Sunday morning, 9h30, backpack with hot drinks and a picnic. La Vattay is our destination for some mountain air! 

Departure from La Vattay!

With our 9- and 10-year-old boys, we are heading to La Vattay, well known for its cross-country skiing area. Today we decided to simply walk (the circuit is also possible with snowshoes). Previously, we tested circuits 1 and 2. Therefore, we decided to try n°3, which promises an extraordinary view. The sun is shining, the sky is blue, and we are going to have a great time. 

From the last parking, we walk for 10 minutes to the cashier to purchase our pedestrian passes. And off we go! 

From the underwood, we reach the snowy plateau. There is a light north wind that day, but we are warmly dressed. We walk along the cross-country ski trails of La Vattay and sometimes cross them. Above all, we admire the beauty of the landscape. 

Taking a stroll at La Vattay

I am constantly in awe of the silence, the beauty of the nature, the snow shining in the sun. When the boys reach the crossroads, they are reluctant to keep going. After a short break and a good dose of motivation, we decide to begin ascending the Gélinotte circuit. A famous itinerary in the Nordic domain of La Vattay. A bit of climbing is involved, but the views of Europe are well worth it! 

A panorama to be earned

The boys and I go up at our own pace (well at least that’s the case for the boys). A stunning panorama awaits us once we reach the summit: the sky is clear, and we can see the Mont Blanc, the Alps chain, and a small part of Lake Geneva. A spectacular view awaits you at the top of the mountain – it was worth the climb. Their favorite part is the view as well as the bumps around to for some make-shift sliding. Oddly enough, they’re not tired anymore 🙂

It’s time to build up some strength. Nothing could be more beautiful than a picnic under Europe’s roof! Our gazes remain fixed on the landscape and we never get tired of it. 

As we leave our lunch break, we follow the yellow staked path back to the car. It’s 3 pm and time to return to the plains of the Pays de Gex. For most of the descent of the Faucille pass, we have the Mont-Blanc in front of us again. Several cars are parked at the turn of the Pailly to enjoy this breathtaking view. 

As we head home, we say to ourselves, “What an incredible opportunity to live in such a beautiful place”