Samoëns : attractions

When you’re staying at the Château you don’t necessarily need a car unless you plan to make some of the longer day trips to other towns. In winter, guests often come without a car because the free ski shuttle bus stops almost next door, and local shops, bars and restaurants are all within easy walking distance.

The Lac aux Dames centre

Around the two lakes of this lively recreation area there are numerous sporting activities: tennis, paragliding, swimming ( big public pools and picnic areas), trampolines, fishing, sailing , archery, open-air concerts, children’s playground, paint ball battles, football goal nets and, for would-be Tarzans, an adventure park for climbing, clambering and whizzing along flying fox lines. In winter as well as summer there are many pleasant walking tracks through the surrounding woods and along the riverbanks.

Botanical Gardens

Celebrated throughout France for its 8000 species and its extraordinary site, this beautiful botanical garden offers a fascinating uphill stroll from the village centre to a ruined chateau overlooking it.

Weekly market

The lively Wednesday market brings people to the village from all over the valley. Farm-grown produce – hams, cheeses, saucissons and fish - are sold in the area near the Tourist Office and skating rink, and dozens of stalls of artisanal crafts, clothes and textiles wind up through the village to the main square.

Winter sports in the village

In addition to the huge ski domain accessed by the Grand Massif express lift alongside the village, it’s only a short walk to the Samoens skating rink and to groomed cross-country ski trails – part of a 67km Nordic ski domain covering the Giffre valley, Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval and the Col de Joux Plane.

The Gorges de Tines

This dramatic, headlong gorge between Samoens and Sixt is the highlight of thrilling rafting trips from Sixt to Samoens, kitted out in wetsuits and life-jackets and steered by expert helmsmen. There are climbing walls on the cliffs, one equipped as an excellent Via Ferrata (cabled way) providing safe vertical-face climbing.