For many first-time parents, taking the baby on his or her first holiday is both exciting and worrying.
If you chose Chamonix as a destination for this summer season, there is no need to be worried. We assure you that once you get in the Chamonix Valley a wide range of activities will be waiting for you and your little ones.
Have a fun and stress-free vacation with your baby in Chamonix. Check out the list below and discover lots of activities which will keep your little treasure entertained.
For nature lovers:
Bring your kid to find out more about the Chamonix stunning valley, explore natural habitats of animals throughout Chamonix by visiting one of the zoos or nature reserves.
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Merlet Animal Park
If you are in Chamonix, you will have to travel first to Les Houches. Don't worry, it's just a 10 minute drive to Les Houches.
To get to Merlet Animal Park from Les Houches, cross the river and take the road up to Le Coupeau. Detailed directions with GPS coordinates and opening times and dates can be found on the dedicated Merlet Animal Park page.
The Parc Animalier de Merlet is not a zoo - the park is a huge open area with the animals roaming free.
Access by car is recommended for little ones and you may also want to consider a kiddie back or an off-roading style buggy due to rough terrain.
Backpacks that will hold babies or small children can be hired from Snell Sports in Chamonix.
Entrance is approximately €8 for Adults, €5 for Children (4 to 14 years), and free for Under 4’s.
Group price from 15 pers, on reservation: Adults €5,50; Children €3,50
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Le Pontet Leisure Park, Les Contamines
Fun for all the family at the foot of Mont-Blanc! Here you can enjoy a memorable, active and relaxing day.
The biggest natural leisure park in the region has over 20 activities to offer, from mountain biking, bungee trampolines and mini golf, to rock and tree climbing.
Under 3’s love splashing in the shallow swimming lake, playing in the playground, fishing in the small stream and hitching a ride on the pedal boats.
There is plenty of parking at the La Gorge cable car and a restaurant/ café to get any essentials. For more info visit their official website.
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Le Paradis des Praz
At 2.5km from Chamonix centre, Le Paradis des Praz is an amazing place along a small river with an outdoor play area for kids (from 2 to 7 year old).
A little adventure playground with a natural water course that fills a small lake, aerial slides, dinghy boats, swings and pony rides, perfect to keep your young ones entertained for hours.
Refreshments and snacks are served from mid-June to early September from the cabin.
For adventure lovers:
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Chamonix Swimming Pools
At the Centre Sportif Richard Bozon in Chamonix you can find a kids playing pool and a paddling pool. The complex also has a hydro slide for all ages!
Open most afternoons, the pools are nice and warm with a big slide, if kids are feeling brave. If you take your Carte d’Hôtes (provided by your accommodation) adults get a discount, and free entrance for under 6’s.
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Lac de Passy
The nearest to Chamonix and the biggest lake around. Perfect place for barbecue or just hangout with your family.
How to get here? Take the motorway in the direction Geneva. Come off at Le Fayet, turn left at the first set of lights and drive towards Sallanches. 2km after Intermarche there is a signposted right turn for the lake; before you get to Sallanches.
The beach has a very shallow gradient into the water and surrounding trees provide shady spots if needed, making it ideal for youngsters. There is plenty of parking and a couple of café’s onsite, as well as watersports, karting and mountain bike trails for older kids and adults.
Bucket and spade definitely recommended for this one! For more info: Lac de Passy.
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Les Planards Leisure Park
Tobogganing on rails is a fun activity for everyone. Ideally located near the centre of Chamonix, opposite the Montenvers train station, so very easy to find.
It is an ideal place to have a good time with family, with your friends or in a group. There you will find several activities for children and adults.
Games, tobogganing on rails, slides, trampolines and more. In addition, you can try electric motorcycles, outdoor play areas, giant swing, splash boat, play areas…
Free parking with 800 spaces is available.
You will also find many places to rest: bar-restaurants or country-style meals in the picnic areas.
More info, timetables and prices: Chamonix Park Les Planards.
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Montenvers Train & Mer de Glace
The Montenvers Train seems to be the greatest and most expected trip for the little ones. It takes about 20 minutes to ascend on the train and when at the top you will have the opportunity to get the Mer de Glace cable car to the ice caves.
If you decide to brave the ice cave, there are 430 (not exactly child friendly) steps to date, you may want to carry little ones. Not to worry if you don’t fancy the steps, at the top there is a café, a shop, a restaurant and plenty of space to roam around and take in the view. For prices and timetables visit Montenvers Train & Mer de Glace page.
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Le Petit Train (Tourist Train in Chamonix)
One way to find your way around town in the summer is to hop aboard the miniature tourist train that trundles daily through Chamonix from early May to mid-October.
The iconic red and white ‘Petit’ train leaves every 30 minutes from outside the Post Office, the Montenvers Train Station and the Aiguille du Midi lift station.
It’s quite an exciting trip for children, especially for those with a fondness of trains! Come have a memorable ride. It costs 6€ for adults and 4€ for children and operates throughout the summer months only.
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Chamonix Creches & Babysitting
There are a number of crèches and supervised craft sessions should you need a rest day, and "mum and tots" sessions on Thursday mornings at the church near the railway station in Chamonix.
