Category: Weekend Escapes

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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Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Babies & Toddlers, Haute-Savoie, Lac d'Annecy & environs, Lago Maggiore, Lakes & Swimming, Savoie, Weekend Escapes, Yvoire

LAKES & WATERSPORTS beyond the Pays du Mont-Blanc

We have some fabulous 💦 swimming lakes 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc, some large enough to practise watersports like ⛵️ windsurfing, sailing and paddle-boarding. [ ⇒ for more information about 💦 swimming lakes 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc, see separate MBFF article here ] And not too far away, you’ll find some 💦 larger lakes in 🇫🇷 Haute-Savoie & Savoie, in Isère, 🇨🇭 in Switzerland, and in 🇮🇹 … Continue reading LAKES & WATERSPORTS beyond the Pays du Mont-Blanc

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

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

There are some beautiful holiday 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 … 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

It’s that time of year when the ⛸ seasonal ice-skating rinks begin to appear in town centres throughout the 🏔 Pays du Mont-Blanc . . . 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 rinks will be … Continue reading SEASONAL ICE-SKATING au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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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 the 3rd March 2024 – 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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