Guidebook for Samoëns
Food Scene
Owned by a certified M.O.F (Master patissiere). These are the best croissants in town and delicate cakes to die for. Everything is made on site (including incredible chocolate at Easter and ice cream extravaganzas in summer).
14 locals recommend
A La Jaysinia
111 Grande RueOwned by a certified M.O.F (Master patissiere). These are the best croissants in town and delicate cakes to die for. Everything is made on site (including incredible chocolate at Easter and ice cream extravaganzas in summer).
Probably the best coffee in town, right in the square. It's small, but perfectly formed! It's also a shop that sells lovely Scandi-inspired clothes, accessories and things for the home. Friendly owners (Swedish/Irish).
Popcorn Vintage
76 Pl. du Gros TilleulProbably the best coffee in town, right in the square. It's small, but perfectly formed! It's also a shop that sells lovely Scandi-inspired clothes, accessories and things for the home. Friendly owners (Swedish/Irish).
Check out La Reposette at the bottom of the bubble car from Samoens 1600. It's a great apres-ski bar (but don't miss the last bus back to Samoens) and serves THE BEST ribs ... EVER!
Vercland
Check out La Reposette at the bottom of the bubble car from Samoens 1600. It's a great apres-ski bar (but don't miss the last bus back to Samoens) and serves THE BEST ribs ... EVER!
Every Wednesday is market day in Samoens. In the summer, it's a serious affair and takes up most of the streets of the village as well as the main square and the large parking area beside the ice rink, selling everything from food, to clothes, to kitchen gadgets. In winter, it's most just food and is located by the ice rink. Great for local produce, hot spit-roasted chickens, cheese etc.
62 locals recommend
Samoëns
Every Wednesday is market day in Samoens. In the summer, it's a serious affair and takes up most of the streets of the village as well as the main square and the large parking area beside the ice rink, selling everything from food, to clothes, to kitchen gadgets. In winter, it's most just food and is located by the ice rink. Great for local produce, hot spit-roasted chickens, cheese etc.
Parks & Nature
A maze of little paths all leading up to the site of the original castle, this is perfect for a cool meander on a hot day or an evening leg-stretch. Find a quiet corner to sit with a book, or spot the best log stack in the village from the top! Views over the village and into the mountains beyond. Lovely!
41 locals recommend
Jaÿsinia
30 Rue du ParcA maze of little paths all leading up to the site of the original castle, this is perfect for a cool meander on a hot day or an evening leg-stretch. Find a quiet corner to sit with a book, or spot the best log stack in the village from the top! Views over the village and into the mountains beyond. Lovely!
There are almost too many wonderful refuges and buvettes to choose from, so ask in the Tourist Office for more info. Most are accessible as a day walk in summer and all provide delicious lunches. Bostan though is open in winter AND summer. Access on racquets, touring skis or by fat bike in winter. A night in a refuge is magical. Plan an overnight adventure (yes, with the kids!) if you can.
12 locals recommend
Refuge de Bostan
Chemin Rural de de BostanThere are almost too many wonderful refuges and buvettes to choose from, so ask in the Tourist Office for more info. Most are accessible as a day walk in summer and all provide delicious lunches. Bostan though is open in winter AND summer. Access on racquets, touring skis or by fat bike in winter. A night in a refuge is magical. Plan an overnight adventure (yes, with the kids!) if you can.
The Cirque is an absolute must for any summer holiday (and for cross country skiing in winter). The staggering scenery can't fail to blow you away. After rain, the waterfalls are simply breathtaking. There's a good restaurant close to the car park to sit and gaze at the views (good Savoyarde food too). But we really recommend you take a walk - at least as far as the first buvette, but the full loop to the Bout du Monde or up to the high buvette would be even better (but if you don't like heights, take the long route there AND back via the Bout du Monde). You can spend an hour in the Cirque, or a whole day, depending on how much walking you fancy (picnicing, dancing in waterfalls etc).
12 locals recommend
Le Cirque du Fer a Cheval
The Cirque is an absolute must for any summer holiday (and for cross country skiing in winter). The staggering scenery can't fail to blow you away. After rain, the waterfalls are simply breathtaking. There's a good restaurant close to the car park to sit and gaze at the views (good Savoyarde food too). But we really recommend you take a walk - at least as far as the first buvette, but the full loop to the Bout du Monde or up to the high buvette would be even better (but if you don't like heights, take the long route there AND back via the Bout du Monde). You can spend an hour in the Cirque, or a whole day, depending on how much walking you fancy (picnicing, dancing in waterfalls etc).
There are 2 lacs in Samoens, but they don't allow swimming, so if you fancy a dip, head to Morillon. It gets very busy on summer weekends after about 11am, but mid-week or earlier in the morning is heavenly. Lifeguards ensure safe swimming. There's also an aerial assault course in the trees here (though we prefer the one beside the Samoens lakes - much quieter and more peaceful).
24 locals recommend
Base de loisirs du Lac Bleu
Les EssertinThere are 2 lacs in Samoens, but they don't allow swimming, so if you fancy a dip, head to Morillon. It gets very busy on summer weekends after about 11am, but mid-week or earlier in the morning is heavenly. Lifeguards ensure safe swimming. There's also an aerial assault course in the trees here (though we prefer the one beside the Samoens lakes - much quieter and more peaceful).
Everything Else
Fabulous views of Mont Blanc, a lovely restaurant, pretty lac, some gorgeous walks/cross country skiing and you get to tick off a Tour de France col too if you come by bike!
31 locals recommend
Col de Joux Plane
Fabulous views of Mont Blanc, a lovely restaurant, pretty lac, some gorgeous walks/cross country skiing and you get to tick off a Tour de France col too if you come by bike!
Drinks & Nightlife
The Place To Be
132 Grande RueIt's a nice little bar with a friendly vibe
Essentials
If you don't shop lower in the valley en route to Samoens, this is your nearest large supermarket. It's a 20 minute walk from the apartment, or a few minutes by car.
33 locals recommend
Carrefour Market
If you don't shop lower in the valley en route to Samoens, this is your nearest large supermarket. It's a 20 minute walk from the apartment, or a few minutes by car.
1 minute from the flat, this is the best place to buy your bread in the morning (and the croissants are great too) and great for any emergencies. But it's pricey for every day food - so head to the Carrefour on the edge of town for your main food shop.
15 locals recommend
sherpa
224 Rue des Billets1 minute from the flat, this is the best place to buy your bread in the morning (and the croissants are great too) and great for any emergencies. But it's pricey for every day food - so head to the Carrefour on the edge of town for your main food shop.
Entertainment & Activities
We love the open air swimming pool here in the summer months (rumour has it they'll be building a covered pool for year round use soon!). If you arrive after 5.30, it's super cheap for the last 1.5 hours - the perfect way to cool down after a hot hike.
13 locals recommend
Lac aux Dames
We love the open air swimming pool here in the summer months (rumour has it they'll be building a covered pool for year round use soon!). If you arrive after 5.30, it's super cheap for the last 1.5 hours - the perfect way to cool down after a hot hike.
Fancy a change from skiing in the winter? Head to the patinoire for some ice skating. Samoens village often puts on big shows here in both summer and winter, plus you can see ice hockey matches.
10 locals recommend
Patinoire Samoens
155 Route des DrugeresFancy a change from skiing in the winter? Head to the patinoire for some ice skating. Samoens village often puts on big shows here in both summer and winter, plus you can see ice hockey matches.