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)

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

MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS au Pays du Mont-Blanc

We are lucky to have some 🖼 wonderful museums 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc and in the Chamonix Valley, 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! ⇒ see also MBFF articles: 🖼 OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITIONS & EPHEMERAL OUTDOOR ART au Pays du … Continue reading MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS au Pays du Mont-Blanc

CHRISTMASTIME chez vous au Pays du Mont-Blanc

This is a whole article dedicated to 🎄 Christmastime chez vous au Pays du Mont-Blanc, and here you’ll find information about : 🎄 where to buy your own Christmas tree locally; ✨ where to buy your Christmas decorations locally; ✉️🎅 where to post your letters to Santa; 📦 Les Boites de Noël – Secours Populaire; 🎨 some ideas for Christmas craft chez vous; Head over … Continue reading CHRISTMASTIME chez vous au Pays du Mont-Blanc

BAPTÊME SNOOC au DOMAINE des PLANARDS (Chamonix)

In March 2020, the week before life was to change across the world due to Covid-19, a friend and I had a super morning in Chamonix: we had been invited to try out the 🛷 snooc au ❄ Domaine des Planards! At the time, the ❄ Domaine des Planards was the only ski station 🗻 au Pays du Mont-Blanc set up to use it safely. … Continue reading BAPTÊME SNOOC au DOMAINE des PLANARDS (Chamonix)

BOIS du BOUCHET – strolls, bike rides, a parcours d’orientation, snowy options & MORE !

The 🌲 Bois du Bouchet is a young forest, witness to the retreat of ❄️ ancient glaciers, and with vestiges of the granite-workers from Italy of the 19th and 20th century . . . And this 🌳🌲 woodland it is also a window from which to gaze upon the majestic 🏔 Mont-Blanc and the other peaks of Chamonix. The 🌲 Bois du Bouchet is located … Continue reading BOIS du BOUCHET – strolls, bike rides, a parcours d’orientation, snowy options & MORE !

20+ SUMMER TERRACES for families in the Chamonix Valley!

A few summers ago, I put together this article, detailing some 🥗 Chamonix Valley restaurants & cafés with terraces, that are particularly suitable for families with little ones. By this I mean that they either have 🌈 a play area for children, a grassy area for games, have suitable children’s menus and are NOT located next to main roads (unless there is a secured area). … Continue reading 20+ SUMMER TERRACES for families in the Chamonix Valley!

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)

ACCROBRANCHES ®, GRIMPE d’ARBRE & TYROLIENNES au Pays du Mont-Blanc

With all of our wonderful 🧗‍♂️ rock climbing and Via-Ferrata routes 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc, it is only natural that so many 🌳 accrobranches ® should also appear over recent years! We’ve tried out a few of them, and they are very popular with our 🐵  monkey climbing boys . . . 🌳 some tree climbing terminology: 🌳 accrobranches ® – it is a rope course … Continue reading ACCROBRANCHES ®, GRIMPE d’ARBRE & TYROLIENNES au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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

So, the UTMB has come and gone, so now we can focus on September and 🍁 later autumn sports events . . .  September kicks off every year with the Fêtes du Sport of our local communes au Pays du Mont-Blanc and in the Chamonix Valley, a chance to try out new sports and possibly sign up to a club for the coming year. You’ll find lots … Continue reading SPORTS EVENTS for families au Pays du Mont-Blanc ( autumn 2023 )

FAMILY HIKES: La Cascade de Bérard (LE BUET)

The short hike up to the 💦 Cascade de Bérard, located just above the village of Le Buet (near Vallorcine), is the perfect family outing on a hot ☀️ summer’s day or after 🌧strong rain – you’ll either be refreshed or you’ll see 💦 the waterfall in its rawest, most powerful form! If you head off on this hike in late spring or in early summer, … Continue reading FAMILY HIKES: La Cascade de Bérard (LE BUET)

FAMILY HIKES: La Cabane du Cerro (CHAMONIX)

There are so many wonderful 🏔 hikes au Pays du Mont-Blanc and in the Chamonix Valley and several of them are the perfect length for families with very young (or reluctant) walkers! I have always found (actually, I still do!) that hiking to ☕️ a mountain buvette, with the reward of 🍨 an ice cream or 🍓 a slice or fruit tart, is a great … Continue reading FAMILY HIKES: La Cabane du Cerro (CHAMONIX)

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

FAMILY HIKES: l’Alpage de Charousse (Les Houches)

The hike to 🌼 l’Alpage de Charousse (alpage means high mountain meadow) in Les Houches is one of my favourite short hikes in the Chamonix Valley, and one that MBFF has really enjoyed en famille with two small hikers. Description of hike The main highlight of this walk is arriving at the postcard perfect meadow – 🌼 the Alpage de Charousse (1200m)- when the blue, pink … Continue reading FAMILY HIKES: l’Alpage de Charousse (Les Houches)

SPRING & SUMMER BLOSSOMS and FLOWERS au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

It’s official in Geneva: 🌺 SPRINGTIME has ARRIVED ! The 🌳 Marronnier de la Treille’s first leaf appeared last week, on the 3rd March 2024 – and this is seen in the Helvetian city as the first official day of 🌺 spring! (see below for further explanations). And here are the 🌺 first buds on our Sallanches co-property tree too: 🌷 Springtime: when 🌱 crocuses & snowdrops … Continue reading SPRING & SUMMER BLOSSOMS and FLOWERS au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

« Les Petits Asticots » children’s festival – 21st ⇒ 27th October 2023 ( Pays du Mont-Blanc & Chamonix Valley )

🎭 Les Petits Asticots – the fabulous annual children’s festival 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc & in the Chamonix Valley, which takes place during the 🍁 Toussaint school holidays – will be yet again offering families seven inspirational days of theatre, music, dance, circus and workshops from 21st ⇒ 27th October 2023 ! This year is the 21st edition of the festival! The MBFF family have bsolutely … Continue reading « Les Petits Asticots » children’s festival – 21st ⇒ 27th October 2023 ( Pays du Mont-Blanc & Chamonix Valley )

VERTICALP EMOSSON – a vertiginous day out en famille! (SWITZERLAND)

Currently SHUT ! A couple of 🍁 autumns ago now, MBFF had a super adventure: we were invited to test out 🚃 VerticAlp Emosson ! We had the most gloriously ☀️ sunny day to experience this phenomenal feat of engineering, which also has a rich history. I would say that 🍂 autumn – before closure for the season at the end of October – is the … Continue reading VERTICALP EMOSSON – a vertiginous day out en famille! (SWITZERLAND)

SCIENCE MUSEUMS, EVENTS & ACTIVITIES for families au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

There are several 🧬 BIG SCIENCE EVENTS that occur regularly 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc and beyond, and we have the annual 🧪 La Fête de la Science in autumn ! 🧪 La Fête de la Science – in October (annual); 🧪 La Nuit des Sciences – every two years in Geneva; 🧪 CERN Open Days – every few years, the CERN opens to the public; This got me thinking … Continue reading SCIENCE MUSEUMS, EVENTS & ACTIVITIES for families au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

AUTUMN PARKS & GARDENS au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

🍁 A U T U M N is a lovely season to visit 🌳 parks and gardens: on the trees, a rich palette of gold, rust, brown, red, orange and yellow . . . underfoot, 🍂 a blanket of leaves crunching and sent fluttering when the children find a mound to run through . . . a crisp, and often ☀️ sunny day to accompany your exploits: playing and running, … Continue reading AUTUMN PARKS & GARDENS au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

La Petite Université (CHAMONIX VALLEY)

Did you know that there was a 📚 university in the Chamonix Valley ? It’s called 📚 La Petite Université – Chamonix Mont-Blanc ! What is La Petite Université ? 📚 La Petite Université is an association offering cultural courses and complementary talks, events, outings and 🎨 workshops to people in their leisure time. The aim is to make learning accessible to everyone, and to create a social … Continue reading La Petite Université (CHAMONIX VALLEY)

FAMILY HIKES: Chalet du Glacier des Bossons + télésiège (LES HOUCHES)

The hike to the ☕️ Chalet du Glacier des Bossons is such a popular hike for families . . . but somehow it had eluded us until a couple of summer ago! My elder son studied glaciers at school, and that year his class sortie fin de l’année scolaire was a hike on the other side of the ❄️ Glacier des Bossons, to the ☕️ Cabane du … Continue reading FAMILY HIKES: Chalet du Glacier des Bossons + télésiège (LES HOUCHES)

25 of MBFF’s FAVOURITE FAMILY HIKES au Pays du Mont-Blanc

With a now 12 year old and a 9 year old in tow, the MBFF family is beginning to find its 🏔 hiking mojo (mostly!). Here, below, you will find some of our favourite (and tried and tested!) family hikes 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc, with suggestions for 🥤 buvettes and 🏚 refuges for a snack, lunch or overnight! [ ⇒ for 🏔 general tips on hiking with … Continue reading 25 of MBFF’s FAVOURITE FAMILY HIKES au Pays du Mont-Blanc

Montenvers Mer de Glace & Train (CHAMONIX)

Another great attraction in 🏔 Chamonix on many families’ list is the 🚂 Montenvers cog rail journey up to the ❄️ Mer de Glace glacier (France’s largest glacier, at around 7km long). The 🚂 iconic red train will take you on a relaxing 20 minute journey (around 5km) up the mountainside, through 🌲 forests, viaducts and tunnels cut through the rock, and up to the glacier at 1,913m (an … Continue reading Montenvers Mer de Glace & Train (CHAMONIX)

Lac des Chavants (LES HOUCHES)

💦 Lac des Chavants in Les Houches is a lovely destination for families throughout the year. [ ⚠ note – please note that 💦 Lac des Chavants is NOT a swimming lake! ] These days, the lake is referred to as a Base de Loisirs, as there are so many activities available. You can: 🌲 there are walking paths through the woods (suitable for buggies and … Continue reading Lac des Chavants (LES HOUCHES)

Paradis des Praz (Les Praz-de-Chamonix)

The 🌲 Paradis des Praz is a natural playground, a hidden jewel cocooned in 🌲 the woods, well-known to families living in the region, but perhaps not to those visiting. As well as being a popular spot in the ☀️ summertime, over the winter school holidays the buvette is also often open – so you can have a magical walk through the ❄️ snowy forest and then warm … Continue reading Paradis des Praz (Les Praz-de-Chamonix)