Paul and Hayley's guidebook
Neighborhoods
The nearest village where you'll find a bakery, Superette, tabac and butchers.
17 os moradores locais recomendam
Morillon
The nearest village where you'll find a bakery, Superette, tabac and butchers.
10 minutes' by car, the picturesque village of Samoens offers many shops, restaurants and bars, open throughout the year.
62 os moradores locais recomendam
Samoëns
10 minutes' by car, the picturesque village of Samoens offers many shops, restaurants and bars, open throughout the year.
20 minutes' by car, well worth a visit and a wonder around. Officially recognised as one of the 'most beautiful villages in France', the village is based around a beautiful former 12th-century Abbey with the glacial river Giffre splitting the village in two.
101 os moradores locais recomendam
Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval
20 minutes' by car, well worth a visit and a wonder around. Officially recognised as one of the 'most beautiful villages in France', the village is based around a beautiful former 12th-century Abbey with the glacial river Giffre splitting the village in two.
Sightseeing
Do not miss out on the Cirque! Impressive at all times of the year, cross country skiiing, snow shoeing and sledging in the winter, waterfalls in the summer! One of our favourite places that we will visit numerous times a year. Have a coffee or lunch at the restaurant just up from the parking and take in the surrounding cliffs and waterfalls, or stroll along the pathway and around the cirque - it can take any time from 2 hours to 5 hours, depending on how long you stop to gawp at the surroundings! Longer hikes also possible around the area.
43 os moradores locais recomendam
Cirque du Fer à Cheval
Do not miss out on the Cirque! Impressive at all times of the year, cross country skiiing, snow shoeing and sledging in the winter, waterfalls in the summer! One of our favourite places that we will visit numerous times a year. Have a coffee or lunch at the restaurant just up from the parking and take in the surrounding cliffs and waterfalls, or stroll along the pathway and around the cirque - it can take any time from 2 hours to 5 hours, depending on how long you stop to gawp at the surroundings! Longer hikes also possible around the area.
A half hour hike from the Col de Jeux plan, overlooking the Giffre valley. Particularly recommended for sun set.
10 os moradores locais recomendam
La Bourgeoise
A half hour hike from the Col de Jeux plan, overlooking the Giffre valley. Particularly recommended for sun set.
Well worth a visit throughout the year, walk up to the frozen waterfall from Salvagny on snow shoes in the winter, drive or cycly to it in the summer.
43 os moradores locais recomendam
Cascata do Rouget
Well worth a visit throughout the year, walk up to the frozen waterfall from Salvagny on snow shoes in the winter, drive or cycly to it in the summer.
Beautiful Annecy, 1 hour drive. Situated on the edge of Lake Annecy. Well worth a walk around the old town, and maybe a cycle around the lake on the great cycle lane!
613 os moradores locais recomendam
Annecy
Beautiful Annecy, 1 hour drive. Situated on the edge of Lake Annecy. Well worth a walk around the old town, and maybe a cycle around the lake on the great cycle lane!
The home of Mont Blanc! Head up the Aguille de Midi or the train to the Mer de Glace.
418 os moradores locais recomendam
Chamonix
The home of Mont Blanc! Head up the Aguille de Midi or the train to the Mer de Glace.
Food scene
Bar and restaurant very popular with the locals and tourists, open all day through winter and summer, offering everything from coffee to lunch to apres ski and dinner.
22 os moradores locais recomendam
La Reposette
60 Route du FayetBar and restaurant very popular with the locals and tourists, open all day through winter and summer, offering everything from coffee to lunch to apres ski and dinner.
A varied menu with English speaking staff, serving local dishes and pizza.
6 os moradores locais recomendam
La Puzze
409 Rte de SamoënsA varied menu with English speaking staff, serving local dishes and pizza.
Basic rustic decor, serving large portions and offering good value dishes. Great pizzas (evening only) eat in or take away.
Restaurant Le Yeti Morillon
513 Route de SamoënsBasic rustic decor, serving large portions and offering good value dishes. Great pizzas (evening only) eat in or take away.
Beautifully decorated restaurant with new friendly owners for summer 2019. Very cosy and lovely atmosphere. Excellent food, with vegetarian options. Well priced and very friendly and attentive owners. For a romantic evening, you can reserve one of their 2 person booths!
19 os moradores locais recomendam
Auberge de Montagne la Table de Fifine
612 Chem. de la CourBeautifully decorated restaurant with new friendly owners for summer 2019. Very cosy and lovely atmosphere. Excellent food, with vegetarian options. Well priced and very friendly and attentive owners. For a romantic evening, you can reserve one of their 2 person booths!
Rustic, great value, informal and bustling atmosphere. Savoyard dishes and Pizzas dominate the menu here.
10 os moradores locais recomendam
Restaurant Le Sérac (restaurant, pizzeria, spécialités savoyardes)
79 Rue des GlaciersRustic, great value, informal and bustling atmosphere. Savoyard dishes and Pizzas dominate the menu here.
New, modern decor with an excellent level of French cuisine. Opened by the owners of the popular Lou Caboens at Samoens 1600, this restaurant is not to be missed.
10 os moradores locais recomendam
L’Estanco
82 Av. Cognacq JayNew, modern decor with an excellent level of French cuisine. Opened by the owners of the popular Lou Caboens at Samoens 1600, this restaurant is not to be missed.
A lovely cosy bistro with a fresh new menu every day. Run by a passionate local couple, fluent in English. They specialise in local and organic produce and deliver a delightful combination of dishes. Carefully selected quality wines.
27 os moradores locais recomendam
Le 8M des monts
82 Pl. du Gros TilleulA lovely cosy bistro with a fresh new menu every day. Run by a passionate local couple, fluent in English. They specialise in local and organic produce and deliver a delightful combination of dishes. Carefully selected quality wines.
A Japanese take away located in the centre of Samoens offering great Sushi and several other dishes, including vegetarian options and Japanese beer!
Natsuki Sushi & Bento
102 Route de la PiazA Japanese take away located in the centre of Samoens offering great Sushi and several other dishes, including vegetarian options and Japanese beer!
Fantastic burgers, hot dogs and tapas. Take away or sit in upstairs in the great restaurant.
La Canette
176 Grande RueFantastic burgers, hot dogs and tapas. Take away or sit in upstairs in the great restaurant.
Overlooking the Lake Flerier in Taninges. Excellent cuisine, full of new flavours and combinations. Definitely worth a visit.
12 os moradores locais recomendam
LA CREMAILLERE Taninges - Flerier
223 Rte du LacOverlooking the Lake Flerier in Taninges. Excellent cuisine, full of new flavours and combinations. Definitely worth a visit.
Our current favourite local spot for lunch, ideal when in Sixt. Local dishes as well as beautiful salads (the burrata/tomato salad is our favour!) and dishes a bit different.
Le Rouet
Our current favourite local spot for lunch, ideal when in Sixt. Local dishes as well as beautiful salads (the burrata/tomato salad is our favour!) and dishes a bit different.
Creperie and Savoyard specialities with an emphasis on local ingredients where possible. Fantastic ‘fondue aux cépes’! Friendly service.
La Carline
Place de la MairieCreperie and Savoyard specialities with an emphasis on local ingredients where possible. Fantastic ‘fondue aux cépes’! Friendly service.
Activities
Lake with various activities - life guarded beach area, adventure park, pump track, tennis, mini golf, giant inflatables, rafting, pony rides and more. In the winter there is cross country skiing, sledging and pony rides.
24 os moradores locais recomendam
Base de lazer do Lago Azul
Les EssertinLake with various activities - life guarded beach area, adventure park, pump track, tennis, mini golf, giant inflatables, rafting, pony rides and more. In the winter there is cross country skiing, sledging and pony rides.
Ski hire shop in the winter, mountain bike hire in the summer. Also offer biking lessons and guiding, canyoning and more.
7 os moradores locais recomendam
Mountain Spirit
135 Rue des BilletsSki hire shop in the winter, mountain bike hire in the summer. Also offer biking lessons and guiding, canyoning and more.
Skiing Christmas-mid April, mountain biking/hiking July and August. Nearest lift is Morillon (5 minutes' drive), Samoens 10 minutes' drive.
18 os moradores locais recomendam
Domínios esquiáveis do Grand Massif
8 rue du ChâteauSkiing Christmas-mid April, mountain biking/hiking July and August. Nearest lift is Morillon (5 minutes' drive), Samoens 10 minutes' drive.
Open air swimming park with 3 pools and water slides, it is set in 6000m2 of lawn enabling you to relax in stunning scenery. Open daily from 10am until 7pm, July and August.
Note, Speedo type swimming trunks or tight swimming shorts are required for all males who want to swim in the pool, but any shorts can be worn in the sunbathing areas.
9 os moradores locais recomendam
Piscine Municipale
Les CommunauxOpen air swimming park with 3 pools and water slides, it is set in 6000m2 of lawn enabling you to relax in stunning scenery. Open daily from 10am until 7pm, July and August.
Note, Speedo type swimming trunks or tight swimming shorts are required for all males who want to swim in the pool, but any shorts can be worn in the sunbathing areas.
The Giffre River is perfect for a range of water activities, in particular rafting and canoeing.
7 os moradores locais recomendam
Ecolorado Rafting
1148 Route de SixtThe Giffre River is perfect for a range of water activities, in particular rafting and canoeing.
A cross between walking and climbing, opening up the mountain to a wider spectrum of people. The routes are equipped with cables, ropes and ladders which make the route a little easier, although it is a demanding activity and not for those with a fear of heights. You have two clips and are constantly attached to the mountain by at least one of them. Equipment hire possible from most hire shops in the area.
8 os moradores locais recomendam
Via Ferrata sixt-fer-a cheval
A cross between walking and climbing, opening up the mountain to a wider spectrum of people. The routes are equipped with cables, ropes and ladders which make the route a little easier, although it is a demanding activity and not for those with a fear of heights. You have two clips and are constantly attached to the mountain by at least one of them. Equipment hire possible from most hire shops in the area.
Pumptrack de Morillon
Very popular for children of all ages!
Zigzag
126 Grande RueSki school company. Also offering multiple activities throughout the summer.
Ski hire shop in the winter, bike hire in the summer. Also offer bike guiding and parapenting.
7 os moradores locais recomendam
XTREME GLISSES - Location ski Samoëns
730 Route du Grand MassifSki hire shop in the winter, bike hire in the summer. Also offer bike guiding and parapenting.
Mountain refuges
Accessible throughout the year - snow shoe, fat bike or ski tour up in the winter, hike/run/e-bike up in the summer. Start from Les Allemandes car park. Offering refreshments in winter and summer. Plenty more hiking up past the refuge to the tete or col de bostan. Accommodation also available.
12 os moradores locais recomendam
Refuge de Bostan
Chemin Rural de de BostanAccessible throughout the year - snow shoe, fat bike or ski tour up in the winter, hike/run/e-bike up in the summer. Start from Les Allemandes car park. Offering refreshments in winter and summer. Plenty more hiking up past the refuge to the tete or col de bostan. Accommodation also available.
Refuge de Sales just before the chalets, offering food and drinks (and beds) through the summer. Access from Le Lignon. One of our favourite walks, you nearly always see wildlife - chamoix, ibex and marmottes! Waterfalls galore too.
8 os moradores locais recomendam
Chalets de Sales
Refuge de Sales just before the chalets, offering food and drinks (and beds) through the summer. Access from Le Lignon. One of our favourite walks, you nearly always see wildlife - chamoix, ibex and marmottes! Waterfalls galore too.
Open in the summer, winter room available in the winter. Offering food, drink and beds. Perfect overnight stop off if you want to attempt Le Buet.
6 os moradores locais recomendam
Refuge du Grenairon Le Buet
GrenaironOpen in the summer, winter room available in the winter. Offering food, drink and beds. Perfect overnight stop off if you want to attempt Le Buet.
Situated on the edge of a lake, surrounded by beautiful scenery. Well worth the hike from the car park located part way up the road to Samoens 1600. Offering simple but fantastic food.
Refuge du Lac de Gers
Chemin Rural de Gers À BénéSituated on the edge of a lake, surrounded by beautiful scenery. Well worth the hike from the car park located part way up the road to Samoens 1600. Offering simple but fantastic food.
Groceries
Carrefour Market
Super U et drive
182 Rte d'Annemasse340 route de samoens supérette VIVALMORILLON VILLAGE
sherpa
224 Rue des BilletsLE PIED DE POULE
Route de SixtFantastic butchers in Samoens.
Tiffanie
121 Grande RueAu Nid Nature - Epicerie BIO
81 Place des 7 MontsWell stocked organic shop in Samoens.
Our local farm shop selling their own cheese at good prices. Also sell other local produce : saucission, cured ham, diots (local sausages), eggs, beers and wine.
Ferme Boisier
Our local farm shop selling their own cheese at good prices. Also sell other local produce : saucission, cured ham, diots (local sausages), eggs, beers and wine.