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Samoëns, located in the Haute-Savoie region of the French Alps, is just a one-hour drive from Geneva. It is an accessible yet unspoiled, authentic and pretty mountain village set in the heart of the Giffre Valley, offering panoramic views of the Mont Blanc range. Samoëns carries the designation of a “ville fleurie” distinguishing it as one of the most beautiful towns in France and was recently awarded the prestigious accolade of the most beautiful village in Haute Savoie.
Voted ‘Best Small Resort’ in Europe by Hardy’s Skiing & Snowboarding Guide 2009, Samoëns forms part of the Grand Massif, which with 265km of piste is the fourth largest ski region in France.
With abundant snowfall and a long ski season, there is much to challenge the experienced skier as well as excellent provision for the novice and for children. Our luxury properties are well placed for easy access to the ski lifts, with Chalet ALLURE and Apartment ACCORD being just 200 metres from the 10-person gondola in the hamlet of Vercland. Chalet APASSION is located equidistant between the ski lifts of Vercland and Samoëns, but with our complimentary in-resort shuttle service it is less than a two minute ride to either. Click here to understand where are properties are in relation to the village of Samoëns and the local ski lifts.
The summer months offer easy access to over 900km of hiking routes, favourite stretches of the Tour de France, mountain biking and numerous other adrenaline filled activities, including white water rafting, via ferrata and paragliding (parapenting) plus more leisurely pursuits such as golf, fishing or pony trekking.
The French Alps are becoming an increasingly popular summer holiday destination and with the main lifts open all summer, the APASSION properties are perfectly positioned to enable you to take advantage of all that a summer break in the Alps can offer.
Being only 60km from Geneva, Samoëns is perfect for a long weekend, short stay or long break.
Samoëns’ central location also means that once you’ve discovered the delights of the village and the Giffre Valley, there are a number of highlights to visit within an hour of the chalet. Aside from the cosmopolitan city of Geneva, choose from the historic town of Annecy, the natural beauty of Evian les Bains or the glamour of Chamonix.
Slightly further afield you have the opportunity to discover the wilderness of the Vanoise National Park or the culture and excitement on offer at the Montreux Riviera.
For further information on Samoëns, visit the Samoëns Tourist Information website.
Samoëns is part of the Grand Massif, one of the world’s biggest ski areas. With the five connected alpine resorts of Flaine, Morillon, Samoëns, Sixt Fer-a-Cheval and Les Carroz, this is the fourth biggest ski area in France. The region rises to 2500 metres with 265km of piste served by 62 lifts. There are ski runs to challenge all ability levels with 23 green, 60 blue, 47 red and 12 black runs.
For those seeking an added adrenaline rush, then why not try out one of the great snowboarding parks in the area or get competitive with a run down the boarder-cross track.
If you like to get off the piste, the Grand Massif ski domain provides plenty of opportunity to test your skills. To get the best of the ‘back country’ experience, we recommend taking a guide from one of the local ski schools in Samoëns.
If your preference is Ski de Fond (Cross Country Skiing), or you would like to give it a go during your stay, then Samoëns offers 46kms of cross country skiing tracks in the valley with a further 30km to be discovered at altitude.
The resort also caters for snowshoe trekking, fat-biking and has an ice-skating rink located right in the centre of the village.
Samoëns is as popular for its summers as its winters with a host of activities to keep visitors entertained.
With the summer season options ranging from hiking and mountain biking, to road cycling to white water rafting, potholing and paragliding, there really is something for everyone.
If all that sounds far too energetic, why not just take in the stunning views of the Giffre Valley whilst sitting back and relaxing on a balcony with a glass of wine and a good book.
A selection of reviews of the beautiful resort of Samoëns – the perfect destination in the French alps for a winter or summer vacation.
Off-piste thrills in the best French ski resort you’ve never heard of – The Telegraph – 2nd December 2016
Thrilling backcountry and fast on-piste turns are just some of the treats in store on a short break to the traditional Savoyard resort of Samoëns in France, says Kieran Lee
Wandering round the medieval centre on my way to a suitable watering hole, I’m struck by the beauty and rustic feel of the place. The mountains around Samoëns are rich in limestone and the village was once renowned for its highly skilled stonemasons – much of their stunning craftsmanship is still visible in the architecture.
An imposing church, which dates from the 13th century, dominates the skyline, and the picturesque market square is home to the towering Gros Tilleul (large lime tree), planted in 1483 and a famous local landmark. There’s even a botanical garden, constructed in 1906, showcasing more than 8,000 plants from around the world.
Samoëns is a far cry from many of France’s more modern, functional purpose-built resorts.
From The Telegraph December 2016 – click here for the full article.
The ski resorts that provide something for everyone – all year round – The Telegraph – February 2012
No longer locked solely into a single winter season, an increasing number of traditional Alpine resorts are being transformed into multi-season hives of sporting and lifestyle family activity.
The Grand Massif, one of the largest ski areas in the French Alps, has some of the region’s most scenic and traditional low altitude villages. Located an hour or less by road from Geneva Airport are two year-round working villages, Samoëns and Le Carroz d’Arâches.
These destinations boast childcare facilities, children’s ski schools and lots of beginner and intermediate slopes, in addition to 265km of serious ski runs on the doorstep that reach altitudes of 2,500 metres. Seasonal activities range from hot air ballooning, white water rafting, golf and paragliding through to racket walking, dog sledding, heliskiing and snow-kiting.
Ski France: Is Samoëns the country’s best resort? – The Telegraph – March 2011
Clare Mann searched in vain for the perfect ski destination – and then she found the French ski resort of Samoëns.
Samoëns is a breath of fresh mountain air. The French proudly describe it as one of their monuments historiques, that just happens to be attached to a great ski area. An hour by car from Geneva, this ancient village, famed for its stonemasons, is part of the Grand Massif ski domain and is connected to high-altitude, snowsure Flaine. Consisting of five resorts – Flaine, Samoëns, Morillon, Sixt and Les Carroz. The Grand Massif offers 265km of piste; 80 per cent of the slopes are north facing, so hold the snow well, and the majority of the clientele are French.
The centre of Samoëns is traffic free, and has a beautiful square dominated by a magnificent lime tree. The main street is a delight, full of gourmet shops offering mountain ham, local cheese and mouth-watering pâtisserie. Every Wednesday there is a wonderful market selling local produce. There is also a handful of gorgeous Savoyard interior designer shops offering Alpine bric-a-brac: old skis, retro skiing photographs, antler lamps, “polar bear” skin rugs, and pretty china decorated with hearts. It’s enough to make you want to buy a chalet on the spot.
Is this the prettiest resort in the Alps? – The Times – 16th Oct 2010
Samoëns is a medieval delight and a joy from top to bottom, says Felix Milns
It is a medieval village with a classical square. An historical monument and a place where ancient stone masons used to perfect their art. Samoëns would be one of the most beautiful villages in any light; being a ski resort makes it doubly so. And it is not just any ski resort. It is part of the Grand Massif, with 265 km of piste the fifth largest ski area in France.
The region is better known to the British for purpose-built Flaine, although Samoëns is a far more appealing base. It is something of an undiscovered freeride paradise – and the resort now wants to push itself as something more than a pretty place.
Located in Haute-Savoie in the French Alps, Samoëns is less than one hour from Geneva making it ideal for long and short breaks alike. For those wishing to drive from the UK it is about eight hours by road from Calais with all but the last 20km on motorway. For those choosing to travel by train, Samoëns is 20km from the train station in Cluses, which is linked to the rest of France by the TGV. Taxis are readily available for the short journey between Cluses and the APASSION properties.
The closest airport, at just 60km (1 hour) away, is Geneva that is serviced by a number of airlines including Air France, British Airways, Easyjet, KLM and SwissAir. The main alternative airports serving the region are Chambrey (125km / 1.5 hours) and Lyon (200km / 2.5 hours).
We are happy to coordinate airport transfers on your behalf. We work with a number of locally based providers who offer a range of transfer options to suit all budgets.
Samoëns is about 880km (8 hours) from Calais but, with only the last 20km of the trip being off the motorway, it is a straight forward journey for those preferring to self-drive from the UK. We’ll send you detailed directions as part of the guest pre-arrival process.
For guests arriving into Geneva there are a couple of options of how to reach Samoëns, again we’re happy to provide detailed driving directions as part of the guest pre-arrival process.
77 Chemin du Battieu
74340 Samoëns
France
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