Samoëns isn't just the "most beautiful village in Haute Savoie," it's also a dynamic and welcoming ski resort. The old covered market and the Gros Tilleul (Big Lime Tree) are among the witnesses to a history that dates back almost a thousand years. Samoëns, "the seven mountains" in reference to the seven mountains that surround the village, is rich in local history and the economic center of the Giffre Valley. If you're looking for things to see or do in Samoëns, here are our top 10 must-do activities.
Written by Anto
03 May 2025
read in 1 min
Summary
Top 10 things to do in Samoëns
1 - 265 km of sliding
In the heart of the Alps, Samoëns offers the opportunity to enjoy the Grand Massif ski area with the resorts of Flaine, Les Carroz, Morillon and Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval. For beginners or experienced skiers, it is a true paradise. 265 km of slopes await you, whatever your level. Samoëns also has 16 "Fun Zones" such as the "Cascades Expérience" with 14 km of descent in the heart of nature, the "Flaine Urban'Z" with numerous modules and jumps, the "Boardercross" of Les Carroz with nine turns for a descent of more than a minute or the "Forêt mystérieuse de ZiZiPanPan" and its five walls (made of foam), not to mention the toboggan areas for a different way of sliding.
2 - Snowshoe walks
To explore the many marked trails in Samoëns, Morillon, the Col de Joux Plane, or the Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval in Sixt, put on your snowshoes. A guide will help you discover many hidden treasures. You can also plan a night out before enjoying a fondue in a yurt.
Discover the wide open spaces of Samoëns and its surroundings, as a couple or in a group, in a fun or sporty way, alone or with a guide, to cross magnificent landscapes.
3 - Go climbing the ice waterfalls
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced climber, ice climbing is an experience to discover thanks to our passionate guides. In winter, the waterfalls become a playground where you have to save your energy, plan ahead, and have fun. Equipped with crampons, ice axes, and a bit of courage, follow the guide as they climb the ice falls. It's an accessible activity similar to winter mountaineering and provides unforgettable sensations.
Prices:
- half day from 215 euros
- day: 365 euros
4 - Another way to glide with the electric Fat Bike or the E-Fat Scoot
Follow your guide's footsteps through the snow on your electric Fat Bike, a mountain bike with extra-wide tires. The ride along the Giffre River or on the Bostan will offer you a unique experience. The 1,100-meter climb of the Bostan is made easier thanks to your Fat Bike's electric motor, and the descent to the village will give you your adrenaline rush.
Discover a new kind of gliding experience with the E-Fat Scoot, an all-terrain electric scooter for supervised themed and unusual rides. Different options are available for discovery, from a tour of the laces to gourmet rides, etc.
Prices:
- From 14 years old depending on the route chosen
- From 39 euros.
5 - The Frozen River, an incredible adventure
The Frozen River offers a thrilling all-day activity along the Giffre River. It all begins with off-piste skiing in Samoëns 1600, heading towards Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval in the powder snow of the Grand Massif.
For the return trip, you'll swap your skis for a wetsuit, helmet, and life jacket and board a raft, canoe, or hydrospeed boat. You'll hurtle down the Giffre River, enjoying a different kind of experience.
Price:
- From 55 euros per person
6 - Try biathlon
Discover this sport that combines cross-country skiing and shooting. Using a laser rifle, you'll attempt to clear all the targets, whether lying down or standing up. Follow in the footsteps of the French champions as you discover this discipline that combines effort and precision.
In private lessons of at least two hours and from 10 years old, this activity is accessible to all.
Price:
- from 135 euros
7 - Visit the Jaÿsinia botanical garden
Created in 1906 by Marie Louise Cognac Jaÿ, this garden, classified as a remarkable garden of France with 2,400 varieties of mountain plants from five continents, is a haven of peace. Marie Louis Cognacq Jaÿ, born in Samoëns, made her fortune in Paris with her husband, creating La Samaritaine. She never forgot her native village and purchased the land on which she kept goats to build this magnificent garden.
The garden is connected to the National Museum of Natural History and is listed among the remarkable parks of France. It also houses the ruins of Montanier Castle, destroyed in 1476.
8 - Discover the village by horse-drawn carriage or Septitrain
Samoëns is the only French ski resort classified as a "Land of Art and History" by the Historic Monuments. Dominated by the Criou River, the medieval village is superb. A trail allows you to wander through the village and discover the sculptures of the Frahans (the stonemasons). Stoneworking is a true tradition in Samoëns. Every two years in summer, a stone symposium is held to showcase local stone. Stonemasons sculpt on a given theme for several days, expanding the village's magnificent collection.
On foot or by horse-drawn carriage, you cannot miss the Gros Tilleul, planted in 1438 in the center of the village, of which it has become the emblem.
Climb aboard a horse-drawn carriage to discover the village with various guided tours.
Prices:
- Adults: 10 euros
- Children: 5 euros
9 - The discovery circuit of the nine chapels
Tour the town's nine chapels and explore five centuries of history. Onion-domed bell towers, such as the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, stand out along the way. You'll discover Alpine history and exceptional craftsmanship.
Most of the chapels were built in the 17th century. Some were built on the initiative of private individuals, such as the Allamands Chapel, built between 1829 and 1834 by the inhabitants of the hamlet.
10 - Admire a sunset at La Bourgeoise
La Bourgeoise is a spot that offers a unique view of Mont Blanc. You can reach La Bourgeoise on snowshoes to reach the Joux Plane pass.
At the summit, at 1,770 meters, the view is breathtaking. Take advantage of the orientation table to label the main peaks. This hike is accessible to all.
Our recommendations
Here are some ideas for where to go out in Samoëns.
In January, the Grande Odyssée Savoie Mont-Blanc, a legendary dog sled race, but also the Telemark World Cup, the Ice Water Swimming Open, the Criou Festival Blues and Rock or the Paragliding Testival in April. Samoëns also has a literature festival, the Vélo Vert Festival, botanical days, the Ultra-trail du Haut Giffre or the Samoëns American Festival…
To explore Samoëns and its surroundings in a fun way, download the free "Geocaching" app and set out in search of hidden treasures, known as geocaches. It's a real treasure hunt for adults and children alike.