Parks & gardens

Public park in Ambilly with shaded lawns, a biotope pond, accessible paths and two children's play areas, right opposite the town hall.

8th largest theme park in France with 4 worlds: summer Liberté, Médiévales, Hameau du Père Noël and Grand Parc de Noël. Adult 'Malin' €15 (D-5), 'Liberté' €18.

On the shore of Lake Annecy, the Jardins de l'Europe form an English-style arboretum laid out in 1863: 250 remarkable trees, free 24/7 access.

La Grande Jeanne wildlife park above Annecy: deer, chamois, marmots, boars in semi-freedom in the Semnoz forest. Free access.

5-hectare public garden on the shore of Lake Annecy: rose garden, aviary, perennial border, beach and terraces opening onto the Casino Imperial.

Indoor play park at Argonay (Annecy): inflatables, slides, trampolines, 0-3 area. Great for birthdays, rainy days and afternoon tea.

Treetop adventure park at Bellevaux (74): 8 trails, 70 workshops, ziplines from age 3. Children's island €10, ages 6–16 €17, adult €23. May to October.

Small free alpine garden in Bellevaux (Chablais), behind the church: mountain plants — edible, toxic, medicinal — pond and play area.

Organic goat farm in Bellevaux: Chevrotin AOP, tomme, raclette, cheese-making workshops, sensory trail, escape game and unusual accommodations.

Les Planards, Chamonix's big leisure park: a four-season alpine coaster from age 3, 13 attractions from age 1, and a beginners' ski area in winter, 5 minutes from the centre. Access, seasons and verified information.

Free public leisure area open year-round at Aviernoz (Fillière), at the foot of the Parmelan: children's playground, picnic tables, barbecue. Pets welcome.

Landscaped botanical garden in La Balme-de-Sillingy: ~50 themed plots and the national collection of Asian flowering cherries. A gentle visit from spring to autumn.

Alpine animal park at 1,500 m altitude facing Mont-Blanc. Ibex, chamois, marmots roaming freely over 21 hectares. Adults €9, children €6. Reservation required.

Suspended catamaran-net Parcabout 3–15 m up at the foot of the Salève. No harness, from birth. Open 365 days/year. Adult €25, seniors €16.

A UCPA leisure centre 15 minutes from Geneva: 25 m pool, 9 slides, balneotherapy, spa, 14 m climbing wall, play area. Water park adult day pass €29, 4 hours €25.

Landscape alpine garden facing the Mont-Blanc massif — 5 themed gardens (kitchen, sensory, exotic, alpine, rockery) at Plateau d'Assy, Passy.

Educational farm in Vallières-sur-Fier (5 min from Rumilly): guided visits, farm animals, holiday workshops for children and nature birthdays.

Franco-Swiss tree-climbing park at Saint-Gingolph: 10 courses, 140 challenges, smugglers' zip-line and outdoor laser game. From age 2, 20 min from Évian.

Tree playground for children aged 3–12 in Saint-Jorioz, on the shore of Lake Annecy. Rates from €13/child, online booking on the official website.

National 'Jardin Remarquable' label and scientific direction by the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle since 1936. 2,500 alpine species. FREE entry.

Bird of prey park in Sciez, 8 hectares with 350 birds of 80 species, daily free-flight shows. Adults €15, schedules and online ticketing available.

300 m² virtual-reality centre at Grand Épagny (Sillingy): 80+ VR experiences, from age 8 with an adult. From €14 per session. Sibra bus line 7.

1,200+ m² indoor playground in Sillingy (15 min from Annecy): giant maze, slides, trampolines, mini-karts and laser game from age 4.

Public park on the heights of Taninges: former domain of Count Joachim de la Grange (18th c.), Clos du Chalet 1857. Free access all year round.

Indoor play park for 0–12 at Thonon-les-Bains: 3 age zones, mini karting. 1–3 €7, 3–12 €10, under 1 free. Closed 23–24 May (Whitsun).

Alpine botanical garden at the Col des Montets in the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve. Free trail, summer access. Mont-Blanc views.

Les Jardins Secrets in Vaulx near Annecy: 33 Middle-East-inspired spaces, patios, fountains and kiosks. Remarkable garden.

Indoor play park for children aged 0–12 at Ville-la-Grand near Annemasse: 1,200 m², karting, indoor sledge run. Ages 4–12 €13, 1–3 €8, under 1 free.

Dinosaur park at Viry: 35 life-size sculptures, botanical garden and mini-farm on 1.5 ha. Adult EUR 10, child 3-11 EUR 7, under 3 free.

Largest indoor play park in the French Genevois for children 0–12. Entry €14.90 (>95 cm), €9.90 (<95 cm), under 12 months free, 1 adult free per paying child.

Remarkable Garden in Yvoire's heart, medieval maze of 2,600 m² with 1,500+ plant varieties, 5 sensory gardens. Adults €15, children €8.50. Open April-October.

The Pré Curieux Water Gardens in Évian: outstanding water garden on the shore of Lake Geneva, accessed by shuttle boat. Guided tour, April-October.