Category: Weekend Escapes

Agendas & Events, Museums & Exhibitions, Theatre, Dance & Music, Weekend Escapes

LIGHT SHOWS & ILLUMINATIONS au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

There are some beautiful light shows au Pays du Mont-Blanc and in 🇫🇷 neighbouring France, 🇨🇭 Switzerland and 🇮🇹 Italy, and every year they seem to get more innovative : mapping, son & lumières . . . Mostly these light show take place over the winter holidays and in January and February, and light up villages, towns and cities (and in one case a forest!) … Continue reading LIGHT SHOWS & ILLUMINATIONS au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

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Further France, Museums & Exhibitions, Weekend Escapes

DINOSAURS & PREHISTORY near the Pays du Mont-Blanc

Did you ever wonder why I placed 🦕 a dinosaur in the MBFF logo ? It wasn’t simply because kids tend to love 🦖🦕 dinosaurs; it was also because near the Pays du Mont-Blanc, just across the border in 🇨🇭 Emosson, you’ll find some 🦕 dinosaur prints, vestiges of 💦 a great ocean that once covered our 🗻 mountains . . . But where else … Continue reading DINOSAURS & PREHISTORY near the Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Weekend Escapes

WEEKENDS & LONG WEEKENDS AWAY from le Pays du Mont-Blanc

Had you noticed that 🇫🇷 France has A LOT of bank holidays? No sooner are the spring holidays over, then along comes the Pont de l’Ascension and Pentecôte in May and June ! These weekends are the ideal escape – though do be warned that if you head to the 🇫🇷 South of France on a bank holiday weekend, then you’ll be doing so with many … Continue reading WEEKENDS & LONG WEEKENDS AWAY from le Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Weekend Escapes

DAY TRIPS from le Pays du Mont-Blanc

We are spoiled with plentiful nature and culture here au Pays du Mont-Blanc – there are just so many wonderful options for family activities! But even with so many rich options, sometimes we might get valley fever (yes, this is a THING!), or we may feel the need to escape ☔️ bad weather . . . and that’s when a day trip away comes in handy! … Continue reading DAY TRIPS from le Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Annecy Paysages, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Forest & Woodland, Further France, Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Haute-Savoie, Hiking & Strolling, Lac d'Annecy & environs, Lac d'Annecy Hikes & Strolls, Réserve Naturelle du Bout-du-Lac (Doussard), Saint-Jorioz, Sentier des Roselières (Saint-Jorioz), Weekend Escapes

10 family strolls & easy hikes around LAC d’ANNECY

💦 Lac d’Annecy is a super place to head from 🗻 the Pays du Mont-Blanc for a stroll or a hike – perhaps for a bit of culture in the old town of Annecy, perhaps to escape the winter snow of the mountains, or perhaps for a FLAT stroll along the lakeside with a buggy. You’ll find lots of flat walks around the lake, perfect … Continue reading 10 family strolls & easy hikes around LAC d’ANNECY

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Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Babies & Toddlers, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Castles & Fortresses, Further France, Haute-Savoie, Hiking & Strolling, Le Jardin des 5 Sens, Playgrounds & Softplay, Uncategorized, Weekend Escapes, Yvoire

YVOIRE – a lakeside family day out ! (Lac Léman)

Yvoire is  a 14th century medieval fishing village, located on the southern shores of the  French coast of  Lac Léman. Known as « la perle du Léman » and classified as one of the « plus beaux villages de la France » (see here), with its narrow streets filled with pretty stone buildings, their wooden balconies overflowing with  flowers, Yvoire attracts a fair number of tourists, especially over  the summer months. Yvoire: a little geography & history  Lac Léman – this  Swiss –  French … Continue reading YVOIRE – a lakeside family day out ! (Lac Léman)

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Animal Antics, AQUATIS Aquarium & Vivarium, Babies & Toddlers, Lac Léman, 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 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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Agendas & Events, Forest & Woodland, Further France, Museums & Exhibitions, Theatre, Dance & Music, Weekend Escapes

ALTA LUMINA en famille (Les Gets)

One Saturday evening last January, MBFF walked through a sparkling enchanted forest, courtesy of Les Gets Tourisme! I’d been wanting to experience this night-time son & lumières parcours since its opening, and finally we managed to get there! The unique trail is located in the forest behind the Lac des Écoles in Les Gets . . . and it is just M A G I C … Continue reading ALTA LUMINA en famille (Les Gets)

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Cinemas, Lausanne, Museums & Exhibitions, Switzerland, Theatre, Dance & Music, Weekend Escapes

« VAN GOGH ALIVE – the experience » en famille (LAUSANNE)

[ note 2023 – this exhibition has been and gone, but I’ll leave the article on the website, as the photos are so magical ! Also, similar interactive exhibitions will come to the Beaulieu in Lausanne ! ] Just before the holidays MBFF had the great privilege of being invited to experience the world-famous sensory exhibition Van Gogh Alive – the experience in Lausanne . . … Continue reading « VAN GOGH ALIVE – the experience » en famille (LAUSANNE)

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Further France, Lyon, Musée des Confluences, Museums & Exhibitions, Weekend Escapes

Musée des Confluences (LYON)

A while back (in those pre-pandemic days!), MBFF had the absolute pleasure to be invited to explore the 🖼 Musée des Confluences! I had heard so many great things about this museum, and was eager to go and explore en famille – and it truly lived up to all of my high expectations! Before our visit, I’d had a really friendly exchange with the museum’s … Continue reading Musée des Confluences (LYON)

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Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Crest-Voland, Forest & Woodland, Further France, Haute-Savoie, Hiking & Strolling, Savoie, Weekend Escapes

FAMILY STROLLS : Sentier des Arpelières (VAL d’ARLY)

A couple of 🍁 Novembers ago, MBFF set off on a short hike that I’d been wanting to do for a while: Le Sentier des Arpelières in Crest-Voland (or Les Saisies), Val d’Arly. I have hiked all over the world, but – hand on heart – 🍁 the autumn colours and 🍄 the magical nature of the terrain on this hike make this 🍂 one … Continue reading FAMILY STROLLS : Sentier des Arpelières (VAL d’ARLY)

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Annemasse & environs, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Babies & Toddlers, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Cable Cars, Chairlifts & Tramways, Forest & Woodland, Further France, Haute-Savoie, Hiking & Strolling, Sledging & Ice-Skating, Snowy Days, Weekend Escapes

Téléphérique du Salève – a day out with superb views of Lac Léman & the Alps! (Etrembières)

[ spring 2023 update : 🚠 the Téléphérique du Salève is still SHUT for its huge 2 year long renovation programme . . . but you can still visit the iconic ⛰ Salève mountain, either by driving up there or by hiking up / the 🚠 cable car is due to re-open in 2023 ! ] A couple of weekends back, MBFF was kindly invited … Continue reading Téléphérique du Salève – a day out with superb views of Lac Léman & the Alps! (Etrembières)

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Animal Antics, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Babies & Toddlers, Forest & Woodland, Further France, Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Haute-Savoie, Hiking & Strolling, Lac d'Annecy & environs, Lac d'Annecy Hikes & Strolls, Lakes & Swimming, Réserve Naturelle du Bout-du-Lac (Doussard), Weekend Escapes

BUGGY WALKS & FAMILY STROLLS: La Réserve Naturelle du Bout-du-Lac (Doussard, Lac d’Annecy)

🏞 La Réserve Naturelle du Bout-du-Lac in Doussard is a tranquil 🐸 wetland area, with marshes, 💦 rivers and 🌾 unique flora and 🦆 fauna, offering superb views of 💦 Lac d’Annecy and 🏔 the surrounding mountains. For 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 families, it is ideal: wide wooden walkways perfect for buggies or wheelchairs, 🗺 explanatory panels along the way . . . children will remain engaged and you’ll all learn … Continue reading BUGGY WALKS & FAMILY STROLLS: La Réserve Naturelle du Bout-du-Lac (Doussard, Lac d’Annecy)

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Babies & Toddlers, Hiking & Strolling, Sledging & Ice-Skating, Snowy Days, Weekend Escapes

BUGGY WALKS & FAMILY STROLLS : 10 winter ones au Pays du Mont-Blanc

You LOVE the beautiful ❄️ SNOW, but sometimes you feel frustrated as it is restricts your movements with a buggy? You’re tired of heading to 💦 Lac de Passy (lovely as it is!), where you do loop after loop with a buggy, because you are in need of some ground without ❄️ SNOW ? I’m sure you’re not alone! ❄️ Wintertime can feel ever so LONG … Continue reading BUGGY WALKS & FAMILY STROLLS : 10 winter ones au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Agendas & Events, Sledging & Ice-Skating, Weekend Escapes

SEASONAL ICE-SKATING au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

It’s that time of year when the ⛸ seasonal ice-skating rinks begin to appear in town centres throughout the 🏔 Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond) . . . a lovely way to spend some time en famille . . .  Sometimes, next to the ice-skating rink, you might find yourself rewarded with 🥃 a vin chaud stand or a small 🎄 Christmas market! Some of these ⛸ seasonal ice-skating … Continue reading SEASONAL ICE-SKATING au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

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Forest & Woodland, Further France, Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Hiking & Strolling, Weekend Escapes

« Le Mystère de la Montre » : a treasure hunt in Mont-Saxonnex!

MBFF tried out another of Cluse Arve & Montagne’s jeux last autumn! This time we chose another jeu d’aventure: ⏱ Le Mystère de la Montre, in ⛰ Mont-Saxonnex! After having had so much fun doing the previous two jeux, ⚔️ Le Chevalier Maudit (in Châtillon-sur-Cluses; read about our experience here) and 🥚 L’Œuf de Plume la Gypaète (in Le Reposoir; read about our experience here), … Continue reading « Le Mystère de la Montre » : a treasure hunt in Mont-Saxonnex!

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Castles & Fortresses, Cluses & environs, Forest & Woodland, Further France, Hiking & Strolling, Weekend Escapes

« Le Chevalier Maudit »: medieval knightly fun and Geocaching® en famille! (Châtillon-sur-Cluses)

In February this year, we headed to ⛰ Le Reposoir to do one of the Cluses Arves & Montagnes 🗺 jeux d’orientation (we’ve also done the jeux L’Œuf de Plume la Gypaète – see here for MBFF article), and we really enjoyed it! As well as the fun of the orienteering game, we really delighted in getting to know a new mountain village and the … Continue reading « Le Chevalier Maudit »: medieval knightly fun and Geocaching® en famille! (Châtillon-sur-Cluses)

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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 Thursday 9th March 2023 – 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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Babies & Toddlers, Cluses & environs, Further France, Hiking & Strolling, Playgrounds & Softplay, Weekend Escapes

PARCOURS d’ORIENTATION: L’Œuf de Plume La Gypaète (Le Reposoir)

I used to get some inspiration for family visits from my boys’ outings with their garderies, and I remembered that one summer my younger son had headed up to Le Reposoir (between Cluses and Le Grand-Bornand) to do a parcours d’orientation with his local garderie, and that he had loved this excursion . . . I also knew that Cluses Arve & Montagnes had developed … Continue reading PARCOURS d’ORIENTATION: L’Œuf de Plume La Gypaète (Le Reposoir)

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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 📷 « Wildlife Photographer of the Year » exhibition fairly close to home, just across in 🇮🇹 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-Rhône-Alpes, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Further France, Le Parc Zoologique (Lyon), Lyon, Mini World Lyon, Museums & Exhibitions, Parc de la Tête 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 Lego® 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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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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