We’ve been visiting Morzine in the French Alps for years and every time we go we have a fantastic family holiday.
The village, located in the heart of the French Alps just an hour and a half from Geneva, has long been a favourite with families for skiing in the winter but it’s increasingly popular destination during the summer months.
Mountain biking is one of the most popular activities during the summer season but there are so many other things to do as well from paddle boarding on Lac de Montriond and paragliding from the top of Mont Chery to swimming in the 50m outdoor pool in the heart of Morzine and the giant inflatable assault course on water at the Lac des Ecole in Les Gets.
Most recently, we even spotted the women’s Tour de France whizz past.
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The other reason why we love Morzine is because of its genuine connection to nature and local culture.
For many families — especially those with young children growing up in a world shaped by climate change — the environmental impact of travel is becoming a key consideration when deciding where to holiday and this is where Morzine truly shines: the village makes it so easy to have a sustainable family summer holiday in Morzine.
How to have a sustainable summer holiday in Morzine
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AliKats is one company leading the way when it comes to sustainable winter and summer holidays in Morzine.
Founded by husband and wife team Al and Kat Judge in December 2011, AliKats chalets offer a holiday with a difference, providing holidaymakers with luxury chalets that are good for the planet: all of their chalets are powered by renewable energy, they sort and weigh waste from their chalets daily, they grow organic vegetables and fruit that are used in chalet menus, and they combine traditional and Bokassa composting methods in order to compost almost all their food waste.
I have long been impressed by what AliKats has achieved – the company became carbon neutral in 2022 – and recently asked Al for his tips on how to have a sustainable summer adventure.
As well as being the co-founder of AliKats, Al is the president of the local environmental non-profit Montagne Verte. Here, Al shares his insider tips and favourite spots, from picking your own vegetables in the Abbey gardens and visiting a mountain farm to sample fresh cheese, to discovering low-impact activities, remote refuges, and local eateries that champion sustainability.
This guide features things to do, places to eat, sleep and shop to help you get the most out of the resort’s green vibe while contributing to the local economy – and a sustainable future.
Where to Shop in Morzine
Support local producers by shopping at Morzine’s farms, markets, and food shops. You’ll find high-quality ingredients for picnics, meals, or treats — and in many cases, you can meet the makers themselves, take part in tastings, or even see the animals that help create these local delicacies.
Local food and farm experiences
Farmers Market: Morzine’s weekly market is the perfect place to find artisan cheeses; fruit and vegetables; meat, fish and delicious charcuterie—perfect for a picnic lunch!
Wednesdays 8am-12pm, Place de la Poste.
La Ferme de Seraussaix: Ever watched a real life milking session? This family-run farm situated pastures high above Morzine, allows visitors to catch the daily milking session. You can also try and buy delicious, creamy yoghurt and cheese.
Open every day (10 am. to 5:30 pm) with milking cows at 3pm. Reached from Morzine by road or chairlift.
L’Alpage – La Fruitière de Morzine: Sample Morzine’s local cheeses — Reblochon, Tomme, and Abondance — at the village’s traditional dairy, right in the heart of town. Guided tours and tastings run daily from 9:00 to 9:30am, with the shop open from 8:00am to 12:00pm and 3:00pm to 7:30pm
Le Panier Montagnard: Browse local specialities in this delightfull deli in the centre of Morzine.
Chocolaterie Florian Fontaine: Find truly delicious artisan chocolate, made on the premises by Morzine’s renowned chocolatier.
Délices Folie’s Boulangerie Pâtisserie – a bakery serving mouthwatering pastries and sourdough. 16 Route de la Plagne, Morzine.
Les Jardins de l’Abbaye: In a magnificent setting, next door to the Abbaye d’Aulps, pick your own organic vegetables, fruit, flowers and aromatic herbs.
La Ferme du Caly – a fantastic farm shop in Saint Jean D’Aulps, selling it’s own cheeses and yogurts, plus wine, eggs, honey, local beers, jam and charcuterie. Route des Grandes Alpes 870.
Clothing
Montagne Verte’s second-hand shop: Full of pre-loved mountain gear and shoes donated by the local community, this is a great place to replace a lost beanie or grab some rain gear for the kids. Rue du Bourg, Morzine.
Where to eat sustainably in Morzine
In Morzine, using local produce is more than a trend it’s a way of life. Many chefs and café owners work closely with local suppliers, and you’ll find an increasing number of plant-based options alongside regional dishes.
What’s more, Morzine’s BioCyclette, a scheme that whisks bio waste away (by bicycle!) to be methanised and composted, reduces emissions associated with food waste.
Keep your eye out for the hard working cyclist around Morzine and be sure to give him an encouraging thumps up!
Favourite sustainable food spots
Bec Jaune Brewery: Known for its home brewed beers and flavourful menu – think ramen, bao buns, poke bowls and hearty burgers. Even the flour comes from a nearby village in this hands-on, locally minded spot.
Kern (Seytroux): A short drive from Morzine, this zero-waste restaurant serves beautifully crafted dishes designed by the young and ambitious head chef Jean-Philippe Lemaire.
La Grange: Generous salads, a range of meat dishes, vegetarian and gluten free dishes, as well as traditional Savoyard specialities – Raclette, Pierrade (hot stone) and tartiflette – are served in this cosy restaurant with a commitment to quality sourcing.
Satelite: Coffee shop with excellent coffee and delicious breakfast options on Rue du Bourg.
The best family activities in Morzine
Morzine and its surrounding valleys offer a wealth of low-impact outdoor activities that let families and nature lovers connect gently with the alpine environment. It’s also not too hard on your wallet – the Morzine Multi Pass scheme, at just €3 a day, gives unlimited access to the summer ski lifts, swimming pool and lots of other activities.
Tree-top courses
These outdoor activity courses, set high up in the trees, require participants to move through the treetops using rope bridges, ladders, zip lines, nets, and balance beams. The local mindset seems to be: if you can walk, you can climb, so these courses are fun for all ages!
Cascade Adventure, set next to the stunning Nyon Waterfall, offers multiple circuits for all ages, including a mini and fairy course for little ones, plus a thrilling 400m zip line over the falls.
Down in Morzine village, Indiana’Ventures, located by the river near the pool, is ideal for beginners, with three fun courses for adults, kids (4+, over 1.05m), and even toddlers from age 2.
New last summer is Acro’Park in Avoriaz’s Lil’Stash — a shady forest zone filled with slides, treehouses, swings and now a fun-packed obstacle course with bridges, nets, and zip lines.
Rock climbing and via ferrata
Often overlooked, outdoor climbing is a fantastic way to connect with the mountains — and Morzine offers great routes for beginners and intermediates.
Via Ferrata courses (fixed routes of ladders and bridges) make it easy to scale cliff faces without technical rope skills. For breathtaking views, try Rocher de la Chaux in St Jean d’Aulps. First-timers should go with a guide, but experienced climbers can head out anytime, with gear hire available at the local tourist office.
Half day and longer rock climbing sessions are also offered by Morzine’s mountain guides office.
Mountain lakes
From Lake Montriond (Lac de Montriond), a beautiful swimming spot just 10 minutes by bus from Morzine, with options for kayaking and paddleboarding, as well as some lovely lakeside restaurants, to the lively Les Gets swimming lake, with an inflatable WiBit water park — the valley is full of ways to cool off and play.
For a day trip, head to Lake Geneva (Lac Léman), where beaches near Thonon offer swimming and pedalos with a laid-back, seaside feel.
Fantasticable
If adrenaline’s your thing, Fantasticable delivers in spades — a 1,200m zip line that sends you soaring across the valley at superhero speed, high above the mountains from the Chaux-Fleuri chairlift.
Family Hikes
Morzine’s lift-accessed trails make it easy to enjoy the mountains — even for the littlest legs! Plus the panoramic views are stunning – if you’re lucky, you may even spot Mont Blanc on your walk.
The Dranse river loop, is a lovely flat walk through shaded woodland alongside the river, which can also be done on a mountain bike.
To get up high, take the Pléney or Super Morzine gondola for easy ridge-top walks with stunning valley views, and well-marked paths. While they don’t run entirely on renewable power, the Morzine and Avoriaz lifts are increasingly powered by on-site solar and operated with a strong focus on energy efficiency, qualifying the lift operators for the Flocon Vert eco certification.
Find detailed routes and maps for our favourite family hikes in Morzine here.
Where to stay in Morzine
There’s a growing number of eco-conscious places to stay in Morzine, from low-impact chalets to overnight immersive outdoor experiences. Why not mix it up by combining options — for example, a week in a self-catered chalet for ultimate relaxation, followed by a night or two bivouacking or high up in a mountain refuge.
Mountain Refuges: Only reachable on foot, a stay in one of these simple alpine cabins, and catching the morning sunrise over the mountain tops, is an unforgettable experience.
At 1763m in a stunning position above Samoens, Refuge de Bostan is a favourite spot offering warm, comfortable accommodation and hearty food.
Avo Camp: Nestled in the Proclou forest, this bivouac site has large canvas tents for families or groups and offers a back-to-nature camping experience with just the right balance of comfort.
Bivouacking with Hervé le Sobre: A guided overnight hike where you sleep in hammocks under the stars and learn about the surrounding forest and wildlife. We had one of our best family experiences wild camping with Herve in the woods!
Chalet Bizet: One of AliKats’ eco-conscious chalets, Chalet Bizet makes the perfect base camp for a laid-back, yet luxurious summer stay, with an open plan living and dining area, large terrace for barbecues, and great views.
Getting Around Morzine
While Morzine isn’t fully car-free, the resort makes it easy to get around without one.
Its free and reliable summer shuttle buses run from mid-June to September and connects all the major activity hubs — including Lake Montriond, Nyon waterfall, Prodains (for Avoriaz), and Ardent (for the charming – if not slightly smelly – Goat Village and Fantasticable).
Strolling around Morzine is lovely on a summer’s evening.
The village centre is pedestrianised, with restaurant terraces for dining outside and an open square where live bands often play and kids can roam safely.
Kids activities are organised throughout the summer season and, on certain weeks, the square outside the tourist office in the town centre is transformed into kiddie heaven for the Royaume des Marmots with games, arts and crafts activities and inflatables.
How to Get to Morzine
Taking the train is by far the most sustainable way to reach Morzine. In fact, it’s estimated to be 41 times more carbon-efficient than flying. While train travel can seem less economical at first, Morzine is working to change that through its AlpinExpress Pass initiative.
Travellers who arrive by train can receive generous discounts on accommodation, train station transfers, activities and food — meaning you can cut both your carbon emissions and your costs.
It’s also worth knowing that most European train services offer great child fares, with children under 4 travelling free (if they don’t need a seat) and under 12’s receiving around 30% off.
The most common route to Morzine involves the Eurostar to Paris, followed by a TGV (France’s high speed train) to Cluses, Geneva or Thonon-les-Bains, with a local transfer up to resort.
Taking the train is also less stressful with no early check-ins and hanging around the airport, more scenic offering a grasp of the landscape, and often just as quick as flying when you factor in airport time. Kids love the adventure, and your holiday starts the moment you step on board!
