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Blog > Découverte de Samoëns l’hiver > 10 things not to miss in Samoens in winter
To set foot in Samoens is to enter the homeland of renowned sculptors, the Frahans. You will discover their heritage but also the rich cultural, religious and political history of the village. There are several ways of immersing yourself in this great historical melting pot: guided tours by the Savoie-Mont-Blanc heritage guides or a commented tour of the Savoyard village on the little train: the septitrain.
Set out to conquer one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Haut Giffre valley.
Put on your snowshoes and go to the Joux Plane pass, when you reach the summit culminating at 1770 metres, the view will be breathtaking on the Mont-Blanc massif. You will also discover a cross and an orientation table. The latter will help you put a name to the main summits.
The starting point of this beautiful hike, accessible to all: the Allamands car park. You have the possibility of using skis or snowshoes. To reach the refuge, situated at an altitude of 1763 metres, count on a two-hour walk. The refuge is located at the foot of the Dents d’Oddaz, a wild and undeveloped part of the Giffre valley. The view from here is breathtaking, both in summer and winter.
A must to warm up and eat in Samoëns: the Jaÿsinia tea room. You will enjoy chocolates as well as a beautiful range of pastries and breads. Everything is concocted by Thierry Froissard, the best ice cream maker in France. Nothing better to regain energy after a day in the snow.
It’s a local dish that’s good for the stomach, especially in winter: it’s called chestnut soup. This dish had a very practical origin: to avoid waste. Indeed, it was prepared with leftover bread and cheese to give the people of Septimont a little extra energy when they were working in the cold.
Afghan walking is similar to active meditation. Practising it in the mountains during the winter combines relaxation and a better management of the effort during the walk. The result: these exercises, which come to us from the nomads of the high plateaus, allow you to walk faster and further without getting tired.
Follow in the footsteps of a rich past that is also present. A trail allows you to wander through the village and the leisure centre and discover sculptures. This is a wonderful initiative by the Samoëns masons’ society, heir to the tradition of stonecutters.
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How can you combine the pleasure of skiing with a horse? By practising ski joëring, of course! Towed by a horse or a pony, you will discover the valley in an original way with this sport which comes straight from Scandinavia. To start, you don’t need to be an ace skier, just know how to stand on it. Whether you are walking, trotting or galloping, you will leave with beautiful memories.
Another original way to dive into the history of Samoëns by admiring a unique heritage: the tour of the nine chapels of the commune of Samoëns. You will travel through five centuries of history and one thing in common: the bulbous bell tower common to each of the religious buildings.
To conclude this great list, whatever activity you do, there is one not to be missed: the sunset at La Bourgeoise. This sunset spot offers a magnificent panorama of the majestic Mont Blanc. You may also see the impressive sea of clouds. Another unforgettable moment to share in Samoëns!
