Surrounded by 7 mountains, the village of Samoëns is particularly loved by the visitors for its authentic charm.
Samoëns is located between 700 and 2,500 metres of altitude, at the heart of the Haut-Giffre Valley, in the north-east part of Haute Savoie, halfway between Chamonix and Geneva, at the foot of the Criou mountain and just a stone’s throw away from the glacial Cirque du Fer à Cheval cirque, the very last limestone section of the Alps until we reach the Aiguilles Rouges granite rocks. The mountainous landscapes here are particularly relaxing. Today, it has become an all-year-round destination and it is part of the Grand Massif ski area. Samoëns has all the facilities and amenities that holidaymakers expect to find, as well as having preserved its traditional architecture and cultural heritage. The village-resort offers a wide range of activities on land, water or in the air, all in an absolutely superb setting.
In the historical centre of the village, the former indoor market and the Gros Tilleul (ancient lime tree) bear witness to an ancient past. Not too far away, the Jaÿsinia Alpine Botanical Garden is an invitation to relax and unwind while exploring a natural treasure right at the heart of the village. Through the leaves of the trees we can catch a glimpse of “Notre Dame de l’Assomption”, the church of Samoëns which is the architectural proof of the fantastic expertise of the village’s renowned stonemasons.
Colette Gerome and Violaine Simon Savoie Mont Blanc Heritage Guides
Samoëns in the Giffre Valley, Haute-Savoie, and the septimontains (the inhabitants of Samoëns)
The Allamands village
Where did the Bézières (wooden canals used to transport water) go? The use of water
The Jaÿsinia Alpine Botanical Garden
The Stonemasons. A tour of the cemetery
Samoëns in winter
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Samoëns village centre ![]()
The old lime tree in the village square
