are so glad that we finally made our way there! I had been wanting to hunt out this elusive playground (not so elusive if you live in Argentière!) for many, many years, but never quite managed it. And one day … Continue reading An AIRE de JEUX, a MARE aux TÊTARDS and a PARCOURS ORIENTATION (Argentière)

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"Made in", Animal Antics, Argentière, Babies & Toddlers, Chamonix Valley Nature Reserves, Combloux, Combloux Hikes & Strolls, Combloux Playgrounds, Forest & Woodland, Hiking & Strolling, La Réserve Naturelle de Passy, La Réserve Naturelle des Contamines, Lac des Chavants, Lac Vert, Lacs des Ilettes, Lakes & Swimming, Le Jardin des Cimes, Les Contamines, Les Contamines & Environs, Les Houches, Megève, Megève & Environs, Passy, Passy & Environs, Plaine-Joux, Plan d'Eau Biotope, Plateau d'Assy, Playgrounds & Softplay, Praz-sur-Arly, Praz-sur-Arly Hikes & Strolls, Sallanches, Sallanches & Environs, Sallanches Hikes & Strolls

Where to observe TADPOLES & FROGS au Pays du Mont-Blanc

A couple of years ago in late May, MBFF went for 🍏 a picnic with friends up at 🎣 Lac de Javen in Megève – it was a mild May that year! 🎣 Lac de Javen is a popular picnic spot for families in the summertime, as it is just a short hike to get there and there are plenty of activities on offer: ☕️ buvette … Continue reading Where to observe TADPOLES & FROGS au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Animal Antics

ZOOLOGY (animal groups) & GEOGRAPHY LESSON (for 5 to 6 year olds)

I shared a short Facebook post a few weeks ago about some lesson ideas for teaching children about the 🌎 world (continents, the globe, atlases), and the specific 🦒 animals found in certain continents . . . Following on from that, and having played some more games surrounding the world and animal groups, I thought I would elaborate and write a longer article, with more … Continue reading ZOOLOGY (animal groups) & GEOGRAPHY LESSON (for 5 to 6 year olds)

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Animal Antics, Aosta Valley, Aosta Valley Castles, Forte di Bard, Italy, Museums & Exhibitions, Rainy Days, Weekend Escapes

« Wildlife Photographer of the Year » (Forte di Bard, ITALY)

It was quite by chance in the spring of 2014 that we discovered that we could enjoy the 📷 « Wildlife Photographer of the Year » exhibition fairly close to home, just across in 🇮🇹 Italy, through the tunnel from Chamonix! I had always enjoyed visiting the London-based exhibition at the Natural History Museum (NB « Wildlife Photographer of the Year » competition – exhibition was developed and is produced … Continue reading « Wildlife Photographer of the Year » (Forte di Bard, ITALY)

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Agendas & Events, Animal Antics, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Further France, Hiking & Strolling, Le Parc Zoologique (Lyon), Lyon, Museums & Exhibitions, Parc de la Tête d'Or, Parks & Gardens, Theatre, Dance & Music, Weekend Escapes

LYON – 72 hours of fun & visits en famille !

During the 🍂 Toussaint holidays of 2019, MBFF spent a long weekend in the beautiful city of 🏙 Lyon. As Daddy MBFF had some work meetings in the beautiful city, we decided to head there en famille, arriving at our hotel (located in the 7è arrondissement, just across the river from 🖼 the Musée des Confluences) at 8h in the morning (eek!), in time for me … Continue reading LYON – 72 hours of fun & visits en famille !

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Animal Antics, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Babies & Toddlers, Cinemas, Further France, Lyon, Rainy Days, Weekend Escapes

L’Aquarium de Lyon (LYON)

On our recent trip to Lyon, MBFF was treated to some tickets to experience the 🐟 Aquarium de Lyon. Did you think that aquariums were the reserve of 🌊 sea or ocean located cities? Think again – though Lyon is far from the sea or ocean, do remember that this beautiful city is located at the 💦 strategic confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, and this … Continue reading L’Aquarium de Lyon (LYON)

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"Made in", Animal Antics, Babies & Toddlers, Combloux, Combloux Hikes & Strolls, La Ferme les Montagnards, Workshops & Stages

BIENVENUE à La Ferme Les Montagnards (Ormaret, COMBLOUX)

🇫🇷 Français – J’ai tout d’abord entendu parler de la ferme pédagogique 🐮  La Ferme Les Montagnards, située dans le petit village d’Ormaret à Combloux, grace à la crèche et à la garderie de mes fils – les deux y sont allées en excursion et sont rentrés avec des histoires sur leur “journée à la ferme”. . . J’ai ensuite découvert la ferme moi-même avec mon fils … Continue reading BIENVENUE à La Ferme Les Montagnards (Ormaret, COMBLOUX)

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Animal Antics, CJBG - Geneva's Botanical Gardens, Geneva, Parks & Gardens

Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques de la Ville de Genève (CJBG) – Geneva’s botanical gardens

We made our first visit en famille to Geneva’s 🌷 botanical gardens (CJBG – Le Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques de la Ville de Genève) on a crisp and sunny 🍁 autumn’s day a few years back . . . and we loved it so much that we couldn’t wait to head back there in early spring! Just how had this magical garden eluded us for so long? (we … Continue reading Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques de la Ville de Genève (CJBG) – Geneva’s botanical gardens

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Animal Antics, Babies & Toddlers, Geneva, Geneva Museums, Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle, Museums & Exhibitions, Rainy Days

MUSÉUM GENÈVE – Natural History Museum (Geneva)

[ from January 2024 : SHUT for renovation ! ] The 🐧 Muséum Genève, Geneva’s natural history museum, was our go-to museum for ☔️ rainy days when our boys were small! We have – over the years – pushed 💤 sleeping babies around the exhibits there, watched our toddlers crawl, run and topple over there, and we have spent plenty of time running after them … Continue reading MUSÉUM GENÈVE – Natural History Museum (Geneva)

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Animal Antics, Babies & Toddlers, Barryland - St-Bernard Museum, Martigny, Martigny Museums, Museums & Exhibitions, Rainy Days, Switzerland, Weekend Escapes

BARRYLAND – Musée et Chiens du Saint-Bernard (Martigny)

We first visited 🐶 Barryland – Musée et Chiens du Saint-Bernard with a dog-loving and inquisitive 3 year old and a snoozing (mostly!) newborn baby in a pram . . . this visit coincided with the arrival of Saint-Bernard puppies! A year later we visited again and this visit coincided with another litter of 🐶 cute puppies, but also with the most wonderful 🐣 Easter egg hunt … Continue reading BARRYLAND – Musée et Chiens du Saint-Bernard (Martigny)

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Agendas & Events, Animal Antics, Hiking & Strolling, Lakes & Swimming, Les Contamines, Les Contamines & Environs, Les Contamines Playgrounds, Les Contamines Sport & Adventure, Parc de Loisirs du Pontet, Playgrounds & Softplay

Parc de Loisirs du Pontet (Les Contamines-Montjoie)

The MBFF tribe is a huge fan of the ⛳️ Parc de Loisirs du Pontet, the largest parc de loisirs 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc. This giant leisure park in the beautiful Les Contamines-Montjoie offers more than 20 sports and leisure activities and also has 💦 a small swimming lake and boating lake. Being located next to Notre Dame de la Gorge, opposite the 🚡 Téléphérique de la … Continue reading Parc de Loisirs du Pontet (Les Contamines-Montjoie)

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Animal Antics, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Babies & Toddlers, Further France, Haute-Savoie, Les Grandes Médiévales d'Andilly, Parks & Gardens, Playgrounds & Softplay, Theatre, Dance & Music, Weekend Escapes

Le Grand Parc d’Andilly (ANDILLY)

I first went to the 🌈 Grand Parc d’Andilly (back then known as the 🌈 Parc des Épouvantails) a few years ago, when I accompanied my elder son’s school class on his sortie de fin de l’année scolaire. I’ll admit that I hadn’t heard much about it until that point and when I heard that it was a fun park ” inhabited by resident scarecrows … Continue reading Le Grand Parc d’Andilly (ANDILLY)

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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 & FARMS au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and a little beyond)

We are 🐯 HUGE ANIMAL LOVERS here at MBFF  . . . and we are lucky to share our home with a couple of affectionate (and fairly tolerant!) 🐱🐱 felines. But perhaps some of you don’t have the home set-up to accommodate animal friends, or perhaps allergies are preventing you from doing so . . . Luckily – whether you live 🗻 au Pays du Mont-Blanc or you are visiting – … Continue reading ANIMAL PARKS & FARMS au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and a little beyond)

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3D Nordic - Husky Dog Sledding & Canirando, Animal Antics, Babies & Toddlers, Praz-sur-Arly, Praz-sur-Arly Sport & Adventure, Snowy Days

3D NORDIC – canirando, kennels & chiens de traîneau (FLUMET)

[ note 2023 : Sandrine and Jonathan, their baby and their 🐺 dogs all head to 🇸🇪 Lapland from early in the autumn and throughout the winter season, so they no longer offer husky sledding (see below for more information!). BUT, from springtime until autumn, they do offer canirando and you can visit the chenil (upon reservation) ] Canirando with 3D Nordic 🐺 Canirando is … Continue reading 3D NORDIC – canirando, kennels & chiens de traîneau (FLUMET)

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"Made in", Agendas & Events, Animal Antics, Passy, Passy & Environs, Passy Events, Workshops & Stages

Bon Anniversaire, Gypaète Barbu! (© Antoine Rezer Photography)

The 🦅 gypaète barbu celebrated two big birthdays in 2017 : 🦅 30 years since its successful re-introduction into France (1987); 🦅 and 20 years since the first gypaète was born in the Alps (1997); Some gypaète barbu facts: 🦅 NAME – the gypaetus barbatus is what is known as an « Old World vulture »; ie it resides in Africa, Asia and Europe, as opposed … Continue reading Bon Anniversaire, Gypaète Barbu! (© Antoine Rezer Photography)

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Animal Antics, Babies & Toddlers, Hiking & Strolling, Les Houches, Parc de Merlet Animal Park, Parks & Gardens

PARC ANIMALIER de MERLET (Les Houches)

The 🦌 Parc Animalier de Merlet is perched at 1563m, about 600m above the village of 🏔 Les Houches. It is home to around 80 animals that roam freely within the boundaries of the park: 🦌 chamois, bouquetins (ibex), deer, mouflons, marmottes . . . and even the odd 🦙 llama [ ⇒ see here for more information about the animals that live here ] A little history . . … Continue reading PARC ANIMALIER de MERLET (Les Houches)

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Animal Antics, Museums & Exhibitions, Rainy Days, Sallanches, Sallanches & Environs, Sallanches Museums

Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes (SALLANCHES)

Set in 🏰 a historic 14th century château seigneurial (noble stronghold), located just behind ⛪️ the Eglise Saint-Jacques and next to the entrance to 💦 the Gorges du Lévaud in Sallanches, the 🏰 Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes is a museum dedicated to 🏔 the Alps (and mountains in general)! The museum recently re-opened to the public, after an extensive 2 year renovation programme ! … Continue reading Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes (SALLANCHES)

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