Samoëns Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Photo by Victoire Ferrari
Photo "Samoëns" by marsupilami51 (CC BY) / Cropped from original
Photo "Samoëns" by marsupilami51 (CC BY) / Cropped from original
Photo "Samoëns" by Davidsehn (CC BY) / Cropped from original
Photo "Samoëns" by marsupilami51 (CC BY) / Cropped from original

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 Base de Loisir des Lacs Aux Dames.

Vercland
Résidence Club MMV Samoens
Résidence Club MMV Samoens
4 out of 5
466 Rte des Drugeres, Samoëns, Haute-Savoie
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Samoëns. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a steam room and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Flaine Ski Resort and Les Gets Ski Resort are ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (16 reviews)
Great ski apartment in Samoens
"Perfect location for access to the GME, great skiing and comfortable accommodation."

Reviewed on 23 Mar 2025

Résidence Club MMV Samoens
Neige et Roc, The Originals Relais
Neige et Roc, The Originals Relais
4 out of 5
255 route de Taninges, Samoëns
The price is £151 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£151
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Samoëns. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Les Gets Ski Resort and Flaine Ski Resort are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (95 reviews)
"Excellent food in the restaurant."

Reviewed on 22 Mar 2025

Neige et Roc, The Originals Relais
La Boule de Neige
La Boule de Neige
2 out of 5
220 chemin des Bollus Vercland, Samoëns, Haute-savoie
Stay at this ski hotel in Samoëns. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Flaine Ski Resort and Les Gets Ski Resort are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (38 reviews)
La Boule de Neige
"La Boule de Neige is a friendly and welcoming 2 star hotel located just a few metres from the fantastic new gondola in Vercland. The hotel provided everything that we needed for our short skiing trip - free on-site parking, a ski room, comfortable beds, hearty breakfast. All this just a short walk ..."

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2023

La Boule de Neige
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
Stay at this 3-star residence in Samoëns. Enjoy a sauna, Wi-Fi (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Flaine Ski Resort and Les Gets Ski Resort ...
7.6/10 Good! (68 reviews)
"This property is in a location that has ski bus nearby so it is convenient. I don't know if everyone else realizes that the guest needs to clean up the place themselves and get it ready for the next guest. Thought there would be a final clean by the cleaning lady but clearly not. or you can pay for ..."

Reviewed on 19 Feb 2025

Résidence Lagrange Vacances Les Fermes de Samoëns
 Homely ground floor 2 bedroom apartment with stunning views
Homely ground floor 2 bedroom apartment with stunning views
Samoëns, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Stay at this family-friendly apartment in Samoëns. Enjoy a sauna, laundry facilities and a pool table. Popular attractions Flaine Ski Resort and Les Gets Ski ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (68 reviews)
Cozy apartment
"Had a great week in this well equipped apartment. Plenty of storage space with everything we could possibly need. Situated in a lovely scenic area, just a few minutes walk into Samoens"

Reviewed on 30 Mar 2025

Homely ground floor 2 bedroom apartment with stunning views
Chalet Apartment With Stunning Views
Chalet Apartment With Stunning Views
Samoens, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes
Stay at this apartment in Samoëns. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and tennis courts. Popular attractions Les Gets Ski Resort and Flaine Ski Resort are ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (31 reviews)
Lovely apartment in a great location
"We stayed for a weeks skiing and the apartment is in a great central location, just a short walk to the town center and then another 15mins to the gondala. 2 supermarkets in the town and Carrefour just a short drive away. The apartment is much bigger than advertised with lots of space and well equipped ..."

Reviewed on 25 Feb 2025

Chalet Apartment With Stunning Views
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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Samoëns

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
10
5 - Excellent 71%
4 - Good
2
4 - Good 14%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 14%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great ski area and not overcrowded.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

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

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

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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