With the advantage of being just a short journey from the UK, the charming village of Samoëns in the heart of the French Alps boasts a wealth of pursuits, such as paragliding, mountain biking and hiking for lovers of the great outdoors. This summer, the traditional village is encouraging all those looking to embrace mountain air, stunning scenery and authentic French culture to discover Samoëns.
With the choice of pursuits in Samoëns including white water rafting, kayaking and quad-biking, the traditional stone-masons village is well-suited to those looking for high-adrenalin sports that can be tailored for family members of all ages and abilities too. When it comes to relaxing after a busy day in the great outdoors, new for this summer is a series of Qigong classes, an ancient Chinese practice that integrates posture, breathing techniques and focused intention. With programmes running from 13 May – 12 July 2016, participants can enjoy learning the practice in tranquil mountain scenery and surrounded by waterfalls.
Just an hour's drive from Geneva, Samoëns is a bikers and walkers paradise with 188 km of trails, 28 downhill slopes and 600 km of hiking tracks. Mountain bikes can be hired and lessons offered for those keen to perfect their mountain biking techniques.
The village boasts a host of traditional restaurants offering visitors the chance to sample some of the region's most delicious cuisine. This summer, La Mezzanine Restaurant welcomes new chef Christophe Piesse to lead the kitchen team, with his specialties including profiteroles d'escargots and a locally-revered gazpacho dish. The restaurant is a favourite with visitors thanks to its late evening opening hours, which benefit those who've spent a full day exploring the surrounding area.
