Le Revard: a Family Ski Holiday in the French Alps

Although we may already be longing for spring, it is finally snowing in Belgium. Ski dreams dance again in my head...not necessarily the sport but rather the ski holiday or sports d'hiver. Although I am more inclined to snowshoeing, my husband and daughters are the ski fanatics. A couple months after my youngest daughter turned three, she was already descending an Alpine slope, closer really to the classic “bunny hill” grade...but still!

At least once a year, we head to Savoie and stay in the small village of Méry located between Chambery and Aix-les-Bains, France. Just a half-hour drive up the mountain behind us, we arrive at a very family-friendly resort called Le Revard. Although this resort provides anything you may need for a relaxed, fun-filled holiday, close by are also La Clusaz and La Feclaz ski stations.

If you or your little ones are new to skiing or need a refresher course, private and group lessons are taught by the Ecole de Ski Française. At the end of the week, skiers take a skill test to earn their next star to advance levels. The smallest of skiers begin by earning their piou piou, ourson and flocon pins. Conveniently, skiers have all the material ready to rent at the shop overlooking the beginner hill. If you've forgotten your hat, you can buy that too. The people in the shop are incredibly friendly and often have a piece of candy for the children, whom they get to know throughout the week (or years).

Within snowy steps of each other, a hill specifically for sledging, paths for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country ski circuits abound. What's more, which I absolutely want to try next time, is dog-sledding! As I was trekking in my snowshoes last December, I heard a pack of dogs coming up and around the path in front of me, I quickly (as quickly as one can in snowshoes) steered myself behind a tree. Much relief came when the dogs ran past with no concern for me at all. In fact, a group of about five people and their dog teams were following a guide. I chatted with one woman, as the man in front had trouble getting his dogs going, who said it was actually quite easy and fun. Dogs sledding is yet another way to breath in the magnificent white scenery.

Travelers can find the dogs at the chalet just before turning towards the parking lot of Le Revard, on your left. For specific information, consult the station's tourism office. Once parked, one only has to turn around 360º to situate the first aid station, tourism office, shops, cafés and restaurants... and on a clear day, Le Mont Blanc! For an even more panoramic view, turn right out of the lot and continue to the terrase of Les 4 Vallées. On a sunny winter day, tourists and locals marvel for the first or even the énième time at the vast beauty this regions offers.

Lodging at any one of the possibilities at Le Revard will be comfortable and convenient. One advantage of staying closer to town is, well, you're closer to town. Both Chambery and Aix-les-Bains offer a variety of cultural outings, shopping and star-worthy restaurants. As for Aix-les-Bains being Aix-les-Bains, it is the place to pamper any body or soul after days of cold, winter sports..or as the destination itself. At the thermes, book a treatment or simply spend the day between the pools (in and outdoor), hammam, sauna, exercise room, café, or just lounging with a good read.

Between the various winter sports, leisure activities and dining possibilities, a winter holiday in Savoie has never disappointed us. As a family, we have a great time all together in the snow...and it doesn't hurt mummy (or daddy!) to recharge at the spa before another rentrée.

Market days in Wavre

Brussels boasts several neighborhood markets which are quite noteworthy. However, venturing out of the city, or not wanting to fight traffic on the way in, can lead to an enjoyable morning of shopping.

While the capital of Wallonia, Wavre is a well-located town right off the 411 (exit 6), about 20 minutes from Brussels. The city center offers an abundance of shops, cafés and restaurants to suit any budget, from standard stores like Etam to high-end boutiques such as Max Mara.

Apparently, rubbing his behind brings good luck.

Market days are Wednesdays and Saturdays. Wednesdays bring the most market vendors and the most people. Shoppers find a variety of items for the home, apparel and good, fresh produce alongside top-notch butchers and a fishmonger. Even when noon comes and the vendors start to pack up their awnings, many high-quality butcheries, bakeries, cheese shops, and chocolate shops call Wavre home.

Saturday's market takes up less streets but includes a solid supply of florists, bakers and cheese-makers. I highly suggest, for entertainment sake at least, to visit the fishmonger at Wauter & Fils on Saturday. His lively personality, stories and jokes pull customers (his favorite audience) from all corners of the streets. His incredibly fresh fish and seafood guarantees a faithful clientele. You can find Wauter & Fils on Place de l'Eglise, and also on Wednesdays but without monsieur and his comedy.

Right in front of the church is now my favorite baker, Laurent Dumont. With a delicious selection of breads (the Maya being my standard), he also sells tasty and beautiful quiche, tarts and pastries. His baquettes are the closest to French baquettes I have yet to find in Belgium.

For fresh, organic produce I go to La Ferme de l'Hoste, found on Rue du Commerce just off of the Place de l'Eglise. The friendly service matches the bright and colorful produce on offer, including fresh eggs. If you're lucky, you'll be offered a bunch of mint for your patronage.

During the month of December, St. Nicolas and Père Fouetta ride their train through the town streets on Saturdays picking up passengers at la Commune and passing out candy to children.

La Commune de Wavre

All year round, Wavre offers special activities which include a Halloween party, a visit through the “village” of St. Nicolas, as well as Carnaval and Easter celebrations. Periodically, visitors may even find that Place Bosche has turned into a fairground of rides and cotton candy.

Place Flagey, a Brussels square with a little taste of the Big Apple

If I could take my favorite New York City café and place it in Brussels, it would be at Place Flagey. If I could take my favorite New York City neighborhood and bring it closer, I would plunk it down on Place Flagey. If I could place my favorite indie cinema from NY near by, I'd set it up on Place Flagey.

When I can't be in New York City, I go to Place Flagey.

This rather intimate square in Ixelles, not too deep into the city, encompasses all the “little things” I miss about NYC. When I want to reminisce about walking in Central Park, I take a stroll around the Ixelles ponds. When I yearn for unique theater, music, or programs for the children, I visit Flagey , an art deco mecca of entertainment for the whole family. When I want the convenience of neighborhood commerce, I find small eateries, a bike shop, a book store, and an outdoor market.

For a dose of energy from an ecclectic mix of people, a light meal, a hot coffee drink, or a fresh mint tea, I push through the door of Belga Café – or simply sit on its terrace. With free wi-fi access, Belga Café is the perfect “hang out” for professionals, students and an artsy/literary crowd. The eatery also features live music. What better way to remember jazzy weekends in the Big Apple? For other dining experiences, plenty of restaurants sprawl into the side streets.

People revere NYC neighborhoods because of their energy, hustle and bustle. Place Flagey offers energy without over excitement and enough people without a crowd.

For a weekend brunch, a relaxing walk or unique entertaining, Place Flagey is a small square in Brussels that guarantees a perfect day (or night) out.

Playing in the Cabanes at Seneffe Castle

If you have ever walked into your child's bedroom to find sheets sprawled from the dresser, then tucked under the mattress over to the arm chair and tied unconvincingly to the window handle, keep reading. If you have ever walked into your living room and found blankets thrown over the dining table and clothes-pinned to its matching chairs, keep reading. Finally, if you have ever walked into your garden only to find plastic bags hanging from tree limbs and little heads peaking out to say, “Look at our tent!”, I have got the perfect outing for you.

Until November 2011, the Château de Seneffe is host to a magical exhibition that will please the child in, and with, us all. In French, cabane refers to any sort of little house whether up in a tree or down on the ground and usually the home-made variety using sticks, planks of wood, fabrics, etc. Just as any child, and any helpful adult, feels proud of her creation, the artists who have participated in “Cabanes” have produced real chefs-d'oeuvre. The concept behind each cabane may seem more sophisticated than child's play. But, one necessary aspect is irrevocably the same as what motivates any child to dig through the linen closet or through the garage... imagination.

This outdoor exhibition is entirely free – good news when thinking of how to entertain the little ones on the weekends. Upon entering the front gates into La Cour d'Honneur, Frederic Geurts demands attention with his metallic sphere cabane. Upon seeing this almost weightless construction, my six year-old Belgian surrealist immediately remarked, “Ça, c'est pas une cabane!” Imagination is the word of the day. There is no harm in reminding children, nor adults, that everyone can perceive differently what we all may be looking at. Immediately to the left of the gates is La Chapelle showcasing, in video, each cabane. This overview prefaces the very unique houses the visitor will be experiencing.

Guests to Seneffe can roam freely throughout the grounds. I recommend, however, stepping into the castle to pick up a brochure detailing the where and what of each exhibit. Since the drive from Brussels to Seneffe can take a good 45 minutes, this is also an ideal time to stop into the restrooms (to the right and down the stairs).

Stepping out of the entrance, my daughter and I turned left and proceeded to the Jardin des Trois Terrasses. Pierre Courtois works with cubical red designs to produce four cabanes. One sits like a tall rectangle framed by walls of greenery. The second one lacks walls but limits are marked by four red poles. The third one is the highest. This red cube literally hangs above the visitor. The final cabane resembles most what someone might find in their own garden made from mosquito netting. These four creations are a perfect introduction to the variety of forms a cabane can take and will take throughout the exhibition.

From the Jardin des Trois, we headed behind the shrubs and past Le Théâtre. Near the stream and its bridge, we were both eager to run into a cabane by Dimitri Vanggrunderbeek. His three red, green and yellow cubes tempted us all too strongly to peek our heads through their square windows.

We continued up the path to a rather American country scene – a saloon. Jason Van Der Woude creates a cabin one could find in any western movie. We walked around and glanced inside to find boots lined up as straight as the glasses on the bar. So real was the scene, I expected the upright piano to start playing itself.

Towards the Grand Bassin, my daughter and I arrived with a beautiful view of the château. She ran ahead as soon as the next cabin was in sight. Van Der Woude now contrasts the dark, closed in wood beams with an open, glass structure. On this particularly sunny day, the shadows shown as much a part of the cabane as its recycled beams.

Immediately following, Loreta Visic's cabane reminded me of all the washing waiting for me at home. She has created a house with very imaginative, and yet very appropriate, walls. Shirts, skirts, pants, underwear - wardrobes of colors, textures and styles - hang straight until the wind blows. “Look, I have the same stockings!” My daughter exclaimed. I could only imagine what she was conjuring up for her next cabane.

The rest of the promenade lead us back around to the castle. We walked into large boxes and admired towering spheres. While strolling through the grounds, more than just our voices rang in between the trees. Speakers, cleverly disguised as hanging flower pots, play recordings from works by Casanova and Madame de Sévigné. Once at the Orangerie, we took advantage of the cafe to have a refreshment and talk about our favorite exhibits.

If, during your visit, the weather is not as sunny and warm as we had it, the castle is definitely worth a visit. For more information, visit the website of the Domaine du Château de Seneffe at www.chateaudeseneffe.be. There is a variety of exhibitions and entertainment to enjoy.