France

Samoens

Welcome to Samoens

Samoëns is a car-free medieval village and French heritage site within the Grand Massif ski region, just over an hour from Geneva. Property prices remain relatively affordable, with apartments from €250,000 and chalets under €1m, though tightly controlled planning limits new supply, making this an increasingly attractive entry point for French Alps investors.

Grand Massif ski region
265kms piste to 2,500m
Just 1hr Geneva
Charming year-round resort
Historic village centre

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France

Property for Sale in Samoens

Mixed

Septentrion Residence

Samoens, France

54 - 110m²
2 - 4
0.8km to piste

Mixed

Sinaya Apartments

Samoens, France

67 - 104m²
2 - 4
1km to piste

Mixed

Les Chalets de Jaysinia

Samoens, France

40 - 235m²
1 - 5
1km to piste

Property For Sale In Samoens

Samoëns is a wonderful choice for families seeking an authentic French village. Property here remains relatively affordable, and its link to the Grand Massif ensures plenty of high-altitude, snow-sure skiing.

Samoens Property Guide

As with most resorts in the French Alps, the market has been moving quickly in the years post-COVID with buyers outnumbering sellers. This has resulted in price rises of around 10% in both 2021 and 2022.

The Samoëns real estate landscape is diverse, encompassing Samoëns Village, Samoëns 1600, and the serene Le Grand Massif area.

Samoëns Village is the heart and soul of the area. Here, residents and visitors can enjoy close proximity to local artisan shops, exquisite dining options, and vibrant cultural events, all set against the backdrop of stunning mountain vistas. The Grand Massif Express gondola is also located here, providing swift access to the expansive ski domain of Le Grand Massif.

A brief climb from the village takes you to Samoëns 1600. This area is renowned for its direct access to some of the most thrilling slopes in the region. Properties here offer ski-in ski-out convenience, allowing residents to effortlessly integrate into the mountain lifestyle.

Venturing into the tranquillity of the Le Grand Massif area, one discovers a haven of peace and natural beauty. This area is ideal for those desiring an alpine retreat away from the hustle and bustle, with secluded chalets and apartments for sale amidst the serene landscape. With properties facing both south and west, residents are treated to spectacular sunsets and uninterrupted views of the majestic peaks and valleys. Le Grand Massif area is also near renowned hiking trails and outdoor adventure spots, perfect for nature lovers.

Samoens has a good selection of detached chalets that tend to be found on the outskirts of the village and a short walk to the historic centre. Prices rise as you get closer to the ski lifts and many older chalets and now being re-developed and modernised.

Apartments range in price considerably with newer buildings tending to benefit from upgraded communal facilities and wellness areas that are popular with buyers and their rental guests.

If you are looking to buy a new-build property, you can often reclaim the 20% VAT on the purchase price by signing up for a full rental management package. While prices are rising in Samoens it still represents good value for money – particularly when compared to nearby resorts such as Chamonix and Megeve.

Winter in Samoens

Being part of the Grand Massif, Samoens is a small part of one of the largest ski regions in the French Alps. Popular resorts such as Flaine, Les Carroz and Morillon are all directly linked to Samoens with pistes rising right up to 2,500m around the Tete des Lindars.

The village has a rich history that is evident in its traditional architecture and the ancient "Gros Tilleul" tree, which dates back to 1438. Samoëns is not just a ski resort; it is a lively mountain village that offers a more laid-back and family-friendly atmosphere than its more commercialized counterparts.

The Samoens pistes offer excellent skiing for intermediate skiers while the higher slopes around Flaine offer some more steeper terrain for advanced skiers and off-piste enthusiasts. The long tree-lined slopes back to Les Carroz and Morillon are particularly fun for families with young children. The new Vercland Gondola opened in 2021/22 after a brief delay due to COVID-19 ensuring that Samoens 1,600 is accessed now in just a short 7-minute gondola ride.

La Louisiane and Le Serac are popular choices for those seeking a traditional fondue or raclette experience. If you're looking for a relaxed environment to enjoy some après-ski drinks, The Covey's Pub is the perfect spot. For those who want to keep the party going, L'Beu and the T-Bar offer a lively nightlife scene complete with live music and DJ sets.

Summer in Samoens

Samoens, located near Geneva and with excellent infrastructure, has always been a popular summer holiday destination in the French Alps. The picture-perfect resort centre is home to busy markets, music, and numerous sporting and cultural events from May until September. All this with the stunning Haute Savoie mountain range in the background.

Samoëns has been investing in its summer activities for some time, and now it attracts plenty of summer tourists who come to enjoy hiking, biking, rock climbing, and more. The hiking trails wind their way through the lush forests and alpine meadows, making it a popular destination for those who want to explore the natural beauty of Samoëns.

Both families and experienced explorers will enjoy the freedom of navigating the trails, discovering hidden waterfalls, and having a picnic by serene lakes. On warm and sunny days, the Base de Loisir des Lacs Aux Dames offers a beautiful spot for families to swim and cool down. For those seeking a bit more adventure, the Le Giffre River provides opportunities for white water rafting, canyoning, and kayaking.

Journey beyond Samoëns to uncover the gems of the Haute-Savoie region. Day excursions can lead you to the expansive beauty of the Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval Nature Reserve, the historical allure of Chamonix, or the tranquil waters of Lake Geneva.

Samoens FAQs

The market average in Samoens typically sits between €5,000 and €7,000 per square metre. For high-end new-build apartments in the village centre or near the Grand Massif Express, prices are currently ranging from €8,000 to €10,000 per square metre. Older resale apartments or properties in the hamlets just outside the main village (like Vercland) can still be found for €4,000 to €5,500 per square metre.

Because Samoëns is officially classified as a Pays d'Art et d'Histoire (a rare distinction for a ski resort), planning permission is incredibly strict. This prevents the over-development seen in other resorts, ensuring that the supply of new properties remains scarce while demand rises, which naturally drives up capital appreciation. The Grand Massif Express gondola revolutionised the village by connecting the historic centre directly to the slopes in 8 minutes. Properties within walking distance of this lift command premium rental rates, as they solve the historic problem of Samoëns being a valley floor resort. Samoëns has a summer season that rivals its winter one. Attractions like the Jaÿsinia Botanical Gardens and the intense rafting activity on the Giffre river ensure the village is bustling from June to September, offering a true 10-month rental economy.

It is the only ski resort in France listed as a "Monument Historique." The village is built almost entirely from local limestone, not wood, giving it a grand, permanent feel. In the middle of the village lies a 3.5-hectare alpine botanical garden, gifted by the founder of La Samaritaine department store in Paris. It contains 2,500 mountain plant species from five continents, a completely unique feature for a ski resort. The village lives in the shadow of the Criou mountain, a vertical rock face that glows pink at sunset. It provides a dramatic, Dolomite-style backdrop that makes Samoëns one of the most photogenic villages in the Alps.