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The village of Samoëns
lies on the flat plain of
the Giffre valley; its nine,
tiny, satellite hamlets nestle
on the surrounding wooded
slopes.
The
whole retains a traditional
Alpine atmosphere, with lots
of old, stone buildings, wooden
chalets and farms, sheep,
goats and cattle grazing in
lush green pastures; and,
from Springtime onwards, flowers,
flowers, flowers.
At the
heart of Samoëns is the Place
du Gros-Tilleul, so-named
for its superb lime-tree,
dating back to 1438. The beautiful
sixteenth-century church dominates
one side of the square, overlooking
the covered corn market and
a pretty fountain decorated
with bronze
sculptures.
a heady
place!

The Samoëns ski area offers
a varied playground accessible
to all. For expert skiers
there are black and red pistes
at the top of the resort and
a vast off-piste area to indulge
your enthusiasm. Beginners
will improve on the lower,
more gentle blue and green
slopes which were entirely
re-designed in 2003. Small
children are welcomed at the
children's ski area (jardin
d´enfants) at the top of the
Grand Massif Express cable
car.
Above it all, however,
there is Mont Blanc, Europe's
highest mountain at 4,807
m. Climb it if you must; otherwise
take the télécabine, the tram
or the train; marvel at the
view, take a trip to, if not
down, the glacier, visit the
Sea of Ice. You'll find it
hard to come back down to
earth.
Getting
there
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