Clare Mann wrote for the Daily Telegraph...."Samoëns is a breath of fresh mountain air. The French proudly describe it as one of their monuments historiques, that just happens to be attached to a great ski area.
The centre of Samoëns is traffic free, and has a beautiful square dominated by a magnificent lime tree. The main street is a delight, full of gourmet shops offering mountain ham, local cheese and mouth-watering pâtisserie. Every Wednesday there is a wonderful market selling local produce. There is also a handful of gorgeous Savoyard interior designer shops offering Alpine bric-a-brac: old skis, retro skiing photographs, antler lamps, "polar bear" skin rugs, and pretty china decorated with hearts. It's enough to make you want to buy a chalet on the spot."
Walking is easy - the village is flat and there are well marked routes along the river Giffre or up in to the low hills. Samoens has a very good theatre and art centre with a host of activities and musical events throughout the season. Quality spa treatments are offered by several local hotels.