Set amid magnificent mountains, Samoëns offers a multitude of sports activities in winter and summer alike (skiing, hiking, hanggliding, paragliding). This village on the chalky slopes of the upper Faucigny was the birthplace of Louise Jay who, with Ernest Cognacq, were the founders of the Samaritaine department stores in Paris. However, Samoëns is also well known as the headquarters of the Masons and Stonecutters Guild since 1659. This is why the village is composed of solid, stone houses.

Distances (in Km)

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 60

Thonon-les-Bains 57

Annecy 72

Genève 54

Les Frahans is ideally located within the old town of Samoens, yet close, within 600 metres to the new ski lift.

Items of interest:

Place du Gros-Tilleul

A large tree marks the centre of the village of Samoëns, a lime tree planted in 1438. Not far away is a fountain with bronze spouts in the form of faces. The château de la Tour stands on the north side of the square.

Jaysinia botanical alpine garden

This garden, created in 1906, was named after its founder, Mme Cognacq, née Jay, a patron of the town. It extends for 3ha and presents an informative display of around 5 000 species of wild flowers of the Alps. On the mountainside is a small chapel, nestling into the surrounding landscape. Higher up, from the rocky outcrop topped with the ruins of a feudal castle, there is a magnificent view of Samoëns and its mountain setting.

Church

This church was rebuilt in the 16 and 17C. Its attractive bell-tower dates from the 12C. The interior was redecorated with plaster by Mme Cognacq-Jay in the late 19C and then redone in the 1970s. The stained-glass windows were added in 1982. In the baptistery chapel is a marble holy water basin (1844) designed by a Samoëns stone mason.