Category: Parks & Gardens

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

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

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 … Continue reading 25+ SUMMER ACTIVITIES au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

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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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"Made in", Babies & Toddlers, Forest & Woodland, Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Le Fayet, Le Parc Thermal, Parent Pampering, Parks & Gardens, Rainy Days, Snowy Days, St Gervais & Environs, Yoga & Spas

Les Thermes de Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc en famille (LE FAYET)

Having already re-opened under the L’Oréal Paris label, 💦 Les Thermes de Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc underwent a huge renovation project a couple of years ago . . . These 💦 thermal baths are nestled in a verdant and bucolic spot at the bottom of 🌳 the Parc Thermal in Le Fayet : 💦 in the gorge du Bonnant and next to the Cascade des Thermes. … Continue reading Les Thermes de Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc en famille (LE FAYET)

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Agendas & Events, Aosta, Aosta Valley, AQUATIS Aquarium & Vivarium, Babies & Toddlers, Barryland - St-Bernard Museum, Castello Gamba (modern & contemporary art), Castles & Fortresses, CJBG - Geneva's Botanical Gardens, Forte di Bard, Geneva, Geneva Museums, Italy, La Fondation Pierre Gianadda, Lausanne, MAH - Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, Maison de la Créativité, Martigny, Martigny Museums, MEG - Musée d'Ethnographie de Genève, Musée du Léman et Aquarium, Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle, Museums & Exhibitions, Nyon, Parent Pampering, Parks & Gardens, Rainy Days, Switzerland, Weekend Escapes

MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS in nearby SWITZERLAND

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 🏔  Pays du Mont-Blanc, as we … Continue reading MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS in nearby SWITZERLAND

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Agendas & Events, Babies & Toddlers, Museums & Exhibitions, Parks & Gardens, Rainy Days, Weekend Escapes

MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS in nearby FRANCE

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, many also offer 🖼 temporary exhibitions and 🎨 workshops for children and families over the school holidays! [ ⇒ see MBFF article about 🖼 MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS au Pays du Mont-Blanc here and 🖼 OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITIONS & EPHEMERAL OUTDOOR … Continue reading MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS in nearby FRANCE

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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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Babies & Toddlers, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Forest & Woodland, Hiking & Strolling, Parks & Gardens, Playgrounds & Softplay

MBFF’s 20 favourite PICNIC SPOTS (with small children) au Pays du Mont-Blanc!

A 🍏 picnic en famille gets everyone outdoors, and is often accompanied by a short walk or activity with 🏔 superb views! In this article, I shall share with you 🍏 MBFF’s favourite (tried and tested!) picnic spots, specifically for families with babies and small children. That means that they are all easily accessible and with no dangerous precipices nearby! Being easy to access also means that most … Continue reading MBFF’s 20 favourite PICNIC SPOTS (with small children) au Pays du Mont-Blanc!

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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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Agendas & Events, Aosta Valley, Aosta Valley Castles, Arboretum de Ripaille, Arboretum National du Vallon de l’Aubonne, Aubonne, Chamonix, Chamonix Hikes & Strolls, Chamonix Parks & Gardens, Chamonix Valley, CJBG - Geneva's Botanical Gardens, Evian, Geneva, Hiking & Strolling, Italy, Jaÿsinia Jardin Alpin in Samoëns, Lac d'Annecy & environs, Lago Maggiore, Le Jardin des 5 Sens, Le Jardin des Cimes, Les Houches, Les Houches Hikes & Strolls, Les Jardins de l'Eau du Pré Curieux, Les Jardins Secrets Vaulx, Morges, Parc La Grange, Parks & Gardens, Passy, Passy & Environs, Plateau d'Assy, Saillon, Salève & environs, Sallanches, Sallanches & Environs, Sallanches Hikes & Strolls, Samoëns, Switzerland, Thonon-les-Bains, Weekend Escapes, Yvoire

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)

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"Made in", Biking, Scooting & Skating, Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Hiking & Strolling, La Passerelle Himalayenne, Lac Vert, Le Jardin des Cimes, Parks & Gardens, Passy, Passy & Environs, Passy Hikes & Strolls, Plaine-Joux, Plaine-Joux Snow Shoeing, Plaine-Joux Sport & Adventure, Plateau d'Assy, Snowy Days

La Passerelle Himalayenne du Nant Bordon (PLATEAU d’ASSY)

The 🌉 Passerelle Himalayenne in Plateau d’Assy, which straddles the 💦 Nant Bordon ravine and allows you to access the 💦 Lac Vert via the original route du Lac Vert, was inaugurated on the 21st December 2019 . . . and since then, MBFF has been across it (and back) THREE times! On our most recent crossing, some Tibetan prayer flags had been attached to the … Continue reading La Passerelle Himalayenne du Nant Bordon (PLATEAU d’ASSY)

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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 visits, 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 as The Valley of 100 Castles!) housed … Continue reading CASTELLO GAMBA – modern & contemporary art in the Aosta Valley (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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Hiking & Strolling, Parks & Gardens, Sallanches, Sallanches & Environs, Sallanches Hikes & Strolls

MAGICAL MÉDONNET & LA PESSE: the ethereal woods & boulders

The MBFF tribe is a huge fan of 🌳 woodland and forest . . . for me personally, entering a forest immediately brings back memories of childhood visits en famille to 🌳Fontainebleau, and other magical worlds inhabited by 🧚‍♀️ fairies and 🧝‍♀️ elves – with 🧗‍♀️ bouldering, 🍏 picnics all year-round, and cabane-making on the agenda . . . We are so lucky 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc to … Continue reading MAGICAL MÉDONNET & LA PESSE: the ethereal woods & boulders

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Aosta Valley, Arboretum de Ripaille, Arboretum National du Vallon de l’Aubonne, Babies & Toddlers, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Castello Gamba (modern & contemporary art), Castles & Fortresses, CJBG - Geneva's Botanical Gardens, Evian, Geneva, Hiking & Strolling, Italy, Jaÿsinia Jardin Alpin in Samoëns, La Fondation Pierre Gianadda, La Maison du Salève, Le Jardin des 5 Sens, Le Jardin des Cimes, Le Parc Thermal, Le Parc Zoologique (Lyon), Les Jardins de l'Eau du Pré Curieux, Les Jardins Secrets Vaulx, Lyon, Maison de la Créativité, Martigny, Parc Animalier d’Introd, Parc aux Animaux du Bois-de-la-Bâtie, Parc de Loisirs du Pontet, Parc de Merlet Animal Park, Parc de la Tête d'Or, Parc La Grange, Parks & Gardens, Plateau d'Assy, Playgrounds & Softplay, Switzerland, Weekend Escapes, Yvoire, Zoo des Marécottes, Zoo la Garenne

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)

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Agendas & Events, Annecy Paysages, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Further France, Haute-Savoie, Lac d'Annecy & environs, Lac d'Annecy Hikes & Strolls, 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 a few summers ago, on ☀️ a beautiful sunny day, we 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 … Continue reading « ANNECY PAYSAGES » en famille (ANNECY)

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

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) . . . and … Continue reading Maison du Salève (PRÉSILLY)

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Babies & Toddlers, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Cafés & Restaurants, Chamonix, Chamonix Hikes & Strolls, Chamonix Playgrounds, Chamonix Valley, Forest & Woodland, Hiking & Strolling, Le Paradis des Praz, Parks & Gardens, Playgrounds & Softplay, Snowy Days

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)

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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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Agendas & Events, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Further France, Haute-Savoie, Les Grandes Médiévales d'Andilly, Parks & Gardens, Shopping & Crafts, Theatre, Dance & Music, Uncategorized, Weekend Escapes, Workshops & Stages

Les Grandes Médiévales d’Andilly (27th ⇒ 29th May and 3rd & 4th June 2023!)

A few years ago now, the MBFF tribe headed to the 🎪 Les Grandes Médiévales d’Andilly with some friends and their children. We had a fabulous day ; it was a memorable day . . . So, what do you need to know about this 🎪 fabulous family event? What are Les Grandes Médiévales d’Andilly? 🎪 Les Grandes Médiévales d’Andilly is a medieval event for the whole family, which … Continue reading Les Grandes Médiévales d’Andilly (27th ⇒ 29th May and 3rd & 4th June 2023!)

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Chamonix Valley, Hiking & Strolling, Lac des Chavants, Les Houches, Les Houches Hikes & Strolls, Parcours d'Orientation Lac des Chavants, Parks & Gardens

PARCOURS d’ORIENTATION au Lac des Chavants (Les Houches)

A few years ago no, MBFF asked 🌈 Baby-Cham (a babysitting service in the Chamonix Valley) to head out on one of the new 🗺 Chamonix Valley orienteering circuits and to report back on the experience. Its team braved ☀️ the summer heat and did a superb job testing out the 🌲 Bois du Bouchet (Chamonix) and the 💦 Lac des Chavants (Les Houches) parcours. [ ⇒ read about Baby-Cham’s … Continue reading PARCOURS d’ORIENTATION au Lac des Chavants (Les Houches)

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Annemasse & environs, Filenvol, Further France, Parks & Gardens, Playgrounds & Softplay

FILENVOL – capers high up in the trees (near Annemasse)

🌳 Filenvol is a FABULOUS place to go with children, and especially with 🍁 the colours of autumn in full swing! On our visits in autumn, I was personally won over by the location (before the fun in the trees even began), as the afternoon light filtering through the 🍂 golden leaves was magical. And then I heard the laughter of children and adults alike, as … Continue reading FILENVOL – capers high up in the trees (near Annemasse)

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Argentière, Chamonix, Chamonix Hikes & Strolls, Chamonix Valley, Hiking & Strolling, Lac des Chavants, Les Houches, Parcours d'Orientation Lac des Chavants, Parcours d’Orientation Bois du Bouchet, Parks & Gardens, Servoz, Vallorcine

BABY-CHAM goes orienteering in the Chamonix Valley!

A couple of years ago, 🌈 Baby-Cham (the owner of the company and her little helpers) went to test out a couple of the (then) new 🧭 parcours d’orientation (orienteering routes) in the 🏔 Chamonix Valley. You may have seen some of the maps in your local tourist offices or on large panels on-site? The Chamonix Valley has developed 6 orienteering routes for you to enjoy, … Continue reading BABY-CHAM goes orienteering in the Chamonix Valley!

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Babies & Toddlers, Le Jardin des Cimes, Parks & Gardens, Passy & Environs, Plateau d'Assy, Workshops & Stages, Yoga & Spas

Jardin des Cimes (PLATEAU d’ASSY)

🌻 Le Jardin des Cimes is a truly 🌷 magical alpine garden, with breathtaking views of 🏔 the Mont-Blanc massif. These very special gardens have captured our imagination on each of our visits and our children are always eager to show them off to our visitors! 🌻 Le Jardin des Cimes never loses its charm and each season brings new surprises 🌻 Le Jardin des Cimes (“ Garden of … Continue reading Jardin des Cimes (PLATEAU d’ASSY)

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Agendas & Events, Babies & Toddlers, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Hiking & Strolling, Lac Léman, Lakes & Swimming, Morges, Parks & Gardens, Playgrounds & Softplay, Switzerland, Weekend Escapes

« Fête de la Tulipe » in Morges ( 29th March ⇒ 12th May 2024 )

🇨🇭🌷 « La Fête de la Tulipe » in Morges celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020, and this year’s 53rd edition will run from 29th March ⇒ 12th May 2024 . . . You don’t have to travel too far from the 🏔 Pays du Mont-Blanc to experience total dépaysement, to distance yourself from the mountain valleys and high snowy peaks; just the other side of 🇨🇭 … Continue reading « Fête de la Tulipe » in Morges ( 29th March ⇒ 12th May 2024 )

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