Category: Museums & Exhibitions

Animal Antics, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Cable Cars, Chairlifts & Tramways, Castles & Fortresses, Cluses & environs, Crest-Voland, Filenvol, Forest & Woodland, Further France, Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Hiking & Strolling, Les Grandes Médiévales d'Andilly, Museums & Exhibitions, Parks & Gardens, Playgrounds & Softplay, Weekend Escapes

10 ideas for LES VACANCES de la TOUSSAINT au Pays du Mont-Blanc

And so, 🍁 les Vacances de la Toussaint are upon us, and right after the government’s announcement for new measures to repel the rising cases of Covid-19 (and the decision yesterday from the 🇨🇭 Swiss canton of Valais to bring in more restrictions!). Perhaps your travel plans have changed, or you have decided to stay home? Perhaps you were heading to a big city, but … Continue reading 10 ideas for LES VACANCES de la TOUSSAINT au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Agendas & Events, Annecy & environs, Annemasse & environs, Argentière, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Chamonix, Chamonix Valley, Cluses & environs, Combloux, Further France, Haute-Savoie, Hiking & Strolling, La Réserve Naturelle de Passy, Lac Vert, Les Houches, Megève & Environs, Museums & Exhibitions, Passy & Environs, Plaine-Joux, Praz-sur-Arly, Sallanches, Sallanches & Environs, Servoz, St Gervais, Vallorcine

10 ideas for JEUX de PISTE and CHASSE au TRESOR au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

This summer there are more 🔍 jeux de piste and 💰 chasses au trésor (treasure hunts) available for family fun than ever before 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc and beyond.  These 🗺 treasure hunts take all sorts of different forms: ☀️❄️ FREE ephemeral summer  trails; 🦌 trails to learn about the local patrimoine or nature & animals; 🔍 solving puzzles and following clues along the way … Continue reading 10 ideas for JEUX de PISTE and CHASSE au TRESOR au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

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Museums & Exhibitions

OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITIONS au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

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 (and beyond)

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Babies & Toddlers, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Forest & Woodland, Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Hiking & Strolling, Museums & Exhibitions, Passy, Passy & Environs, Passy Hikes & Strolls

BUGGY STROLLS: Parcours de l’Eau Artistique (Arve River, PASSY)

Each new spring season, ❄️ the  snow melts and the 🌷 first spring flowers peep up shyly from the lawns; this re-awakening of nature is the perfect invitation for a buggy stroll . . . Early in 🌷 the spring season there may still be too much ❄️ snow along the river paths at higher altitude in 🏔 the Pays du Mont-Blanc, but there is a lovely stretch … Continue reading BUGGY STROLLS: Parcours de l’Eau Artistique (Arve River, PASSY)

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Castles & Fortresses, Further France, Hiking & Strolling, Museums & Exhibitions, Parks & Gardens, Rainy Days, Theatre, Dance & Music, Weekend Escapes

GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY & CULTURE LESSON – learning about Paris (primary level)

I woke up a few weeks back now, on my 🐿 10th Groundhog Day, and decided that I would like to take the boys to 🗺 Paris . . . They have been asking to go for a while now, and I’ve always told them that we would go once they were old enough to be able to walk a fair distance without complaining (as … Continue reading GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY & CULTURE LESSON – learning about Paris (primary level)

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Museums & Exhibitions, Rainy Days

ART HISTORY LESSON – teaching your children about VINCENT van GOGH from your home!

I first got really up close and personal with 🌻 Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890), his artistic genius and his personal demons, when I studied him for part of my GCSE art class (eek, 30 years ago!) . . . I made my dad sit on a decrepit old garden chair in our 🌸 springtime suburban garden, and then I painted him Van Gogh-style, with ☕️ a cup … Continue reading ART HISTORY LESSON – teaching your children about VINCENT van GOGH from your home!

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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, right near the 🏔 Pays du Mont-Blanc! 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 by the Natural History Museum, London), … Continue reading « Wildlife Photographer of the Year » (Forte di Bard, ITALY)

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Aosta Valley, Aosta Valley Castles, Castello Gamba (modern & contemporary art), Castles & Fortresses, Italy, Museums & Exhibitions, Parks & Gardens, Uncategorized

CASTELLO GAMBA – modern & contemporary art in the Aosta Valley (ITALY)

Every visit to the 🇮🇹 Aosta Valley unveils another wonder to the MBFF family . . . On one of our last visits (back in the spring of 2019!), we stumbled – quite by chance – upon 🖼 a modern & contemporary art museum IN a 🏰 20th century castle overlooking the valley! I did know that one of the 🏰 Aosta Valley castles (the valley is know … Continue reading CASTELLO GAMBA – modern & contemporary art in the Aosta Valley (ITALY)

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Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Further France, Le Parc Zoologique (Lyon), Lyon, Mini World Lyon, Museums & Exhibitions, Parc de la Tête d'Or, Rainy Days, Weekend Escapes

MINI WORLD LYON – a unique & fabulous family visit!

When my friend heard that we were to spend the weekend in Lyon during the Toussaint holidays, she asked if we were heading to Mini World Lyon, to see the Harry Potter Lego® exhibition: « L’expo-dont-on-ne-doit-pas-prononcer-le-nom » . . . and that got me wondering if I would be able to fit in a visit to our already busy weekend in Lyon, as I have two … Continue reading MINI WORLD LYON – a unique & fabulous family visit!

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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 last year, 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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Agendas & Events, Annecy & environs, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Chamonix Museums, Chamonix Valley Nature Reserves, Cluses & environs, Further France, Geneva, Geneva Museums, Haute-Savoie, La Réserve Naturelle de Passy, Lausanne, Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle, Museums & Exhibitions, Rainy Days, Sallanches Museums, Switzerland, Weekend Escapes, Workshops & Stages

SCIENCE ACTIVITIES & MUSEUMS 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 🧪 La Fête de la Science approaching fast! 🧪 La Fête de la Science – from 2nd ⇒ 12th October 2020 (annual); 🧪 La Nuit des Sciences – every two years in Geneva; 🧪 CERN Open Days – every few years, CERN opens to the public; This got me thinking … Continue reading SCIENCE ACTIVITIES & MUSEUMS for families au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

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Agendas & Events, Geneva Museums, Le Chalet des Créateurs, Le Jardin des Cimes, Les Houches Cinébus, MAH - Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, MEG - Musée d'Ethnographie de Genève, Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle, Museums & Exhibitions, Rainy Days, Workshops & Stages

LES MERCREDIS – nature, creative activities, sport and relaxation for children au Pays du Mont-Blanc

[ La Rentrée 2020-2021 UPDATE ! ] WEDNESDAYS are, in many of the 🏔 Pays du Mont-Blanc communes, a day free from scholastic duties (for young children, at least!). A day to perhaps explore a new ⚽️ sport or 🎨 leisure activity, 🏡 to relax at home or to head to garderie . . . [ ⇒ see article 📚 La Rentrée for more details about clubs and associations to … Continue reading LES MERCREDIS – nature, creative activities, sport and relaxation for children au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Agendas & Events, Babies & Toddlers, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Cinemas, Further France, Geneva, Hiking & Strolling, Italy, Lakes & Swimming, Museums & Exhibitions, Parks & Gardens, Playgrounds & Softplay, Rainy Days, Switzerland, Theatre, Dance & Music, Weekend Escapes, Yoga & Spas

AUTUMN ACTIVITIES au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

🍁 AUTUMN is my favourite time of year . . . all of a sudden, one notices that there are some shades of 🍂 orange, brown and gold on the otherwise 🍃 green palette of trees . . . 🍂 the odd brown leaf flutters to the ground, and soon there is a crunchy carpet underfoot . . . autumn is the perfect season to … Continue reading AUTUMN ACTIVITIES au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

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Agendas & Events, Annecy & environs, Annecy Hikes & Strolls, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Further France, Museums & Exhibitions, Parks & Gardens, Weekend Escapes

« ANNECY PAYSAGES » en famille (ANNECY)

I had been wanting to see and experience 🖼 « Annecy Paysages » ever since its conception in the summer of 2018 . . . and last summer, on ☀️ a beautiful sunny day, I finally found a window for a visit en famille. Despite it still being ☀️ summer holiday season, and BUSY, we still had a fabulous time. 🖼 « Annecy Paysages » is a festival that … Continue reading « ANNECY PAYSAGES » en famille (ANNECY)

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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)

🐧 Muséum Genève, Geneva’s natural history museum, has been our go-to museum for ☔️ rainy days for the last 9 years! We have – over the years – pushed a 💤 sleeping baby around the exhibits here, watched our toddlers crawl, run and topple over here, and we have spent plenty of time running after them too! (now we actually have time to read the … 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 sleeping (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 in the … Continue reading Barryland – Musée et Chiens du Saint-Bernard (Martigny)

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Further France, Hiking & Strolling, La Maison du Salève, Museums & Exhibitions, Parks & Gardens, Salève & environs, Workshops & Stages

La Maison du Salève (PRÉSILLY)

A visit to 🌳 La Maison du Salève makes for a wonderful family day out . . . originally an 18th century farm from the Chartreuse de Pomier (La Ferme de Mikerne – see here for more history), the building has been renovated to host a cultural centre recounting the history of the ⛰ Salève mountain and its environs (a permanent interactive exhibition and temporary exhibitions) . . . … Continue reading La Maison du Salève (PRÉSILLY)

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Agendas & Events, Babies & Toddlers, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Cinemas, Further France, Geneva, Hiking & Strolling, Italy, Lakes & Swimming, Museums & Exhibitions, Parks & Gardens, Playgrounds & Softplay, Rainy Days, Switzerland, Theatre, Dance & Music, Weekend Escapes, Yoga & Spas

SUMMER ACTIVITIES au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

I thought it might be useful to have at hand on one general list 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 June, July or August, here are perhaps some fresh ideas for summer activities, come ☔️ rain or … Continue reading SUMMER ACTIVITIES au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

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Agendas & Events, Babies & Toddlers, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Cinemas, Further France, Geneva, Hiking & Strolling, Italy, Lakes & Swimming, Museums & Exhibitions, Parks & Gardens, Playgrounds & Softplay, Rainy Days, Switzerland, Theatre, Dance & Music, Weekend Escapes, Yoga & Spas

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

The ❄️ snow on the ski pistes starts to soften under ☀️ the golden spring sunshine, and slowly disappears from alpine town and village centres . . . and then the ski stations shut . . . 🌷 spring flowers shoot up overnight . . . and 🌳 parks and 🌷 gardens re-open . . . and then it is the season once again for hiking . . . a season when … Continue reading SPRINGTIME ACTIVITIES au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

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Aosta Valley Castles, Babies & Toddlers, Barryland - St-Bernard Museum, Centre Sportif Richard Bozon, Chamonix, Chamonix Médiathèque, Chamonix Museums, Cinemas, Forte di Bard, Geneva Museums, La Fondation Pierre Gianadda, Lac Léman, Le Musée Montagnard Les Houches, Le Palais des Sports, Les Gorges de la Diosaz, MAH - Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, Maison de la Créativité, Martigny Museums, Médiathèque Ange Abrate Sallanches, MEG - Musée d'Ethnographie de Genève, Megève Ice-Skating, Megève Médiathèque, Megève Swimming, Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle, Museums & Exhibitions, Rainy Days, Sallanches, Sallanches Bowling, Sallanches Cinema, Sallanches Museums, Sallanches Softplay, St Gervais Ice-Skating, Switzerland, Vallorcine Swimming & Spa, Vitam (Neydens), Workshops & Stages, Yoga & Spas

RAINY DAYS au Pays du Mont-Blanc

[ note: please check Covid-19 restrictions for entrance (online reservations, face-masks, limited numbers, etc . . . ] You have perhaps heard that saying ☔️ “ there’s no such thing as bad weather; just badly dressed people “ ? (I heard this several times on a couple of work trips to 🇮🇸 Iceland!) . . . that may well be, but even the strongest of resolves can be broken … Continue reading RAINY DAYS au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Agendas & Events, Babies & Toddlers, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Cinemas, Hiking & Strolling, Museums & Exhibitions, Parks & Gardens, Skiing, Sledging & Ice-Skating, Snowy Days, Theatre, Dance & Music, Workshops & Stages, Yoga & Spas

BABY & TODDLER activities au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

When I had my first baby 9 years ago, I had just moved to a new town 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc . . . I was quite lonely and keen to find baby activities and playgroups in order to get out and about and to socialise a bit! Progressively, I discovered the 🌈 playgroups that were available locally for parents and babies . . . but … Continue reading BABY & TODDLER activities au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

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2KM3 Car Park, Agendas & Events, Annecy & environs, Annemasse & environs, Barryland - St-Bernard Museum, Chamonix Museums, Forte di Bard, Geneva Museums, La Fondation Pierre Gianadda, Le Musée Montagnard Les Houches, MAH - Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, Maison de la Créativité, Martigny Museums, MEG - Musée d'Ethnographie de Genève, Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle, Museums & Exhibitions, Parent Pampering, Rainy Days, Saint Nicolas de Véroce, Sallanches Museums, Weekend Escapes, Workshops & Stages

MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

We are lucky to have some 🖼 wonderful museums 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc, many housed in architectural gems (old, new and renovated). . . and as well as their permanent collections, they also offer 🎨 temporary exhibitions and workshops for children and families over the school holidays! And if we venture further than the 🏔 Pays du Mont-Blanc: 🇫🇷 to Cluses, to Annemasse, to la Maison du Salève, to Annecy, to … Continue reading MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

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Agendas & Events, Annecy & environs, Babies & Toddlers, Further France, Geneva, Geneva Museums, MAH - Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, MEG - Musée d'Ethnographie de Genève, Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle, Museums & Exhibitions, Rainy Days, Workshops & Stages

[ Geneva, Nyon, Cluses & Annecy ] – FREE museums on FIRST SUNDAY of the month!

Throughout the year in 🇨🇭 Geneva and Nyon, from 🗓 September ⇒ May in 🇫🇷 Cluses, and from 🗓 October ⇒ May in 🇫🇷 Annecy, several 🖼 museums & temporary exhibitions are FREE on the 🗓 FIRST Sunday of the month! In addition, the museums often put on some 🎨 wonderful workshops & guided tours for children and families (also FREE) on this day. The next FREE Sunday will be this 🗓 … Continue reading [ Geneva, Nyon, Cluses & Annecy ] – FREE museums on FIRST SUNDAY of the month!

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"Made in", Le Chalet des Créateurs, Museums & Exhibitions, Shopping & Crafts, St Gervais, St Gervais & Environs, Workshops & Stages

Le Chalet des Créateurs (Saint-Gervais-les-Bains)

🎨 Le Chalet des Créateurs in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains is a fabulous venture, bringing together: 🖼 a gallery showcasing local creative talent (45+ créateurs, with collections changing with each season); 🎁 a boutique with unique hand-made, local goods and gifts to buy; 🎨 a centre providing workshops for children and adults throughout the year (and especially during the school holidays); a workshop for local artists; A little history Charlotte Paget is the protagonist in this … Continue reading Le Chalet des Créateurs (Saint-Gervais-les-Bains)

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2KM3 Car Park, Agendas & Events, Museums & Exhibitions, Rainy Days, St Gervais, St Gervais & Environs

2KM3 – when a car park becomes ARTWORK! (Saint-Gervais)

A few years back, a contingent of the MBFF team (the youngest member and myself) headed off on 🎨 a voyage of art exploration and discovery . . . to the newly painted multi-storey 🚙 car park in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains: 🎨 2KM3. This art project really is a masterpiece: an alternative museum of street art, a FREE museum, a museum open every day of the year! Parking … Continue reading 2KM3 – when a car park becomes ARTWORK! (Saint-Gervais)

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