Samoëns

Travel 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 Grand Massif Express Gondola.

Vercland
MGM Hôtels & Résidences – Hôtel Les Suites d’Alexane
MGM Hôtels & Résidences – Hôtel Les Suites d’Alexane
4 out of 5
La cour route du Giffre, Samoëns, Haute-Savoie
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Samoëns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Flaine Ski Resort and Les Gets Ski Resort ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (113 reviews)
"Amazing place, please don’t go as we want availability to come back again lots lol!"

Reviewed on 22 Mar,2025

MGM Hôtels & Résidences – Hôtel Les Suites d’Alexane
Neige et Roc, The Originals Relais
Neige et Roc, The Originals Relais
4 out of 5
255 route de Taninges, Samoëns
The price is S$405 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
S$405
includes taxes & fees
29 Mar - 30 Mar
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Samoëns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Avoriaz Ski Resort and Les Gets Ski Resort ...
9/10 Wonderful! (94 reviews)
"Excellent food in the restaurant."

Reviewed on 22 Mar,2025

Neige et Roc, The Originals Relais
Hôtel Le Gai Soleil
Hôtel Le Gai Soleil
3 out of 5
26 rte de Taninges, Samoëns
The price is S$300 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
S$300
includes taxes & fees
29 Mar - 30 Mar
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Samoëns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Avoriaz Ski Resort and Les Gets Ski Resort ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (64 reviews)
Perfect break
"Fantastic hotel. Great location and lovely staff. Will definitely be back"

Reviewed on 18 Mar,2025

Hôtel Le Gai Soleil
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, WiFi (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Flaine Ski Resort and Les Gets Ski Resort ...
7.6/10 Good! (68 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 La Cour
Résidence La Cour
3 out of 5
385 Chemin de la Cour, Samoëns
Stay at this 3-star ski residence in Samoëns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Flaine Ski Resort and Les Gets Ski Resort ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (10 reviews)
Highly recommended, great service & location
"Even better than advertised. Great location - walking distance to the ski lift and the center of town. Excellent service, including the ability to buy lift passes at the inn rather than stand in line at the lifts. Very comfortable efficiency room with a deck looking at the mountains. Nice spa facility. ..."

Reviewed on 3 Jan,2024

Résidence La Cour
MGM Hôtels & Résidences – Résidence Alexane
MGM Hôtels & Résidences – Résidence Alexane
5 out of 5
Avenue des Loisirs, Samoëns, Haute-Savoie
Stay at this 5-star luxury residence in Samoëns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Flaine Ski Resort and Les Gets Ski ...
10/10 Exceptional! (43 reviews)
"Great quality environment with helpful and friendly staff."

Reviewed on 30 Dec,2024

MGM Hôtels & Résidences – Résidence 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.

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.