Samoëns village

Samoëns is a pretty French market village, set in the heart of the stunning Giffre Valley. It is a year-round rural hub, which just happens to be situated on the fully linked Grand Massif ski area.  Boasting 265km of piste (click here for the piste map), the Grand Massif ski area has plenty for all abilities and levels. Geneva airport is 1 hour away which couldn't be more handy.

 

The village itself is picture postcard, with quaint shops, boulangeries, and narrow ally-ways, all with the majestic Criou mountain towering above.  There are events put on weekly over the winter and summer seasons - from cheese or wine tasting, to concerts in the square, fireworks at Christmas or the American festival in the summer, it is a busy, happening little place!

 

The market every Wednesday morning is full of local produce as well as hand-crafted items, and is a lovely way to enjoy rural French life, or stock up for lunch from the many cheese and bread stalls.

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Within a 10 minute car journey or cycle ride away, is the stunning Sixt-Passy Parc Naturelle - a nature reserve with access to the many mountain refuges as well as countless hiking routes. Samoëns is also on the GR5 hiking route, which goes all the way from the North Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, crossing 5 countries and 2,600km of marked foot paths!

 

We also have the formidable 'Col de Joux Plane' cycle route, which snakes over 11km of hairpin bends and climb before reaching the top of the col, before you cycle down the other side into Morzine. This route has been used numerous times in the Tour de France, the last time in 2016, and it is ever popular with cyclists who travel here for the challenge, as well as many of the other nearby alpine cycle routes.