Children's Summer Activities - Samoens, Morillon and the Surrounding Area

The villages, lakes and surrounding areas offer you the ideal family destination.  Perfect for children of all ages to participate in a wide range of activities all on your doorstep ranging from swimming, to adventure parks and inflatables, to sporting activities specifically designed for the young.  From our own experiences here at Alps Accommodation, we know that holidays abroad with younger children can be a struggle, so we hope these suggestions will be useful.  Alpine family holidays are gaining in popularity, as you really don't need to suffer with the heat on a packed beach, to have a fabulous family summer holiday.  The real focus of the summers here are the families, which is evident in the list of suggestions we have made below designed to keep your toddlers and children of all ages happy and amused.  Here are our recommended top things to do with children in Samoens, Morillon and Sixt during summer time.

Swimming in Samoens and Morillon

Samoens has a large open air swimming park with a 60m water slide, a 25m swimming pool, a medium sized pool, and a large baby pool with mini slide.  It is set in 6000m2 of immaculately kept lawns, enabling you to relax and enjoy the stunning scenery. There is a shaded picnic area, plus you can lay out your picnic in the grounds, or you may simply chose to go the swimming pool cafe/restaurant. Here you can also enjoy an area designated for ball games. More information.

Our beautiful valley has natural lakes scattered near and far which are ideal for swimming. The most child friendly of these are the beautiful Lac Bleu in Morillon and the Lac aux Dames in Samoens, which have designated swimming areas with life guards (July and August), and a long sandy beach area at Lac Bleu, plus they're free of charge to use!  The lakes are surrounded by a huge number of other activities well suited to children, plus excellent family friendly cafe/restaurants at both lakes, of course, stunning scenery! 

The Playgrounds

There are a couple of parks and play areas ideal for young children.  Three of these are set by the lakesides, so a perfect spot to also enjoy a picnic, with designated picnic areas and seating available.  Or feel free to set up anywhere in the acres and acres of grassland.  The parks are well equipped with all you would expect from a playground including different sized swings, mini and larger slides, roundabouts and climbing frames. 

Adventure Parks in Samoens and Morillon

With 2 Indiana Adventure Parks offering courses for all ages, everyone can have a go swinging like a monkey! Climbing, rope slides, zip slides, suspended bridges and walkways high in the trees. A great way to experience a forest adventure in safety with qualified supervision. There are a range of levels starting with children from 2 years in Samoens and Morillon.  Prices start from 16 euros per child, visit the websites for more information: Samoens adventure park and Morillon adventure park.

Alps Accommodation have secured a 10% discount for our guests at the Morillon Adverture Park, or for 20% for groups of 4 or more booked in advance during the morning.

Inflatables Park

Samoens lakeside has an inflatable jump bag from 4 years, with 2 heights of drop to perfect your somersaults, plus a small bouncy castle for toddlers. 

At Morillon' Lac Bleu lakeside the extremely popular inflatable park Le Mali's Park with 6 different areas for kids of all ages. Plenty of shaded areas and sun beds, parents can relax while children play.

Hiking with children

Samoens and the Haute Giffre valley offer a vast network of child friendly walking trails. Whether it's a gentle stroll along the river Giffre between Samoens and Morillon, or a walk around waterfalls and lakes at the Sixt Fer à Cheval national park, an adventurous hike to one of the many family friendly refuges in the area, groups with children of any age are catered for.  The villages of Samoens and Morillon themselves offer super walking routes with plenty for the kids to look at.  The most popular being the Botanical Gardens, open all year and offering a perfect stroll past a waterfall and up to the famous little chapel.  The best views of Samoens are certainly assured when you reach the top and the whole walk is tarmac, so very pushchair friendly!

Sightseeing on the cable car and chairlifts of the Grand Massif

The lifts in Samoens, Morillon, Les Carroz and the Grand Massif can simply be enjoyed as a sightseeing adventure for the family.  The scenery is stunning and you can spot wildlife along the way.  The lift in Flaine takes you to 2550m, where you can enjoy an uninterrupted view of Mont Blanc.  We also strongly recommend taking the Esserts and Bergin Chairlifts in Morillon Les Esserts to the Igloo restaurant for lunch in a wonderful family restaurant. There are toys and table tennis for the kids, plus a huge terrace with dining and plenty of deckchairs.  Either take the lift back down, or walk down the Marvel run and enjoy the nature trail spotting pictures of alpine animals and birds hidden in the trees.   Making this activity even better, the Grand Massif lift network is free for children below of 5, but take their passports for proof of age!

Biking/cycling for all ages

The Samoens area offers a comprehensive trail network covering all ages and disciplines. For younger children, the best bike route out of the village is to follow the river Giffre between Morillon and Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval on a wide, well surfaced track offering stunning scenery, waterfalls, lakes and plenty of restaurant/cafe stops. If you have very young children and wish to cycle around the villages, you can hire a 4 wheel bike with secure seating at the front for little ones who don't wish to help with the pedaling!  We recommend going from Samoens along to the beautiful village of Vallons.  It's a flat route and you can cycle past little chapels in this quiet hamlet boasting some of the valley’s finest traditional Savoyard architecture.  

Mountain biking

The Grand Massif lift network offers some great mountain biking for more experienced and adventurous children. The brand new green-graded trail in Les Carroz, and the blue trails in Morillon are the perfect place to start and can be combined to provide a fantastic day out. See our guide for this route.

We have arranged discounts with three of the best bike hire shops in Samoens. They have a good range of mountain bikes from family bikes, to full suspension enduro or downhill bikes, and fat bikes which are great fun whether in Summer or Winter!

Village centre activities in Samoens and Morillon

Samoens has a Carrousel in the main square, a mini train called the "Septi Train" which takes a sight seeing route around the local area.  There are many activities in the main square ranging from wooden kids games, to organised activities and music.  The family friendly outdoor cafes, creperies, pattiseries and restaurants in Samoens, Morillon and Sixt are the perfect spot to take the kids.

Sixt Fer à Cheval National Park

Located approximately 6km from Samoens and 10k from Morillon. Sixt Fer à Cheval offers the vastest natural reserve in the Haute-Savoie, over 9200 hectares, making it  a favourite place for wildlife and mountain fauna. There are numerous  easy walking paths of this natural reserve of Sixt, and if you are lucky, you may see chamois, ibexes and marmots (binoculars are recommended!). There are a few cafes and restaurants dotted along the way, plus other activities such as horse riding and a small visitors centre, home to the enormous stuffed vulture found in the valley!  Sixt Fer à Cheval is also home to dozens of waterfalls, so offers an ideal day (or 2!) out with plenty to see and do and keep the kids amused.

Visit the eco farm and museum in Samoens

The Clos Parchet Farm Folk Museum.  Located just outside Samoens, take a step back in time by visiting this traditional authentic farm restored to its former glory from 1815. They have brought together a collection of period utensils to illustrate everyday life as it was. Open Thursday afternoons, more information can be gained from the Tourist office.

Horse riding

For younger children, Septiponeys offer pony rides starting from the Lac aux Dames in Samoens where you can take your child (aged 3-12years) on a self-led pony ride around the lake. These lovely little ponies are at the lake everyday from 10am-6pm, except Wednesdays and Saturdays when they rest in the morning but are back for rides from 2pm. A 15 minute tour is 6 Euros and the 30 minute tour is 10 Euros. More information on 0033 (0)6 03 57 17 01

The golf range at Samoens lake and Minigolf near Morillon lake

At this driving range with a difference for kids and adults, you get to hit your balls out onto the Samoens' lake. Club hire is 2 Euros, as is a bucket of balls, which is more than enough to keep you busy. There is also a little putting green to try – cost is 5 Euros. And if you just wish to spectate, you can enjoy the view with an ice-cream and a drink from Vincent’s refreshment stand. There is a large kids park directly next to the driving range, so younger kids can also be amused. Samoëns Golf is open 11am-7pm daily during the school hoidays. More information.

Next to Morillon lake, in the little village of Verchaix, is a fun mini golf course.  A lovely shady spot, ideal on a hot day with picnic benches also available. Cost 3.50 Euros per person. More information.

Especially for kids around 5 years and older

With an age limit of around 5-8 years, kids (and the parents!) can also enjoy further activities to include climbing (from 5 years) archery, via ferrata, outdoor laser games, parapenting, rafting and canyoning (from 8 years)  These require pre booking.  Further information and other activity suggestions are found on www.samoens.com and the Bureau de Guides website, or email info@guidesmontagnes.com. The office in Samoens located next to the Tourist office, open from 9.30 to 12.30 and 15.30 to 19.30.  State you are with Alps Accommodation as there are discounts available.

A wet weather day? - See our article of things to do!

The Marmottes activity club

For 3 years-13 years, a local activity club is also a great option  These centres are located in Verchaix for 3-6 years and Vallons Samoens for the 6-13 years during the English and French school holidays.  Full days available with lunch included, or half days are available.  Prior booking is required.  Contact David TOMASZEWSKI on centrelamarmotte@gmail.com, tel: 0033 6 42 57 23 34. 

Additional useful information

Push chairs can be hired from J'aime Sport in the Village - on 0033 (0)4 50 34 98 20

Cots and highchairs are available in all the chalets and apartments listed on our website, just request at the time of booking.

Here at Alps Accommodation, we have lots of information that we can assist with (with young kids of our own), so please do not hesitate to contact us if you need any more information on things to do with kids in Samoens and Morillon.  The Tourist offices in Samoens, Morillon, Sixt and Verchaix are a wealth of knowledge and they can help with booking activities, if you require.