Samoëns Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Photo by Victoire Ferrari
While the village of Samoëns is particularly well known for its ski resort, it is also home to some exceptional heritage, offering a break combining sport and culture.

Samoëns is a commune situated in the south of the department of Haute-Savoie, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, close to the French-Swiss border. This land of stonecutters is a village resort par excellence, with its high-altitude ski area and a picturesque village in the Giffre Valley.

The ski resort of Samoëns boasts an exceptional view in the heart of the French Alps. It is part of the Grand Massif ski area, and is connected to four other resorts: Sixt Fer à Cheval, Flaine, Les Carroz and Morillon. From the village, you can get there in just eight minutes via the Grand Massif Express lift, and explore the 165 miles of slopes, which offer skiing for beginners and seasoned skiers alike.

Don't miss out on the other surprises Samoëns has in store, which you'll discover as you walk around the village. You can admire exceptional architecture, including in the église Notre-Dame de l'Assomption, where the chapels and oratories bear witness to the religious devotion of the village's ancestors, as well as the fountains and chalets from the 1950s and 60s.

A 3.5-hectare botanic garden contains some 4,500 species of mountain plants from five continents. A leisure centre has been built around the village's two lakes, which offer a wide range of activities (tennis, football, adventure park, paragliding, etc.) to entertain kids and grown-ups alike. The famous Gouffre Jean-Bernard cave is also perfect for potholing.

Samoëns is easy to get to by motorway from Geneva or Chamonix. You can also take the train to Cluses station, which is just over 12 miles away, and then reach the village by taxi or coach. In winter, there is also a shuttle service to Geneva airport.

An exhilarating break awaits you!

Where to stay in Samoëns

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Vercland

Though Vercland may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Samoens Ski Resort and Grand Massif Express Gondola.

Vercland
Hôtel Le Gai Soleil
Hôtel Le Gai Soleil
3 out of 5
26 rte de Taninges, Samoëns
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa.
9/10 Wonderful! (51 reviews)
"Very nice hotel with great rooms."

Reviewed on 17 Feb 2024

Hôtel Le Gai Soleil
Résidence Club MMV Samoens
Résidence Club MMV Samoens
466 Rte des Drugeres, Samoëns, Haute-Savoie
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a steam room and parking (surcharge).
9/10 Wonderful! (11 reviews)
Very good value for money for families
"Very family friendly. Need to improve the instructions of getting there by public transport. All in all a very well situated place, clean and a fully equipped kitchen. Nice pool and saunas, could warm up the pool water… Soaps and shampoo - its a shame that they are not included. Recommended for a ..."

Reviewed on 3 Apr 2024

Résidence Club MMV Samoens
Hôtel Alexane
Hôtel Alexane
4 out of 5
La cour route du Giffre, Samoëns, Haute-Savoie
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (83 reviews)
"Hotel manager absolutely superb, went above and beyond when we had to arrange something urgently."

Reviewed on 19 Jan 2024

Hôtel Alexane
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Résidence Lagrange Vacances Les Fermes de Samoëns
Résidence Lagrange Vacances Les Fermes de Samoëns
3 out of 5
347 chemin de Sur la Ville, Lieu-dit Les Beules, Samoëns, Haute-Savoie
Enjoy a sauna, Wi-Fi (surcharge) and parking (surcharge).
7.6/10 Good! (62 reviews)
Good accommodation for those on a budget
"Good accommodation for the price. Apartment needs redecorating but was clean and warm. Great location with good facilities for families. Pool is good but be warned it is cold. Sauna and steam room lovely."

Reviewed on 30 Mar 2024

Résidence Lagrange Vacances Les Fermes de Samoëns
Résidence Alexane
Résidence Alexane
5 out of 5
Avenue des Loisirs, Samoëns, Haute-Savoie
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a fitness centre.
9.8/10 Exceptional! (33 reviews)
"Having stayed twice here we love this hotel for location and facilities Perfect for families and groups of friends we have stayed in a duplex apartment and a 2 bed apartment both were great Great hotel"

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2023

Résidence Alexane
CGH Résidences & Spas La Reine des Prés
CGH Résidences & Spas La Reine des Prés
4 out of 5
132 route du Grand Massif, Samoëns, Haute-Savoie
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and a fitness centre.
8.6/10 Excellent! (48 reviews)
Samoëns FEB 2023
"Nice place, great location for grand massif ski lift and only short 5 min walk into town. Pool and SPA facilities were great after long day on the slopes. Room of decent standard although heating is controlled by reception, ours kept going off and because reception is part time couldn’t always contact ..."

Reviewed on 26 Feb 2023

CGH Résidences & Spas La Reine des Prés
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Things to do

Reviews of Samoëns

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
10
" "5 - Excellent 71.42857142857143%
4 - Good
2
" "4 - Good 14.285714285714286%
3 - Okay
2
" "3 - Okay 14.285714285714286%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
1 Apr 2019

Great ski area and not overcrowded.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
8 Mar 2019

Interesting market and shops with plenty of accommodation, restaurants and bars.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
24 Feb 2019

A lovely town. Beautiful in winter, and obviously lovely in summer too. Make sure to visit La Cirque du Fer a Cheval. But much too busy in February half term.

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