With family
What can the family do in the mountains this summer?
The mountains are an incredible playground for all the family! Adventure parks, hiking trails, cultural visits… the full range of activities available in resorts with the Famille Plus label. The advantage? All the service providers with the Famille Plus label offer prices and deals to suit all the members of your family.
Zen and contemplative activities
Mountain walks galore
From forests to mountain pastures, mountain walks are a great way to explore valleys, picturesque villages and hidden lakes with the whole family. Your next holiday will be an opportunity to get some height and enjoy the incomparable scenery that the mountains have to offer. Contrary to popular belief, the most beautiful hikes are not necessarily reserved for great hikers! This is the perfect opportunity to discover the pleasures of the peaks at any age.
On foot, mountain bike, horseback, accompanied by a donkey, a dog or even a llama! Choose your travelling companion and set off on an adventure!
Walking with animals is a genuinely new approach to hiking, particularly popular with children. Contact with animals is a source of wonder and motivation to keep going!
For a change from the classic hike, choose a themed trail. These fun, child-friendly trails will have you following in the footsteps of animals and mountain heritage, often with a snack in the mountain pastures at the end.
In Praz sur Arly, the Chemin des Contrebandiers is a themed trail with a comic strip adventure on the ground. The walk, a real treasure hunt, takes families on a discovery of the mountain pastures with the help of the Crêt du Midi chairlift. In the Vosges, at La Bresse Hohneck, children can set off on a treasure hunt called Les Aventures de Rose et Louis à la Bresse, a fun way for their parents to discover the Bresse forest. A route map is available free of charge from the Bresse Tourist Office. In Méribel, a themed trail features an animal discovery game called “Nous sommes là, même si vous ne nous voyez pas” (“We’re here, even if you can’t see us”).
Hiking with your baby? There are two possibilities. The first is to take a pushchair trail (at Alpe d’Huez, Saint-François Longchamp, Le Mont Dore, etc.). These wide paths are not very steep and are perfect for pushchairs, small bikes or even scooters! The second option is to hire a rucksack to carry your baby in one of the sports equipment hire shops with the Famille Plus label.
Head for the beach… in the mountains!
Whether it’s in a mountain lake or an aqualudic centre, the resorts with the Famille Plus label all offer a safe, well-equipped watering hole where young and old can come and cool off in complete peace and quiet.
The Bruyères aqualudic centre in Les Menuires, the Orcières leisure centre, the Err aqualudic park in Font-Romeu… They all offer great fun with play pools, water cannons and slides for all ages.
An introduction to the pleasures of family fishing
Fishing in a mountain lake is an excellent way to get some fresh air and recharge your batteries in a magnificent setting.
In Val d’Isère, Lac de l’Ouillette is the perfect place for the whole family to enjoy a spot of fishing!
Val Thorens and its Bruyères lake will delight all fishing enthusiasts with its fario trout: a delicious dish accompanied by lemon juice.
Adrenalin activities
Cycling for kids!
Cycling is still an excellent way for the whole family to do some sport. Whether you’re cycling along shady paths, around a lake or up a slope, there are plenty of cycle routes in the mountains that are accessible to everyone!
In Gérardmer, for example, mountain bikers can hurtle down the 300km or so of marked mountain bike trails. Those who prefer the road can choose to climb a Vosges pass or cycle around a lake!
In Le Grand Bornand, try an electrically-assisted bike (VAE): discover the pleasure of setting off into the sunset with the comfort of a good Savoyard dish! Back to the headlamp.
At Arêches-Beaufort, beginners and children can try their hand at mountain biking in a free beginners’ area with a pump-track circuit and mini-shore.
Accrobranche, the must-do activity
An original and fun activity, accrobranche takes you up into the trees to experience the joys of zip-lines, Tarzan lianas and other monkey bridges!
At Les Orres, for example, there’s a course for children aged 3 and over, with zip-lines, paintball, a labyrinth… It’s a real treat!
At Val d’Allos – Le Seignus, the Jungle Parc is specially designed for children. It offers 5-13 year olds a safe aerial ride.
In Méribel, you can climb trees, cross monkey bridges and walk on a rope in complete safety at “Méribel Aventure”.
Children aged 3 and over will love the Espace Valberg Aventure in Valberg, with its 4 courses in the larch forest.
Thrill-seekers will also love the giant zip-lines that are becoming increasingly popular in the mountains.
For the adventurous, rafting and via-ferrata
From the age of 8 upwards, these original and sporting activities are great fun for all the family.
This summer, go rafting down the torrents at Saint Lary Soulan, Serre Chevalier or Les 2 Alpes…
Or choose a sensational via-ferrata course in Courchevel, Vaujany, Dévoluy…
Summer sledging, fasten your seatbelt!
Some resorts with the Famille Plus label offer summer sledging, including Villard de Lans / Corrençon and Mont-Dore in the Puy de Dôme. Tobogganing is practised on slopes specially designed for this exhilarating but safe pastime: a cocktail of fun and adrenalin for young and old alike! Enjoy the pleasures of sliding even in summer!
Cultural activities
Discovering mountain history and heritage
If your children love stories and castles, if they want to know all about the stars or farm animals, a stay in the mountains is the perfect opportunity to feed their imagination. Take Besse Super Besse, for example, where they can discover the medieval and Renaissance town of Besse and its rich architectural and historical past via a fun interpretation trail.
A day indoors? Head for the library or games library
The Family Plus resorts also offer libraries and games libraries, as at Montclar, where you can borrow books for a quiet day out or to occupy the long summer evenings. A quieter activity, but just as much fun!
Children’s clubs and nurseries that welcome your whole tribe at least 6 days a week.
Finally, why not take advantage of these holidays to spend some time with your grown-ups? There’s no better way to unwind. All the resorts with the Famille Plus label are committed to welcoming children aged 18 months and over and providing parents with suitable, safe childcare facilities. Bookings can be made in advance of your stay.
