Looking for summer activities for the kids while you’re in Thollon or nearby? Or just searching for a little inspiration generally? Here’s a selection of some amazing things on offer in the Chablais and a little beyond this summer.
Some days are simply meant for playing
Stop kicking the table! But I’mmm bored…. well, go and tidy your room then…no…feed the cat….no…. read something….no, but I’m reeeelly bored….and on it goes.
Whether you’re a parent, a grandparent, or just a big kid yourself, you’re probably familiar with the plaintiff cry of the mini me, it goes something like …..
….‘whaaaaaat are we doing todaaaay’?
It’s a cry that can strike fear into the heart of the most dedicated children’s entertainer, bottle washer, and general tidy upper.
Instead of slipping into panic mode or reaching for the gin, here are some cool, fun things to do close to the eastern end of Lake Geneva.
Let’s start with the great outdoors
Here in the Chablais, we’re surrounded by ‘the great outdoors’. We have mountains, alpine meadows, rushing rivers, cycle tracks, lakes, beaches, and so much more.
Rock Climbing with Alpevianature (from 6 yrs upwards)
If you’re looking for something a bit more adventurous than just a walk in the hills perhaps a little rock climbing could fit the bill. Alpevianature organise ‘discover rock climbing sessions’ including safety aspects for children from the age of 6. They also supply all equipment necessary. Sessions last for 2 hours or half a day. Climbs are adapted for age and experience.
Group sessions from 6-8 year olds – a maximum of 6 children. For children over 8 a maximum of 8 per group.
Material: All material is provided. You will need to bring a pair of trainers or climbing shoes, small backpack, a bottle of water, biscuits and dried fruits.
| Price: 45 euros per person, 165 euros for a group. For more information see: http://alpevianature.com/escalade-et-via-ferrata/ To book: e-mail guidepaysdevian@gmail.com or contact the tourist offices in Bernex, Thollon, Abondance or La Chapelle d’Abondance |
Via Ferrata for older children – from 12 years old upwards
Via Ferrata are metal rungs, safety wires and/or ladders, and metal walkways permanently fixed to a rockface. They enable you to cross steep rockfaces safely as you’re constantly attached to a steel cable.
It’s an exhilarating experience for children from the age of 12 upwards and perfect for big kids as they offer adult sessions too. Children must be accompanied by an adult, no dogs.
the mud will wash off but the memories will last a lifetime
| Level: accessible from 12 yrs old (1m40 and 40 kgs), maximum 120 kg Material: As for rock climbing above Price: Initiation : 45 € / per person, 165 € per group (max. 8 pers) For more information see: http://alpevianature.com/escalade-et-via-ferrata/ To book: e-mail guidepaysdevian@gmail.com or contact the tourist offices in Bernex, Thollon, Abondance or La Chapelle d’Abondance |
Leman Forest at St Gingolph – from 2 years old upwards
A great way to burn off some energy and have some good outdoor fun is at the Leman Forest woodland adventure playground. With over 1km of forest rope walks, tunnels, nets, zip wires, and 100+ games to play in the trees, there’s plenty to keep the whole family occupied.
Adults and children 8 years or older can enjoy the 3 hour long descent alongside a waterfall with stunning views over the lake and the mountains.
play is a super power
For the over 16s there’s the ‘Black Run’ where you can cross the French/Swiss border by zipwire.
For younger children there are 2 ‘Lutin’ courses for 5-8 year olds and 2 ‘Bambino’ courses especially adapted for 2-5 year olds.
If that’s not enough activity for one day, there’s also the outdoor laser game for age 6 and above.
Refreshments and light snacks available and there’s a picnic area with panoramic views.
| Reservations necessary and can be made by phone: 04 50 76 74 74 and via the contact form on the Leman Forest website Open April-end Oct, see website for details of opening hours. |
Barryland, Martigny, Valais – the home of the famous St. Bernard dogs
Here in the Chablais we’re on the doorstep of the home of the iconic St Bernard dogs. Barryland is dedicated to the history of these well-known dogs and is also a training and breeding centre.
At certain times of the year, you can visit the kennels to see the latest batch of newborn puppies before they leave for their forever homes. See the Facebook page for details of new puppy arrivals.
There are several dogs at the centre and every afternoon there’s a supervised petting session with a St Bernard for children. They can also take part in feeding time at around 17h00.
Hiking with a St Bernard Dog – 8 years old upwards
In July and August, you can hike part of the Great St Bernard Pass accompanied by a guide and her St Bernard dogs.
The hike lasts around 1h30 at an altitude of 2400 metres and takes place in all weathers (although will be cancelled in extreme circumstances).
kids don’t need more toys – they need more adventures
This is a hike for experienced walkers and children must be 8 years or over. Some sections are steep and you need to be in good physical condition.
For safety reasons mountain boots and suitable clothing are necessary. The number of participants is limited to 10 people divided into a maximum of 3 groups (1 dog per group).
| For more information see: https://fondation-barry.ch/en/activities Location: Hospice du Grand-Saint-Bernard 1946 Bourg-Saint-Pierre Switzerland Online booking at event@fondation-barry.ch Important information: Participants’ own dogs are not permitted May be cancelled if the weather conditions are really bad |
Workshop for Children – Understanding Dogs and how to Interact with them – 6 – 10 years old
I wish I’d been able to do this as a child! This is a workshop where children aged 6-10 learn how to interact with dogs, how to gain their confidence and how to make a lifelong friend.
| When: one Wednesday and Sunday per month Time: from 13h45 – 15h00 Where: Barryland, Martigny (see reservation calender for more information) Reservations online: https://www.fondation-barry.ch/fr/activites/#chiots Children must be accompanied by an adult |
Donkey Trekking in Thollon, on the slopes of the Memises
Another fun way to experience the spectacular countryside of the Chablais is donkey trekking.
La Ferme du Genti’Anes at Thollon les Memises organise excursions for children along woodland paths rich in wildlife. You can meander along little known tracks with panoramic views with one of their four resident donkeys, Calicot, Igor, Gigolo or Casimir. Read more about them here
Excursions can either be for half a day, either morning or afternoon, or you can choose to amble along for the whole day.
| Prices : 1/2 day : 50 euros per donkey, Full day: 70 euros per donkey. Included in the cost: – A short training session on how to interact with your donkey and how to guide him – A hardhat for children – A hiking map with notes to guide you Not included Picnic and drinks Adresse : 164 route des Mémises, 74500 Thollon-les-Mémises Téléphone : 07 87 17 23 68 Website: https://lafermedesgentianes.com/ |
Beunaz Water Park – St Paul en Chablais
The Beunaz waterpark is a natural lake situated at 900 metres in the heart of the Chablais, close to St Paul en Chablais.
Open every day in July and August and on bank holidays and weekends in June, it’s a popular spot for local families and sun-seekers.
Image by Indianadventures – plage de la beunaz
So much to do
La Beunaz adventure playpark has an array of great amenities and activities to make your day truly unforgettable.
If you’re looking for aquatic fun, there’s a large swimming pool fed by lake water, complete with diving boards and inflatables. Lifeguards are on duty during July and August to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. There’s also a shallow paddling pool for little ones.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there! Take to the water and explore the surroundings with pedalos, paddle boards, and canoes. Or feel the wind in your hair on a zipwire.
Put your climbing skills to the test with exciting tree-climbing activities, there are several different tree top trails depending on age. Children can also burn off a bit of excess energy on the trampolines.
New this year is the possibility to rent a pontoon or wooden shelter by the lake side, perfect if you want to bring a picnic, a good book or just to relax in the sun.
If relaxing isn’t your thing you can take part in a lively game of petanque or challenge fellow visitors to a match on the volleyball pitch. It’s the perfect way to stay active and have a blast in the great outdoors.
Sleep under the stars
If you’re looking to extend your adventure, there’s a range of unique overnight accommodation.
Sleep under the stars in a cosy tipi, yurt, or cabins nestled within the trees. It’s a magical experience that allows you to fully immerse yourself in nature.
For detailed pricing information on overnight stays and all offerings, please visit the website or contact the super friendly staff.
| There’s a snack bar and a restaurant, ‘A la Belle Etoile’, open at lunchtimes, and by reservation only in the evenings Open: June till September the restaurant is open 7/7 from 11h – 23h. Information and reservation on 04 50 72 14 37 |
Chateau Chillon near Montreux – for children of all ages, including the ‘big kids’
Do you remember visiting a castle when you were a kid, maybe on a school trip, and thinking how incredible they were? Magical but a bit creepy all at the same time. Well, whatever that was, Chateau Chillon has it in buckets. It has everything a proper castle should have… and more.
Firstly, there’s the moat, well, not actually a moat…more of a lake really because the chateau sits in Lake Geneva. It’s connected by a small bridge to the shoreline at Montreux. There’s also a wooden drawbridge, another tick on the list of top castles.
play is the highest form of research
It has turrets, covered wooden walkways with arrow slit in the walls, large rooms, small rooms, treasure chests and wine cellars and views to die for, quite literally. Because like all good castles, Chateau Chillon has a murky history.
Down in the deep dark dungeons are remnants of the pillars and chains where the prisoners who occupied the chateau over the centuries were kept.
There’s also the gallows. Many met their end here while gazing across the lake to the distant mountains.
All in all, it’s a castle that fits the brief in every way, which is what makes it Switzerland’s number one tourist destination.
Here’s an example of some of the tours on offer at Chateau Chillon this summer:
‘Daily Life in the Middle Ages’ – for all the family
Every Sunday afternoon there are free guided tours themed around discovering what people ate in the castle, how they cleaned their teeth, how did they wear their hair, and much more.
| Dates: Sundays from April – September Time: in English at 16h15, in French at 15h15, and in German at 14h15 (lasts for 50 mins) Meeting point: 1st courtyard |
Chateau Chillon always has cool exhibitions and events going on. You can learn all about medieval life, check out some awesome art, and really get a feel for how this castle shaped the region’s history.
So whether you’re a history buff, an art enthusiast, or just looking for a good time, Chateau Chillon is definitely worth a visit.
You can get to Chillon Castle via the A9 motorway, Villeneuve or Montreux junctions. Chillon Castle is by the lakeside between Montreux (4 km away) and Villeneuve (2 km away).
The Olympic Museum in Lausanne – Perfect for a wet day
Fancy owning your own Olympic torch or showing off your Olympic medals?
The Olympic Museum on the Quai d’Ouchy in Lausanne celebrates everything associated with this legendary sporting event.
During the summer they’re organising “Design Your Own Torch” and “Design Your Own Medal” workshops for children age 6-9 and 9-12 on the last Wednesday of every month.
Unique and vibrant
Here, children are encouraged to express their interpretation of the Olympic spirit through various forms of art. They could choose to recreate the iconic Olympic rings, design their own medals, or even draw a poster for the upcoming games. The Art Lab staff are on hand to assist and provide materials, but creativity is left to the children.
These activities enable children to explore different sports, the values of the Olympics, and express themselves artistically, making the Olympic Museum in Lausanne a unique and vibrant place for children to visit this summer.
| From: 29 Jun 2022 to 04 Dec 2023 Wed 14:30 – 16:00 Price: Wednesday workshop 10chfMore info: See Olympic Museum official website |
The museum is also offering #STRONGERTOGETHER tours celebrating solidarity, respect and friendship at the Olympic Games.
(There is also a special “Memories of the Games” tour for you to share your Olympic memories with the family – available only in French (for ages 6 and over)
| When: the first Sunday of every month, in English, French and German (for ages 9 and over) Time: Sun 11:00 – 12:00, 14:30 – 16:00 Price: Sunday Tour: 5chf Number of participants is limited. Booking required Tel: 41 21 621 65 11Address: Quai d’Ouchy 1 1006 Lausanne |
is is only a small selection of all the amazing children’s activities taking place this summer around Lake Geneva. I just don’t have space to include anymore! I hope it’s given you a few ideas for those days when you’re racking your brains for something new or a bit different to do….
