Amphion fishingIt’s impossible not to visit Bernex and take to the track in a Bob Kart. These maneuverable little machines with brakes let you have fun on a mountainous track, but on a gentle slope to ensure the safety of the little drivers.
A word of advice to parents: be careful at the refreshment posts, as the mini-pilots are likely to need a hefty dose of fuel (preferably cakes and sweets!).
Wandering from tree to tree between ladders, monkey bridges, footbridges and zip lines is always a breathtaking adventure for children, who oscillate between excitement and mastery of their emotions and apprehensions.
In the Pays d’Evian Vallée d’Abondance, there’s a wide range of activities on offer, with no fewer than three practice sites to be found in Abondance (Arbr’acadabra, 6 courses + 1 Hobbit course from 2 years), Saint-Gingolph (Léman Forest, Forêt des Mômes for 2-7 year olds + 5 courses from green to black) and Saint Paul en Chablais (Indiana Parc La Beunaz, Ptit Kid at 1m from the ground, Indiana Kid for children under 1.35m and Indiana Park beyond).
Tip for parents: don’t be surprised if, on your return, the kids have only one idea in mind: to install zip-lines between the different rooms in the house.
Accrobranche Parc'aventure Abondance The children take on the role of managers of the ferruginous spring. Their mission: to ensure that Amphion becomes a very popular spa on the shores of Lake Geneva. To achieve this, they’ll need to be astute strategists, constantly innovating, adapting to demand and negotiating with the government of the House of Savoy. But you’ll also need to pay close attention to the various clues and tests scattered around Maxima Park.
Parents’ tip: by the end of the game, your children will have become fierce negotiators and skilled strategists, and may well use their new-found powers to convince you to manage the end-of-holiday schedule…
Maxima treasure hunt, every Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. at Parc Maxima in Amphion.
So yes, of course, they’re far too young to understand this cinematic reference to Luc Besson’s The Big Blue. But their eyes will nevertheless light up when we offer them this scuba diving baptism in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Geneva. Accompanied by instructor Dominique Perrin, they’ll experience this magical moment without fear, as they flirt with the local flora and fauna.
Tip for parents: teach your children that “diving” on the kitchen side is an adventure they’d do well to experience too.
Children’s baptisms start at €40.
He or she may ask you to hold his or her hand as he or she falls asleep at night, but claims to be a true adventurer capable of fending for himself or herself in the wilderness… Before you let him or her off for 4 days with only a Swiss Army knife and a comforter, let him or her taste this gentle wave of freedom with a day out in the wilderness dedicated to the life of the Indians, between gathering, bow-making, picnicking around a teepee and tasting marshmallows caramelized over a wood fire.
Parents’ tip: don’t blame him if, 48 hours after this day, he still refuses to wear shoes and asks you to call him Nuage Intrépide or Aigle Blanc aux ailes dorés.
Les Petits Trappeurs – Wednesdays from 14/07 to 25/08.
She dreams of galloping across fields with her hair blowing in the wind and/or taking part in the world’s greatest horse-riding competitions. In the meantime, she’s only 4 years old… and not all her teeth yet. To lay the first milestone in this budding career, there’s nothing better than a pony ride to get her started. And it’s a good thing that outings for all levels are organized every week in the area!
Tip for parents: here’s a great opportunity to give the kids a treat… and to reconcile yourself with these beautiful four-legged companions!
Please register in advance with the Tourist Office in each commune.
From 08/07 to 27/08, Monday (Bernex & Publier), Tuesday (Abondance), Thursday (Thollon les Mémises), Friday (La Chapelle d’Abondance)
Bernex Equestrian Center 
Ateliers Maison Du Fromage Les Petits Fromagers Abondance During this fun-filled workshop, children discover the whole history of cheese, from field to plate, and find answers to all their questions, from where the milk comes from, to the meaning of PDO, the utensils needed to make it, or the presence of holes in certain cheeses. Above all, they literally get hands-on with the cheese-making process… a taste experience that gives the final tasting a whole new flavor.
Tip for parents: next time, find out if there are similar workshops on vegetables, so that the kids can get hooked on broccoli and green beans too.
Les Petits Fromages workshops, Thursdays and Fridays in July and August from 10am to 12pm.
Maison du Fromage, Abondance, ages 6 to 12.
For once, kids have a good reason to borrow your smartphone or take out theirs!
And what’s more, this good reason encourages them to get moving and walk… With the free Publier Aventures app, you can discover the city in a fun and interactive way. Five different routes are proposed, lasting from 1h15 to 3h. Everyone becomes a player in the stroll, in turn having the mission of solving riddles and searching for clues (Le Mystère des Sources), engaging in a treasure hunt to learn more about nature (Aquachasse) or letting themselves be guided by the virtual coach on the sports course (Parcous Forme).
Tip for parents: If your children ask for your phone at 11.15pm on the pretext that they want to use Publier Aventures, don’t be fooled… 😉
Publier Aventures app, free on Android and iOS
It’s not certain that your little ones will suddenly become the future hopefuls of French golf. But you’ve got to start at some point and learn the basics of the game… So, to introduce them to a mix of sport and leisure in idyllic spots, let’s launch into a frantic, family-friendly game of mini-golf. There are two options: take to the heights at the new Bernex mini-golf course, or let yourself be tempted by an experience on the shores of Lake Geneva at Publier, with two themed courses: the Tropical, with 18 tracks to explore in equatorial vegetation and a stream, or the Alpine, shaded by trees and waterfalls.
Parents’ tip: make it clear to your children that the golf club should never be used as a means of defense against their brothers and sisters.
Juggling, aerial figures and balancing, the Circo Bello Circus Arts Center propels children into its whimsical, fairytale universe through free initiations at 5 local spots. Two hours of discovery and sharing, followed by a show. For once, your children are allowed to be clowns…
Tip for parents: stash away the porcelain dishes you inherited from your great-grandmother when you return from this initiation!
Circus workshop with Circo Bello, from 19/07 to 13/08, Mondays in Bernex (salle Bernolande), Tuesdays in Thollon les Mémises (in front of the Tourist Office), Wednesdays in La Chapelle d’Abondance (Théâtre de verdure), Thursdays in Publier (beach), Fridays in Abondance (sous la Halle).
