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
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)
We have one more bank holiday this May 2018: Pentecôte . . . and then it is full steam ahead with school and work . . . until the summer holidays! Until the summer activities post, I thought it might be useful to have a general list of activities available for families & children au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond) at hand in one list . … Continue reading Springtime Activities for families au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)
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
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)
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
*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)
❄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
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)
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
«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)
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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
