We love the Mont Blanc region and have spent two holidays there, but I’m certainly not an expert. So I asked Fiona at Mont Blanc Family Fun to give us her top tips for a family holiday in the Chamonix and Mont Blanc region. She has lived in this area since 2007 and has spent lots of time exploring it with her family and cataloging dozens of fun family activities on her website. Thanks Fiona!
About Fiona & Mont Blanc Family Fun
From Fiona . . . As a family of four (plus two cats!), my husband has lived in the Pays du Mont-Blanc for fifteen years now and myself since 2007. The idea for montblancfamilyfun.com is more recent, and came from the frustration of trying to find activities suitable for a baby/toddler in the Mont Blanc area about seven years ago, when my eldest son was a baby! An area well-adapted to older children and families (skiing, hiking, climbing, mountain biking), the winters are long in this part of the world, and it is not always obvious to find activities to entertain very small children when the weather is challenging! What I have discovered over the years of research for the website is that, in fact, there are more and more amazing options available for little ones, as well as families, and so the aim of montblancfamilyfun.com is to highlight the “best of”. I decided to bring together all of my discoveries for family fun in the Pays du Mont-Blanc onto one website, extending also into neighbouring Italy and Switzerland, as we are at an international mountain crossroads!
Family hikes in the Mont-Blanc region
We have many family hikes to recommend in the Pays du Mont-Blanc, both in the more famous Chamonix area as well as the beautiful surrounding villages and mountains. You can see the our full list here, but here are two of our favourite family hikes to get you started.
For older children, I recommend Lac Blanc to Lacs des Cheserys boucle (Les Praz/Flégère), an iconic Chamonix hike with spectacular views of many mountain peaks and glaciers. There are some very steep sections and some metal ladders, so children may need assistance – but this does also add to the fun of the walk! Details here.
For very young walkers, I recommend the L’Alpage de Charousse (Les Houches) meadow walk, which is one of my favourite walks in the Chamonix Valley, and one that we have really enjoyed with two small walkers. The walk is easy, the distance is perfect for small children, there are suitable picnic spots and great photo opportunities. Details here.
Aiguille du Midi
A trip by cable-car up to the Aiguille du Midi is a highlight for most tourists on a trip to Chamonix, heading up to 3842m for magnificent views of the majestic Mont Blanc and surrounding peaks. There are lots of fun activities and exhibitions at the top, including a 5-sided glass box suspended from the terrace, a pedestrian “pipe” tunnel circling the mountain peak, the highest museum in the word, a variety of restaurants and cafes, etc. If you want to hike, you can go back to the middle station and hike across to a glacier.
Get tips for families visiting Aiguille du Midi
Gorges de la Diosaz gorge
This walk through the beautiful Les Gorges de la Diosaz is a great option both during a summer heatwave, as well as on a slightly drizzly day (we’ve done both!). It is quite the experience to walk along the footpath, and occasionally cross the footbridges over the torrent, admiring the white froth that accumulates at the foot of the multiple waterfalls along the way, and to admire the way that the force of the water has shaped the rock below. A short 20min drive west of Chamonix.
Get details for visiting Gorges de la Diosaz
Jardin des Cimes gardens
These very special gardens have captured our imagination on each of our visits and our children are always eager to show it off to our visitors; it never loses its charm and each season brings new surprises! Besides a fun and pedagogic walk through the gardens, we particularly like workshops for children & adults and special events during the summer months (yoga, tai chi, apéros, concerts . . . ). The gardens are a 30 min drive west of Chamonix.
Read more about Jardin des Cimes gardens
Animal Park – Le Parc de Merlet
This animal park is perched at 1563m, home to around 80 animals that roam freely within the boundaries of the park: chamois, ibex, deer, mouflons, marmottes, and even the odd llama. The animal park was opened in 1967, the idea of local Chamoniard Philippe Cachat, with the aim of conserving the local “patrimoine” and creating a home for indigenous animals, and today it boasts 21 hectares of green pastures, rocks and spruce trees. It also commands exceptional views of the Mont Blanc Massif! With older kids, you can hike up to the park or combine with other mountain hikes. About a 25 min drive from Chamonix.
Get details and tips on when to best see the animals
Swim in Lac de Passy
The largest lake in the Mont-Blanc area is ideal for a swim and a splash during the summer months. It is also frequented by cyclists, joggers, buggy-walkers, fishing enthusiasts, windsurfers, paddle-boarders and dog-walkers. It is truly magical to look up from a swim and see Mont Blanc twinkling in the background! A 30 min drive from Chamonix.
Playgrounds
After a long day on the trail, it’s nice to reward the kids with some playground time. We’ve spent seven years discovering and testing playgrounds in the Pays du Mont-Blanc and have created a list highlighting our personal favorites.
See the full list of favorite playgrounds in the Mont Blanc region
Rainy Day
You can’t order the weather, so it’s always good to have a Plan B. If the kids need to run off some energy, try one of these indoor playgrounds and sport centers in the area.
Get list and details for indoor playgrounds in the Mont Blanc region
Thanks Fiona! With these tips, I’m even more excited to plan my next trip to the Mont Blanc region.
Text and photos by Fiona from Mont Blanc Family Fun
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