Getting Here
Route via Calais, Reims, Troyes, Dijon, Macon & Geneva:
From Calais take the autoroute towards Paris. The autoroute then divides; one branch goes to Paris and the other to Reims. Follow the signs for Reims. After Reims head for Troyes, then Dijon, then Macon. At Macon follow the signs for Geneve. Continue to Geneve where the autoroute divides. Take the autoroute marked Chamonix tunnel du Mont Blanc. Continue to Cluses. Take the first Cluses exit signposted Samoëns, Les Gets, Morzine. Continue following the same signposts through Cluses.
Once out of Cluses and heading up the mountain you go through Chatillon. Continue for 2 kms and you will arrive at the junction for Taninges or Morillon/Samoëns. Take the right fork towards Morillon/Samoëns. After about 0.5km along this road take the first right up a small road just by the first farmhouse you come to (a large pink building). Climb the little road and you will arrive at our farmhouse after approximately 0.5km.
The Region
Samoëns
Samoëns is the only ski station in the French Alps that is also a ‘Bourg Historique’ and has been awarded the Coq D’Or, which places it amongst the most beautiful villages in France. Samoëns dates from the 13th Century, is authentic and still a farming village. A mountain market is held on Wednesday mornings in the medieval square.
Flaine
Flaine is a serious skier’s paradise, as it is situated in a perfect bowl, directly North West of Mont-Blanc. Purpose-built in 1964 and extended in 1968, Flaine is known as the ‘Désert Blanc’. This, along with the domain of De Gers, offers some of the finest skiing and off-piste skiing in the Alps.
Morillon
Morillon, alongside the River Giffre, is also a picturesque village station, with many old farmhouses and its Roman church steeple. There are 46km of cross-country pistes from Morillon to the famous Sixt-Fer- à-Cheval.
Taninges
The nearby centre of Taninges is very old with a great deal of character. Just above Taninges is Praz-de-Lys – one of the best cross-country ski areas in the Alps. We recommend this activity, not just for burning off your gourmet/gourmand dinners, but also for taking in the beautiful views.
Sixt
The village of Sixt, at the end of the ‘Cul de sac’ valley, is named as one of the most beautiful villages in France – a “site classé”. The views at the Cirque du Fer-a-Cheval are stunning; this is a wild area of peaks, valleys, glaciers and waterfalls. It was here in 1834 that the conqueror of Mont-Blanc, Jacques Balmat, disappeared mysteriously at the age of 72, while prospecting for the gold rumoured to exist there. The Abbey at Sixt dates back to 1167.
Places to Visit Within Reach
Geneva
Geneva, an international city, is a 40 minute drive from the Farm. En route visit Le Lac Léman, the largest lake in France and the beautiful medieval towns of Yvoire, Thonon and Evian.
Annecy
The old town of Annecy with its fabulous lake known as ‘The Pearl of the Savoie, is well worth a visit.
Chamonix
Le massif du Mont-Blanc, the highest peak in Europe, is only 40 minutes away. The télécabine will take you to L’Aiguille du Midi, with outstanding views of Chamonix and the Alps. En route visit la Mer De Glace.
Italy
Visit Italy for the day via the Mont Blanc Tunnel, a one and a half hour drive. The Aosta Valley is very quaint, extremely old and well worth visiting. Perhaps return over the Petit Saint-Bernard Pass.
Local Museums
In addition, the Haute-Savoie boasts many excellent museums concerning mountain life. These are really worth visiting and make you realise how hard a mountain existence in the past really was.