Exciting holidays are still possible once you have children, and the French mountains are an ideal destination for little ones, says Alison Willis from France holiday specialists Lagrange…
Having a baby doesn’t have to mean the end to days of throwing everything in a rucksack and heading off into the sunset on an adventure; it just means you might have to make a list first, then throw everything into your rucksack, grab the change bag and then head off. While babies are very small, they are infinitely portable, and toddlers although less portable will find even the smallest adventure fascinating. With that in mind, why not get back to being your old self and head to the Alps or Pyrenees to blow away the cobwebs and get your kids hooked on fresh air and walks.
Trains and little ones go very well together. It’s easy to assume because you have the baby paraphernalia to cart around that you are reliant on a car for all your holidays, but toddlers find train travel fascinating and the French high-speed TGVs mean that long journeys don’t feel endless. Ever-changing scenery can keep them busy for the first hour or two, while a few well-chosen toys and books and a trip to the buffet while away the rest of the time.
Worried about travelling with cot, high chair, baby bath and even a week’s worth of nappies and formula? Many self-catering properties will loan or hire the basics to guests and there are even companies, such as Bebebel.co.uk, that will deliver packs of baby essentials that will last your holiday to your accommodation in advance of your arrival.
The mountains are great for soft adventure – just pick a base that’s not too high so you won’t have to worry about super chilly evenings and problems with altitude. Villages like Samoens in the Alps or St Lary in the Pyrenees are ideal as both have a real villagey feel to them, complete with friendly locals to coo over your little darlings as you pop out to the boulangerie for croissants or relax on a sunny café terrace. Little ones will be fascinated by the different accents and languages they’ll hear, and never underestimate the interest that new places with all their new sights, sounds and smells can have for a toddler.
The sports shops that in the winter hire out skis and snowboards will often have all-terrain buggies available for summer walking. Hire one of these for some “extreme” hiking that all the family can enjoy and leave your lightweight Maclaren run-around at your apartment or chalet. Plus, hiring a buggy means that you’re not so worried if it gets muddy, as it won’t be coming back on the train with you.
Mountain gondolas whizz you and your family up to the slopes and the views will impress everyone. Tourist offices are full of ideas for activities en famille; a guided walk to spot flora and fauna can be enjoyed by everyone on some level, and marked paths can be recommended to suit your family group.
Nappy changes in meadows of Alpine flowers, bib-free picnics on sunny rocks and barefoot paddles in cool streams – free of all the trappings of civilised baby-dom, you and your little one will thrive.
And, if you fancy an afternoon hurtling around on a mountain bike, reliving your misspent youth, then there’s always the fantastic crèche facilities offered in most resorts.
Resources
Useful guidebooks include Lonely Planet’s Travel with Children, The Rough Guide to Travel with Babies and Young Children and Footprint’s Travel with Kids.
Find holiday accommodation in Samoens and St Lary and across the Alps and Pyrenees with
www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk. Author: Alison Willis