« 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 (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 pretty ⛪️ La Chartreuse du … Continue reading « Le Chevalier Maudit »: medieval knightly fun and Geocaching® en famille! (Châtillon-sur-Cluses)
FAMILY HIKES: la Gorge du Glacier (Argentière)
I don’t know about you, but I like to stay off 🏔 the busy mountain paths in ☀️ the summertime, social-distancing regulations in place or not! Earlier this week, my boys were at their 🎨 Art & Nature workshop with local artist Cat Kartal in Argentière, and so I took the opportunity to have a day out by myself, hiking and then reading my book in nature. I … Continue reading FAMILY HIKES: la Gorge du Glacier (Argentière)
Le Site des Ponts de la Caille (CRUSEILLES)
You may well have spotted these two bridges – 🌁 Les Ponts de la Caille – from the motorway (A41 Annecy-Genève) on a trip to 💦 Lac d’Annecy from 🏔 Le Pays du Mont-Blanc? Have you ever come off the motorway to explore? MBFF certainly has – my curious nature would never leave such incredible looking bridges unexplored! 🌁 Les Ponts de la Caille are two … Continue reading Le Site des Ponts de la Caille (CRUSEILLES)
FAMILY HIKES: « Sur les traces des Graniteurs » (COMBLOUX)
I had been wanting to do the short themed walk ⚒ « Sur les traces des Graniteurs » in Combloux for a while, and last springtime MBFF finally managed to go . . . At the time, I was looking for a lower altitude hike (and not too long!) to do en famille, as there was still lots of ❄️ snow up high . . … Continue reading FAMILY HIKES: « Sur les traces des Graniteurs » (COMBLOUX)
20+ SUMMER TERRACES for families in the Chamonix Valley!
Our 🥗 local restaurants and cafés are beginning to tentatively re-open to the public after a three month closure, with socially distanced tables and other modifications. Restaurants with terraces are therefore a particularly attractive option for people to head to, who want to eat out again, but are less keen to be seated indoors. I have put together the first of TWO articles, this one … Continue reading 20+ SUMMER TERRACES for families in the Chamonix Valley!
An AIRE de JEUX, a MARE aux TÊTARDS and a PARCOURS ORIENTATION (Argentière)
Sunday’s family outing started somewhat late in the day, as Daddy MBFF had to go and vote in the mayoral elections! By the time that we had sorted out 🍏 our picnic lunch, it was already midday and by the time we ate the picnic lunch it was 14h! A true Spanish lunch hour; no wonder Mr 6 was so grumpy! But the later lunch … Continue reading An AIRE de JEUX, a MARE aux TÊTARDS and a PARCOURS ORIENTATION (Argentière)
ACCROBRANCHES ®, GRIMPE d’ARBRE & TYROLIENNES au Pays du Mont-Blanc
With all of our wonderful 🧗♂️ rock climbing and Via-Ferrata routes 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc, it is only natural that so many 🌳 accrobranches ® should also appear over recent years! We’ve tried out a few of them, and they are very popular with our 🐵 monkey climbing boys . . . 🌳 some tree climbing terminology: 🌳 accrobranches ® – it is a rope course … Continue reading ACCROBRANCHES ®, GRIMPE d’ARBRE & TYROLIENNES au Pays du Mont-Blanc
FAMILY HIKES: La Cascade de Bérard (LE BUET)
The short hike up to 💦 La Cascade de Bérard, located just above the village of Le Buet (near Vallorcine), is the perfect family outing on a hot ☀️ summer’s day or after 🌧 strong rain – you’ll either be refreshed or you’ll see 💦 the waterfall in its rawest, most powerful form! If you head off on this hike in late spring or in early summer, then … Continue reading FAMILY HIKES: La Cascade de Bérard (LE BUET)
OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITIONS au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)
All that we really need to do to enjoy art 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc, is to open the window, as outside is 🖼 the most exquisite work of art of them all: 🌿 Mother Nature, Dame Nature! It is no wonder why so many 🎨 famous artists have been – and are still are – attracted to our 🏔 alpine scenery: 🍂🍃 the changing seasons, and … Continue reading OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITIONS au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)
FAMILY HIKES: La Cabane du Cerro (CHAMONIX)
There are so many wonderful 🏔 hikes au Pays du Mont-Blanc and several of them are the perfect length for families with very young (or reluctant) walkers! I have always found (actually, I still do!) that hiking to ☕️ a mountain buvette, with the reward of 🍨 an ice cream or 🍓 a slice or fruit tart, is a great incentive to hike. As are … Continue reading FAMILY HIKES: La Cabane du Cerro (CHAMONIX)
BIKE PARKS au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)
There are 🚵♀️ some wonderful VTT routes 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc – some easily accessible, some that you need to take 🚡 a télécabine to access . . . and now we have electric bikes to make certain routes more accessible, and 🚵♀️ Fat Bikes to head out on the snow, mud or sand! Pop in to your local tourist office to pick up 🗺 … Continue reading BIKE PARKS au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)
Where to observe TADPOLES & FROGS au Pays du Mont-Blanc
Yesterday MBFF went for 🍏 a picnic with friends (🌥 between sun and cloud!) up at 🎣 Lac de Javen in Megève. 🎣 Lac de Javen is a popular picnic spot for families in the summertime, as it is just a short hike to get there and there are plenty of activities on offer: ☕️ buvette and restaurant, 🌈 small playground, 🌈trampoline and other loisirs (later … Continue reading Where to observe TADPOLES & FROGS au Pays du Mont-Blanc
WATERFALLS & GORGES au Pays du Mont-Blanc
A visit to a 💦 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 🗻 au Pays du Mont-Blanc as we … Continue reading WATERFALLS & GORGES au Pays du Mont-Blanc
MBFF’s 20 favourite PICNIC SPOTS (with small children) au Pays du Mont-Blanc!
[ NOTE: for now, in adherance with regulations, you are NOT allowed to picnic at our local lakes ] I was lying in bed last night thinking of all of the lovely places that I’d like 🍏 to go for a picnic en famille; I’ve missed this activity these last two months! A picnic gets everyone outdoors and is often accompanied by a short walk or … Continue reading MBFF’s 20 favourite PICNIC SPOTS (with small children) au Pays du Mont-Blanc!
FAMILY HIKES: Bois de Fessy et les Blocs de La Pesse (Sallanches)
During confinement, we all had to find 🏡 walks within a 1km radius from home . . . though perhaps I was not able to go quite as far as I desired, this did encourage me to try out some of the 🏔 very local hikes, and one that we did en famille (though with much whining and shoulder support at times!) was this one: 🌳 … Continue reading FAMILY HIKES: Bois de Fessy et les Blocs de La Pesse (Sallanches)
BUGGY STROLLS: Parcours de l’Eau Artistique (Arve River, PASSY)
Each new spring season, ❄️ the snow melts and the 🌷 first spring flowers peep up shyly from the lawns; this re-awakening of nature is the perfect invitation for a buggy stroll . . . Early in 🌷 the spring season there may still be too much ❄️ snow along the river paths at higher altitude in 🏔 the Pays du Mont-Blanc, but there is a lovely stretch … Continue reading BUGGY STROLLS: Parcours de l’Eau Artistique (Arve River, PASSY)
FAMILY HIKES: l’Alpage de Charousse (Les Houches)
The hike to 🌼 l’Alpage de Charousse (alpage means high mountain meadow) in Les Houches is one of my favourite short hikes in the Chamonix Valley, and one that MBFF has really enjoyed en famille with two small hikers. Description of hike The main highlight of this walk is arriving at the postcard perfect meadow – 🌼 the Alpage de Charousse (1200m)- when the blue, pink … Continue reading FAMILY HIKES: l’Alpage de Charousse (Les Houches)
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)
EASTER CRAFT with children
I put together this article last 🐰 Easter, when we were in our first 🏘 CONFINEMENT . . . With some of us yet again confined, and in need of some home activities, here is the updated article! Easter Eggs – dye kits A few years ago, we were given 🥚🎨 an Easter egg dye kit . . . we had a lot of fun … Continue reading EASTER CRAFT with children
ZOOLOGY (animal groups) & GEOGRAPHY LESSON (for 5 to 6 year olds)
I shared a short Facebook post a few weeks ago about some lesson ideas for teaching children about the 🌎 world (continents, the globe, atlases), and the specific 🦒 animals found in certain continents . . . Following on from that, and having played some more games surrounding the world and animal groups, I thought I would elaborate and write a longer article, with more … Continue reading ZOOLOGY (animal groups) & GEOGRAPHY LESSON (for 5 to 6 year olds)
ALPHABET & PHONICS LESSON – for 4 to 6 year olds
I used to be a secondary school teacher . . . but I have had little experience teaching younger children (the fact that I became a secondary school teacher indeed suggests that I chose not to teach younger children!). In these days of confinement, for my own sanity, I need to have a morning routine with my boys (9 and 6 years). My CM1 boy … Continue reading ALPHABET & PHONICS LESSON – for 4 to 6 year olds
ART HISTORY LESSON – teaching your children about VINCENT van GOGH from your home!
I first got really up close and personal with 🌻 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!
SPRING & SUMMER BLOSSOMS and FLOWERS au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)
It’s official in Geneva: 🌺 SPRINGTIME has ARRIVED ! The 🌳 Marronier de la Treille’s first bud appeared this year on Friday 12th March 2021 – 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 first timidly reach out … Continue reading SPRING & SUMMER BLOSSOMS and FLOWERS au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)
PARCOURS ORIENTATION: L’Œuf de Plume La Gypaète (Le Reposoir)
Last weekend was unseasonably 🌸 springlike . . . and MBFF wanted to avoid the winter holiday crowds on our local ski pistes . . . and so I decided to plan an outing a bit further away. I get much inspiration for family visits from my boys’ outings with their garderies, and I remembered that last summer my younger son had headed up to … Continue reading PARCOURS ORIENTATION: L’Œuf de Plume La Gypaète (Le Reposoir)
Site Nordique La Livraz – cross-country skiing & winter walks (Megève)
MBFF has had some lovely family walks up at the ❄️ Site Nordique La Livraz in Megève. Not only is this one of 🎿 Megève’s cross-country skiing areas (there are a handful!), it is also a superb spot for ❄️ a family walk in wintertime, especially with young children or older relatives! You can pull little ones along in a 🛷 a luge and the terrain … Continue reading Site Nordique La Livraz – cross-country skiing & winter walks (Megève)
