Category: Rainy Days

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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"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’OrĂ©al 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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Animal Antics, AQUATIS Aquarium & Vivarium, Babies & Toddlers, Lac LĂ©man, Lausanne, Museums & Exhibitions, Rainy Days, Switzerland, Weekend Escapes

AQUATIS aquarium-vivarium en famille (LAUSANNE)

🐠🐊 AQUATIS aquarium-vivarium opened just over 4 years ago, and I had been wanting to take the boys ever since! And so MBFF was delighted to be invited just before the Christmas holidays. I kept it a secret from the boys until we arrived, just to add to the excitement; both boys being huge animal lovers (yes, including 🐊 reptiles and 🐾 amphibians!), I knew … Continue reading AQUATIS aquarium-vivarium en famille (LAUSANNE)

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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 GenÚve, 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 đŸ–ŒÂ 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 đŸ–Œ 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 đŸ–ŒÂ 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 đŸ–Œ temporary exhibitions and 🎹 workshops for children and families over the school holidays! [ ⇒ see MBFF article aboutÂ đŸ–Œ MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS au Pays du Mont-Blanc here andÂ đŸ–Œ OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITIONS & EPHEMERAL OUTDOOR … Continue reading MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS in nearby FRANCE

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"Made in", 2KM3 Car Park, Agendas & Events, ArgentiÚre, ArgentiÚre Events, Castles & Fortresses, Chamonix, Chamonix Events, Chamonix MédiathÚque, Chamonix Museums, Chamonix Valley, Combloux, Combloux Events, Hiking & Strolling, Le Fayet, Le Musée Montagnard Les Houches, Le Palais des Sports, Le Parc Thermal, Les Contamines, Les Contamines & Environs, Les Contamines Events, Les Houches, Les Houches Museums, MédiathÚque Ange Abrate Sallanches, MegÚve, MegÚve & Environs, MegÚve Events, MegÚve MédiathÚque, Museums & Exhibitions, Parent Pampering, Passy, Passy & Environs, Passy Hikes & Strolls, Plaine-Joux, Plateau d'Assy, Praz-sur-Arly, Praz-sur-Arly Events, Praz-sur-Arly Hikes & Strolls, Rainy Days, Saint Nicolas de Véroce, Sallanches, Sallanches & Environs, Sallanches Events, Sallanches Museums, Servoz, Servoz Events, St Gervais, St Gervais & Environs, St Gervais Events, Vallorcine, Vallorcine, Vallorcine Events, Workshops & Stages

MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS au Pays du Mont-Blanc

We are lucky to have some đŸ–ŒÂ 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: đŸ–Œ OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITIONS & EPHEMERAL OUTDOOR ART au Pays du … Continue reading MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Forest & Woodland, Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Hiking & Strolling, Rainy Days

WATERFALLS & GORGES au Pays du Mont-Blanc

A visit to a đŸ’Š waterfall or gorge is often an awe-inspiring and sensory experience, allowing you to appreciate nature in its wildest, purest form. It can also be a great option for a family hike, or a chance to escape ☀ the heat of summer, with a cool breeze and brume emanating from the cascade of water. We are lucky đŸ—» au Pays du Mont-Blanc, as we … Continue reading WATERFALLS & GORGES 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 đŸ—ș 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 đŸŒ» 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 đŸ“· « Wildlife Photographer of the Year » exhibition fairly close to home, just across in 🇼đŸ‡č Italy, through the tunnel from Chamonix! 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 … Continue reading « Wildlife Photographer of the Year » (Forte di Bard, ITALY)

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

MINI WORLD LYON – a unique & fabulous family visit!

Back in 2019, when my friend heard that we were to spend a weekend in Lyon over the Toussaint holidays, she asked if we were heading to Mini World Lyon, to see the Harry Potter LegoÂź 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 … Continue reading MINI WORLD LYON – a unique & fabulous family visit!

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"Made in", Passy, Passy & Environs, Rainy Days, Ski Indoor 4810, Skiing, Workshops & Stages

SKI INDOOR 4810 – perfect your skiing INDOORS! (PASSY)

During the 2019 Toussaint holidays, MBFF was invited to test out the ⛷ new indoor ski centre in Passy: Ski Indoor 4810! The boys were really excited to dig out their 🎿 ski boots, helmets and gloves ahead of the official ski season, and to try out something so novel! Being a pretty mediocre skier myself, I was somewhat more apprehensive, but I was certainly intrigued … Continue reading SKI INDOOR 4810 – perfect your skiing INDOORS! (PASSY)

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Animal Antics, Auvergne-RhĂŽne-Alpes, Babies & Toddlers, Cinemas, Further France, Lyon, Rainy Days, Weekend Escapes

L’Aquarium de Lyon (LYON)

On our recent trip to Lyon, MBFF was treated to some tickets to experience the 🐟 Aquarium de Lyon. Did you think that aquariums were the reserve of 🌊 sea or ocean located cities? Think again – though Lyon is far from the sea or ocean, do remember that this beautiful city is located at the 💩 strategic confluence of the RhĂŽne and SaĂŽne rivers, and this … Continue reading L’Aquarium de Lyon (LYON)

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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 LĂ©on Curral, Servoz, Servoz Events, St Gervais & Environs, St Gervais Events, Theatre, Dance & Music, Vallorcine, Vallorcine Events, Workshops & Stages

« 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 )

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

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 đŸ§Ș La FĂȘte de la Science in autumn ! đŸ§Ș La FĂȘte de la Science – in October (annual); đŸ§Ș La Nuit des Sciences – every two years in Geneva; đŸ§Ș 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)

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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)

[ from January 2024 : SHUT for renovation ! ] The 🐧 MusĂ©um GenĂšve, Geneva’s natural history museum, was our go-to museum for ☔ rainy days when our boys were small! We have – over the years – pushed đŸ’€ sleeping babies around the exhibits there, watched our toddlers crawl, run and topple over there, and we have spent plenty of time running after them … 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 – MusĂ©e et Chiens du Saint-Bernard (Martigny)

We first visited đŸ¶Â Barryland – MusĂ©e et Chiens du Saint-Bernard with a dog-loving and inquisitive 3 year old and a snoozing (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 đŸ¶ cute puppies, but also with the most wonderful 🐣 Easter egg hunt … Continue reading BARRYLAND – MusĂ©e et Chiens du Saint-Bernard (Martigny)

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Aosta Valley Castles, Babies & Toddlers, Barryland - St-Bernard Museum, Centre Sportif Richard Bozon, Chamonix, Chamonix MédiathÚque, 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, MédiathÚque Ange Abrate Sallanches, MEG - Musée d'Ethnographie de GenÚve, MegÚve Ice-Skating, MegÚve MédiathÚque, MegÚve 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

You have perhaps heard that saying ☔ “ there’s no such thing as bad weather; just badly dressed people “ ? Well, I heard this several times on a couple of work trips to 🇼🇾 Iceland . . . and that may well be, but even the strongest of resolves can be broken by 🌧 DAYS and DAYS of rainy weather in the mountains (especially when you … Continue reading RAINY DAYS au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Babies & Toddlers, MĂ©diathĂšque Ange Abrate Sallanches, Rainy Days, Sallanches, Sallanches & Environs, Theatre, Dance & Music, Workshops & Stages

MĂ©diathĂšque Ange Abrate (SALLANCHES)

The 📚 MĂ©diathĂšque Ange Abrate in Sallanches opened its doors to the public on a ☔ rainy morning in March 2018 . . . The new mĂ©diathĂšque is spacious, with a very open-plan, bright and modern style of architecture. Section Adulte The Section Adulte is located on the ground floor, where you will also find đŸ’» 15 mulitimedia spots, for users to connect to the internet … Continue reading MĂ©diathĂšque Ange Abrate (SALLANCHES)

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Babies & Toddlers, Chamonix Ice-Skating, Le Palais des Sports, MegĂšve Ice-Skating, Rainy Days, Sledging & Ice-Skating, St Gervais Ice-Skating

ICE-SKATING au Pays du Mont-Blanc

The 🏔 Pays du Mont-Blanc has THREE ⛾ indoor ice-skating rinks that are 🗓 open all year round, and so are good places to head to escape the heat or rain during the summer months, as well as to visit in the wintertime! In addition, during the ❄ winter holiday season, there are several ⛾ seasonal outdoor ice-skating rinks (usually set up right in the centre of towns 🏔 au Pays du … Continue reading ICE-SKATING au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Babies & Toddlers, Geneva, Maison de la Créativité, Playgrounds & Softplay, Rainy Days, Switzerland, Theatre, Dance & Music, Weekend Escapes, Workshops & Stages

LA MAISON de la CRÉATIVITÉ ( Conches, Geneva )

The MBFF family visited 🎹 La Maison de la CrĂ©ativité in 🇹🇭 Conches (on the outskirts of Geneva), on a crisp, sunny day in 2016 . . . what a magical discovery, for children and adults alike ! A beautiful house (Villa Calandrini) set in copious grounds and surrounded by 🌳 woodland, with views of ⛰ the SalĂšve mountain, and it even has its very own Faraway Tree Âź (reference … Continue reading LA MAISON de la CRÉATIVITÉ ( Conches, Geneva )

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

SOFTPLAY & INDOOR PLAY au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

🏔 Au Pays du Mont-Blanc, we are lucky to have 🌈 a softplay option in the industrial zone of Sallanches for those ☔ RAINY DAYS all year round . . . and in the ☀ summer months, plenty of bouncy castles spring up in lovely locations too . . . And further afield in the đŸ‡«đŸ‡·Â Arve Valley and beyond, there are some 🌈 larger softplay and đŸ€ž indoor play … Continue reading SOFTPLAY & INDOOR PLAY au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

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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! … Continue reading 2KM3 – when a car park becomes ARTWORK! (SAINT-GERVAIS)

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

BABY & TODDLER PLAYGROUPS au Pays du Mont-Blanc

You’ll find in this article a list of 🌈 baby & toddler playgroups au Pays du Mont-Blanc that you can just pop along to for FREE! Colour code for listings Pays du Mont-Blanc Chamonix Valley (Chamonix, ArgentiĂšre, Les Houches, Servoz) and Vallorcine Passy & environs Sallanches, Combloux, Cordon & Domancy St Gervais, Le Fayet & environs MegĂšve, Praz-sur-Arly & environs Les Contamines-Montjoie & environs đŸ‡«đŸ‡· Further France  CHAMONIX VALLEY … Continue reading BABY & TODDLER PLAYGROUPS au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Chamonix Cinema Vox, Cinéma la Caméra, Cinemas, Les Houches Cinébus, MegÚve 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 đŸŽ„Â CinĂ© 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. Colour code for listings Pays du Mont-Blanc Chamonix Valley (Chamonix, … Continue reading CINEMAS au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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