Category: Passy & Environs

Annecy & environs, Combloux Swimming, Geneva, Lac de Passy, Lac Léman, Lacs des Ilettes, Lakes & Swimming, Les Contamines Sport & Adventure, Plan d'Eau Biotope, Weekend Escapes

Lakes & Watersports au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

Au Pays du Mont-Blanc we are lucky to have several swimming lakes with stunning mountain views . . . while the perfect spot for strolling and biking in autumn and winter, come the balmy days of spring and summer, the water warms and the lakes start to get busy with bathers and watersport enthusiasts (at Lac de Passy and Lacs des Ilettes: windsurfing, paddle boarding, SUP yoga, … Continue reading Lakes & Watersports au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

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Annecy & environs, Babies & Toddlers, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Chamonix, Chamonix Valley, Cinemas, Combloux, Cordon, Further France, Hiking & Strolling, Lac Léman, Lakes & Swimming, Le Fayet, Les Contamines & Environs, Les Houches, Megève, Megève & Environs, Museums & Exhibitions, Parent Pampering, Parks, Woods & Gardens, Passy & Environs, Plaine-Joux, Plateau d'Assy, Playgrounds & Softplay, Praz-sur-Arly, Rainy Days, Sallanches, Sallanches & Environs, Servoz, Sledging & Ice-Skating, St Gervais, St Gervais & Environs, Switzerland, Vallorcine, Weekend Escapes

SUMMER ACTIVITIES for families 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) this summertime . . . so, if you reside au Pays du Mont-Blanc, or if you are visiting the Pays du Mont-Blanc this July & August, here are perhaps some fresh ideas for summer activities for families, come rain or shine . … Continue reading SUMMER ACTIVITIES for families au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

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Agendas & Events, Annecy & environs, Aosta Valley, Argentière Events, Babies & Toddlers, Chamonix Events, Combloux Events, Cordon Events, Domancy Events, Evian, Geneva Events, Les Contamines Events, Les Houches Events, Martigny, Megève Events, Passy Events, Praz-sur-Arly Events, Rainy Days, Sallanches Events, Servoz Events, St Gervais Events, Theatre, Dance & Music, Weekend Escapes

SUMMER AGENDA – family festivals & events au Pays du Mont-Blanc

The school summer holidays have arrived here au Pays du Mont-Blanc . . . some of us may be going away, some of us may be staying in the mountains, many of you may be visiting our majestic peaks, valleys and lakes! So here is a list of some of the FAMILY FESTIVALS & EVENTS taking place over the summer months au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and a little further … Continue reading SUMMER AGENDA – family festivals & events au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Aiguille du Midi, Chamonix, Chamonix Hikes & Strolls, Chamonix Valley, Combloux, Combloux Hikes & Strolls, Cordon, Cordon Hikes & Strolls, Hiking & Strolling, Lacs des Ilettes, Les Contamines, Les Contamines & Environs, Les Houches, Les Houches Hikes & Strolls, Montenvers Train, Passy, Passy & Environs, Passy Hikes & Strolls, Praz-sur-Arly, Praz-sur-Arly Hikes & Strolls, Sallanches, Sallanches & Environs, Sallanches Hikes & Strolls, Servoz, St Gervais, St Gervais & Environs, Vallorcine

MBFF’s recommended family hikes au Pays du Mont-Blanc

With a now seven year old and a four year old in tow, the MBFF family is beginning to find its hiking mojo (we hope).  The snow levels at altitude are still quite impressive this spring/summer season 2018 au Pays du Mont-Blanc, and our local refuges have had their work cut out to open in time to accommodate hikers, but we hope to get out in … Continue reading MBFF’s recommended family hikes au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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

Le Jardin des Cimes (Plateau d’Assy)

Le Jardin des Cimes is a truly magical garden at altitude, with breathtaking views of the Mont Blanc Massif. Le Jardin des Cimes (“Garden of the Summits”) has revitalised the area of Plateau d’Assy; not only are the garden and café a delight for locals and tourists alike, but jobs have been created and there are plenty of activities and workshops on offer for families and schools, as well … Continue reading Le Jardin des Cimes (Plateau d’Assy)

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Agendas & Events, Annecy & environs, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Chamonix, Chamonix Events, Chamonix Hikes & Strolls, Chamonix Valley, Cluses & environs, Combloux, Combloux Events, Combloux Hikes & Strolls, Combloux Sport & Adventure, Domancy, Domancy Events, Geneva Events, Lac de Passy, Megève & Environs, Megève Events, Passy, Passy & Environs, Passy Events, Passy Hikes & Strolls, Sallanches, Sallanches & Environs, Sallanches Events, Sallanches Hikes & Strolls, Sallanches Sport & Adventure, Sallanches Swimming

Sports Events for Families au Pays du Mont-Blanc

The season for trail running, triathlons, half-marathons, marathons, bike races, ultra races is now upon us . . . and if you like taking part IN (or being a spectator AT) sports events, then there are plenty of options au Pays du Mont-Blanc and beyond . . . Many of the upcoming sporting events have options for families and children, big and small . . . … Continue reading Sports Events for Families au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Agendas & Events, Annecy & environs, 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, La Maison du Salève, 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, Woods & Gardens, Passy, Passy & Environs, Plateau d'Assy, Saillon, Salève & environs, Sallanches, Sallanches & Environs, Sallanches Hikes & Strolls, Samoëns, Switzerland, Thonon-les-Bains, Weekend Escapes, Yvoire

Springtime Blossoms & Flowers au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

With the plentiful snowfall of this winter season au Pays du Mont-Blanc, it is hard to imagine that we have now officially entered a new season . . .🌷🌹🌺🌱SPRING🌹🌺🌷🌱 !!! When crocuses first timidly reach out to the sun from their bed of grass, when the first almond and cherry blossoms appear in their splendid hues of pink, when magnolia trees blossom in splendid glory, when spring flower … Continue reading Springtime Blossoms & Flowers au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

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3D Nordic - Husky Dog Sledding & Canirando, Agendas & Events, Babies & Toddlers, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Hiking & Strolling, Lac de Passy, Lac des Chavants, Lakes & Swimming, Le Jardin des Cimes, Le Paradis des Praz, Museums & Exhibitions, Parks, Woods & Gardens, Playgrounds & Softplay, Rainy Days, Sallanches Softplay, Theatre, Dance & Music

Baby & Toddler Activities au Pays du Mont-Blanc

When I had my first baby seven years ago, I had just moved to a new town in the Pays du Mont-Blanc, away from a network of friends . . . I rather short-sightedly thought that this would be the opportunity to make new discoveries, and to have new adventures.  In effect, it was . . . but at times I was also incredibly lonely, … Continue reading Baby & Toddler Activities au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Babies & Toddlers, Passy, Passy & Environs, Plaine-Joux, Plaine-Joux Skiing, Plaine-Joux Snow Shoeing, Plaine-Joux Sport & Adventure, Skiing, Workshops & Stages

Plaine-Joux Skiing (Passy)

*NB Plaine-Joux ski station is now shut for the 2017/2018 ski season* While the children are young and learning how to ski, or if you have beginner skiers in your group, then Plaine-Joux in Passy is the ideal ski station au Pays du Mont-Blanc for multiple reasons: it’s a small, family-oriented ski resort; there are 12km of wide, gentle, sunny pistes (green, blue and red) with stunning … Continue reading Plaine-Joux Skiing (Passy)

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Argentière Sledging, Babies & Toddlers, Chamonix Sledging, Combloux Sledging, Cordon Sledging, Crest-Voland, Hiking & Strolling, Les Contamines Sledging, Les Houches Sledging, Megève Sledging, Plaine-Joux Sledging, Praz-sur-Arly Sledging, Saint Nicolas de Véroce Sledging, Saint-Gervais-les-Bains sledging, Servoz Sledging, Sledging & Ice-Skating, Snowy Days, Vallorcine Sledging

Pistes de Luge au Pays du Mont-Blanc

❄November snowfall au Pays du Mont-Blanc!❄ . . . walking knee-deep (or shoulder-deep for the little ones!) in the snow, snowball fights, making a snowman (or perhaps a snowcat or other snow animal) . . . and sledging fun!  When the first November snowfall arrived last year, the MBFF team headed up to Plaine-Joux in Passy for some fun on a luge . . . except that … Continue reading Pistes de Luge au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Gypaètes Barbus © Antoine Rezer Photography
Agendas & Events, Passy, Passy & Environs, Passy Events, Workshops & Stages

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

The gypaète barbu is celebrating two big birthdays this year: 30 years since its successful re-introduction into France (1987), and 20 years since the first gypaète was born in the Alps (1997). And so, to celebrate within the domain of the convention Rencontres Internationales du Gypaète Barbu (10th to 12th November), Asters, Conservatoire d’Espaces Naturels has put together a fantastic programme for the whole family this … Continue reading Bon Anniversaire, Gypaète Barbu! (© Antoine Rezer Photography)

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Babies & Toddlers, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Combloux, Combloux Hikes & Strolls, Hiking & Strolling, Lac de Passy, Lacs des Ilettes, Lakes & Swimming, Passy, Passy Hikes & Strolls, Plaine-Joux, Sallanches, Sallanches Hikes & Strolls

Family strolls with small children: lakes in autumn au Pays du Mont-Blanc

After a visit to Japan during the magical time of «autumn leaves», I never thought that autumn would inspire me in the same way again . . . But then I returned home to the Pays du Mont-Blanc, and was charmed all over again by the palette of red, ochre, gold and orange covering the trees, crunching under my feet and reflected in the lakes of … Continue reading Family strolls with small children: lakes in autumn au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Agendas & Events, Babies & Toddlers, Chamonix, Chamonix Events, Chamonix Valley, Les Houches, Les Houches Events, Passy, Passy & Environs, Passy Events, Rainy Days, Sallanches & Environs, Sallanches Events, Salle Léon Curral, Servoz, Servoz Events, St Gervais & Environs, St Gervais Events, Theatre, Dance & Music, Vallorcine, Vallorcine Events, Workshops & Stages

Festival «Les Petits Asticots» (Pays du Mont-Blanc)

«Les Petits Asticots» – is an annual children’s festival au Pays du Mont-Blanc – it takes place during the Toussaint school holidays and provides families with six inspirational days of theatre, music, dance, circus and workshops! The MBFF team absolutely LOVE «Les Petits Asticots» – not only are the shows of high quality, the festival is local and its timing during the Toussaint holidays is just so welcome … Continue reading Festival «Les Petits Asticots» (Pays du Mont-Blanc)

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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 – workshops, sport & creative activities for children au Pays du Mont-Blanc

Each year, during the period just after La Rentrée – up and down the valley – there were plentiful events for children and parents to find out more about possible activities/sports to sign-up for, either on Wednesdays or on other days of the week; there are forums and portes ouvertes from: MJC Chamonix; FJEP Passy; MJC Saint-Gervais; various sports clubs au Pays du Mont-Blanc (Fêtes des Sports in … Continue reading Les mercredis – workshops, sport & creative activities for children au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Chamonix Hikes & Strolls, Combloux Hikes & Strolls, Cordon Hikes & Strolls, Hiking & Strolling, Le Fayet Hikes & Strolls, Le Jardin des Cimes, Le Parc Thermal, Les Gorges de la Diosaz, Parc de Merlet Animal Park, Parks, Woods & Gardens, Passy Hikes & Strolls, Praz-sur-Arly Hikes & Strolls, Sallanches Hikes & Strolls

FAMILY HIKES – tips for hiking with small children

*2018 update – this appears to be a very popular post on the MBFF website, so I have updated it with a few new suggestions for family walks!* Family hiking with small children is not a simple task! Well, perhaps it is for some families . . . perhaps your children were born hikers!  But for many of us, getting our children to LOVE hiking in … Continue reading FAMILY HIKES – tips for hiking with small children

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Babies & Toddlers, Chamonix Playgrounds, Chamonix Softplay, Further France, Lac de Passy, Les Contamines Playgrounds, Passy, Playgrounds & Softplay, Rainy Days, Sallanches Playgrounds, Sallanches Softplay, Sallanches Softplay, Vallorcine Playgrounds, Vitam (Neydens)

Softplay & Bouncy Castles au Pays du Mont-Blanc

Au Pays du Mont-Blanc, we are now lucky enough to have two softplay options – one in Chamonix and one in Sallanches – for those RAINY DAYS all year long . . . and in the summer months, plenty of bouncy castles spring up in lovely locations: Indoor Softplay Centres La Petite Folie softplay (Chamonix) This softplay café in Chamonix Sud opened its doors in the summer of 2016 … Continue reading Softplay & Bouncy Castles au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Biking, Scooting & Skating, Hiking & Strolling, Lac de Passy, Lakes & Swimming, Passy, Passy & Environs, Passy Hikes & Strolls

Lac de Passy

Lac de Passy, officially referred to these days as a Base de Loisirs (due to the numerous leisure activities on offer), is the largest lake in the Pays du Mont-Blanc.  Ideal for a swim and a splash during the summer months, it is also frequented by cyclists, joggers, buggy-walkers, fishing enthusiasts, windsurfers, paddle-boarders and dog-walkers (NB dogs are not permitted at the beach/criques ends of the lake during … Continue reading Lac de Passy

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Agendas & Events, Le Jardin des Cimes, Parks, Woods & Gardens, Passy & Environs, Plateau d'Assy, Workshops & Stages

«Le petit atelier’jardin du mercredi» at the Jardin des Cimes (Plateau d’Assy)

Over the summer months, the wonderful Jardin des Cimes offers weekly workshops for children every Wednesday afternoon, from 14h30 to 16h30 (from June until early September). These are themed workshops pertaining to nature and gardens, with a different theme for each week.  You need to reserve a place for the workshop, at 8,50€ per child, with a reduced entry price to the gardens for the accompanying adult … Continue reading «Le petit atelier’jardin du mercredi» at the Jardin des Cimes (Plateau d’Assy)

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Babies & Toddlers, Chamonix Playgroups, Passy Playgroups, Rainy Days, Sallanches Playgroups

Baby & Toddler Playgroups & Storytelling au Pays du Mont-Blanc

What you’ll find in this post is a list of baby & toddler playgroups, including music and dance groups for pre-schoolers, au Pays du Mont-Blanc. I have also compiled a list of some of the regular storytelling sessions that take place au Pays du Mont-Blanc. For a much more detailed list of Baby & Toddler Activities au Pays du Mont-Blanc, see post. Colour code for listings: … Continue reading Baby & Toddler Playgroups & Storytelling au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Chamonix Cinema Vox, Cinéma la Caméra, Cinemas, Les Houches Cinébus, Megève Cinema, Rainy Days, Sallanches Cinema

Cinemas au Pays du Mont-Blanc

Au Pays du Mont-Blanc, there is one large cinema complex in Sallanches – the Ciné Mont-Blanc, and then a scattering of smaller screens, which have lots of personality!  During the summer months, many of the communes screen FREE outdoor films, so be sure to look at Tourist Office agendas for this lovely initiative. Chamonix Chamonix’s Cinéma VOX is a bit of an institution. There are VO … Continue reading Cinemas au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Babies & Toddlers, Lac de Passy, Passy, Passy & Environs, Passy Playgrounds, Plateau d'Assy Playground, Playgrounds & Softplay

Passy Playgrounds

Jardin des Cimes in Plateau d’Assy This is not a conventional playground – and neither is it free (as you have to pay an entrance fee to enter the gardens) . . . but I’ve included it in this Passy Playgrounds post, as you can’t find many playgrounds with such an incredible view of the Mont-Blanc massif . . . These wooden structures at Le … Continue reading Passy Playgrounds

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