Location

Le Grand Massif                                                                Location maps

                                                                                  Area map                Village map 

Forget the rushing around you do at home. Come here and relax! Slow down and drink in the scenery in the beautiful Giffre Valley – noted in the French blue guide as “une des plus ravissantes des Alpes”. It is still a hidden gem, only slowly being discovered by the British, as there are no tour operators. It is tucked between the better known Morzine, and Chamonix – but without the crowds! We expect it to stay unspoilt as much of the valley is classified as “Parc Naturel” and the residents are very proud of its beauty.  How to get to us

Samoëns has been awarded a coveted Coq d’Or for being one of the prettiest villages in France, and is the only ski resort that has been classified by the Caisse des Monuments Historique. It remains true to its past as a thriving stone cutting centre, and you can still see many features from this time. It is an authentic farming town, and in the summer you may notice cattle strolling through the streets, their alpine bells jingling. The beautiful ancient church dominates the square with its medieval fountain and market area. This is the perfect place to claim your seat in one of the cafes and watch the world go by. There are some lovely quaint shops, and many activities are held throughout the year such as festivals, open-air concerts and craft fairs. The Wednesday market is a highlight of the week, with the array of local produce you would expect. The town boasts a variety of fine restaurants, ranging from traditional French Savoyard to Pizzerias and a number of cafes and bars. In the summer you can consider what to do next whilst sitting by the river or lake – or simply doze off, lulled by the sound of the water.

The village of Sixt is at the end of the valley, and is named as one of the most beautiful villages in France – ‘a site classe’. The views at the Cirque du Fer-a-Cheval are not to be missed. Stop to enjoy breathtaking views of waterfalls, mountain peaks, and forests. There are numerous marked walks to help you discover more of the beauty from all angles. The abbey at Sixt dates back to 1167 and there are many other areas of historic and cultural interest to explore.

Flaine is a serious skiers paradise due to the fact it is situated in a bowl, directly north-west of Mont-Blanc. Flaine and the area of De Gers provides some of the finest skiing and off-piste skiing in the Alps, and the snow always seems to be superb. The architecture is not to be enjoyed unless you enjoy 60s concrete jungles, but it is due to be developed by Intrawest, which is likely to be very good news.

Another nearby village situated alongside the river Giffre is Morillon. A pretty, traditional village with a cobbled main street, and pretty little hamlets to wander around. Lac Bleu provides a cooling attraction in the summer, with an adventure park for those energetic children.

Perched on a plateau at 1140 metres is the village resort of Les Carroz. This resort dates back to 1936, with the first draglift opening in 1939 – the longest in Europe at the time! Les Carroz is very popular with artists and there are 2 Art Galleries which hold regular exhibitions.

Mathonex is a little farming hamlet perched 850 metres above Samoens. Positioned on the south facing side of the mountain, it is bathed in sun throughout the year. The farm is positioned just below the little village chapel which dates from 1560. Opposite is the water trough which is fed from the nearby source. The surrounding meadows are full of alpine flowers, when not occupied by the cows or sheep, complete with their alpine bells. The road continues up to the beautiful Col De Joux Plan where there is a lake, a lovely restaurant, and plenty of walks, all with stunning views of Mont Blanc. On the way it is possible to find out more about the local traditions at the Agriculture Museum.

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