With the recent beautiful weather we’ve been having, after lots of RAIN, I thought it time to write a post about hiking with small children. 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 the mountains is … Continue reading Family Hikes – tips for hiking with small children
August has arrived au Pays du Mont Blanc . . . and after a July filled with family/children’s events, festivals and exciting workshops & guided tours, here is the listings for the summer month ahead! I’ve included lots of ideas for us adults over the month (evening film screenings, talks, guided walks); as we’ll all be needing some R & R and brain stimulation after all the activity-filled … Continue reading August Agenda au Pays du Mont Blanc
Every Wednesday afternoon during the French school holidays, the Centre de la Nature Montagnarde in Sallanches organises worshops for children aged 6 to 12 years called Les P’tits Experts de la Nature. Children are given a certificate booklet when they do their first workshop and they collect a stamp for each completed workshop. During their 2-hour workshop, they become little “experts” in different fields of nature! My son … Continue reading Les P’tits Experts de la Nature (Sallanches)
Here is the updated list of children’s/family activities this August au Pays du Mont Blanc . . . please feel free to let MBFF know of any workshops/events missing from the list! Longer workshops & stages Cat Kartal «Art & Nature» (Chamonix) Cat Kartal is an artist who lives in the Pays du Mont Blanc and, as well as running an art studio and producing her … Continue reading Children’s activities this August 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 … Continue reading Softplay & Bouncy Castles au Pays du Mont Blanc
I was walking along the quais in Sallanches last week and the chataignes (chestnut trees) were all in bloom and had formed a tapestry above my head . . . and I thought how I must write a post about how NOW is the time to experience Sallanches’s riverside at its most lush! A trip to Sallanches’s Saturday morning market (which is lovely; a post to come) … Continue reading The beautiful quais of Sallanches
Here is a list of some of the playgroup options au Pays du Mont Blanc: Chamonix Chamonix «Mums n Tots» takes place in the Salle Paroissiale (Church Hall) of the Presbytery of the Protestant Church near the train station in the centre of Chamonix. The playgroup is run by the lovely Barbara and is open to all babies and toddlers (and parents, grand-parents, minders . . … Continue reading Baby & Toddler Playgroups au Pays du Mont Blanc
Chamonix Chamonix’s Cinéma VOX is a bit of an institution, and I was once a regular visitor with a pass (in my footloose and fancy free days when I lived just down the road!). There are VO films to choose from and the venue is also used to host certain events: shows for children, mountain films, the adventure film festival, guest speakers . . . *Good … Continue reading Cinemas au Pays du Mont Blanc
There are two bowling alleys au Pays du Mont Blanc: one in Chamonix, and one in Sallanches. Chamonix Chamonix’s Bowling has 8 bowling alleys, as well as an indoor mini-golf, a pool room (“billards”) and a games room. The entrance includes obligatory bowling shoes and you must wear socks! Opening hours: High season: open every day from 17h to 2h in the morning, or from 14h in … Continue reading Bowling au Pays du Mont Blanc
Springtime has arrived . . . and while I dream of one day being in Japan for its famous springtime cherry blossoms, for now I am excited to share this little Sallanches town walk with you. While there is still snow on the higher altitude walks, why not take a leisurely amble through the streets of Sallanches, enjoy the spring blossoms and discover a little history as you … Continue reading Sallanches – Springtime Family Stroll
On some beautiful sunny afternoons this spring, we have found ourselves down at the Sallanches skatepark! I must admit to having been somewhat ignorant towards to our local skatepark, and so I was pleasantly surprised with the discovery! It has been recently renovated, and there is lots of space for skateboards, scooters and BMX bikes. I was also pleasantly surprised by the range of ages present – little ones on … Continue reading Sallanches Skatepark
Set in the historic 14th century Chateau des Rubins, just behind the Eglise St Jacques, the Centre de la Nature Montagnarde is a museum dedicated to the Alps. Set across 5 floors, an interactive journey will take you from glaciology and geology, to some close encounters with the resident taxidermy (a wolf, a lynx and a bear among others!). As well as panels explaining the … Continue reading Centre de la Nature Montagnarde (Sallanches)
MBFF has spent six years discovering and testing playgrounds in the Pays du Mont Blanc. We are fairly confident that we have tested most of them (please let us know of any treasures we may have missed along the way!). The following list highlights our personal favourites; this is clearly subjective . . . and I’ll admit that at certain points on our journey of discovery, we had to … Continue reading MBFF’s Favourite Playgrounds au Pays du Mont Blanc
Officially known as Base de Loisir des Ilettes, les Lacs des Ilettes actually consist of three lakes and this is a popular place year-round for locals to come for a stroll en famille, for a bike ride, a dog-walk (permitted around the 3rd lake) or a jog and workout. In summertime, the middle lake is a popular choice for swimmers and the 3rd lake for windsurfers. Le … Continue reading Lacs des Ilettes (Sallanches)
You don’t have to head as far as Geneva to get your fill of culture (though there is certainly much culture to be had there too!). Head to Sallanches’ Salle Léon Curral for some excellent (and very reasonably priced!) entertainment. Here you will find concerts (recent concerts have included: Ayo, Irma, L.E.J), theatre, comedy, dance, circus acts . . . Recently renovated, and with spectacular views of … Continue reading Salle Léon Curral (Sallanches)
