How to reach the tourist office?
By producing renewable energy, we are helping to combat climate change, supporting the sustainable management of our forests, and creating local employment opportunities.
The Energy-Saving Plan aims to reduce energy consumption across the Grand Massif area while supporting long-term climate objectives.
As part of this initiative, some ski lifts are temporarily taken out of service during periods of lower visitor numbers in order to optimise energy use.
Grand Massif is committed to a sustainable future and has developed a strategy to reduce its environmental impact by 2030.
This strategy is built around five key objectives:
For each of these objectives, concrete measures are being implemented to avoid and reduce environmental pressures.
To offset the impacts associated with development projects, compensation measures are also put in place.
Discover some of the initiatives helping us achieve these goals.
Each of us spends around one-third of our lives at work. Caring for the environment also means taking action in the workplace.
By adopting simple, common-sense practices that help reduce our environmental impact while saving resources, we can all act in a more environmentally responsible and sustainable way.
The Samoëns Tourist Office is committed to integrating these principles into its day-to-day operations and encouraging environmentally responsible behaviour across its activities.
In peak season, some of our most iconic sites can quickly become very busy and their car parks may reach capacity. To ensure a calmer, more enjoyable and eco-friendly experience, check out our practical tips and alternative ways to avoid the crowds and discover the valley from a different perspective.
Protecting Samoëns and the Giffre Valley also means adopting simple everyday actions that help preserve an area of outstanding natural beauty and rich heritage. Whether it’s choosing greener ways to travel, respecting the natural environment, supporting local businesses, or reducing waste, there are many practical ways to contribute to more sustainable tourism. Discover our summer eco-friendly tips and winter eco-friendly tips to find out how you can make a positive difference during your stay.
The Tourist Office actively promotes local businesses and tourism professionals that are committed to recognised environmental and sustainable development initiatives, whether at local or national level.
Particular attention is given to local artisans and producers who embrace responsible practices, including the use of locally sourced raw materials, short supply chains, traditional craftsmanship, eco-design, waste reduction, sustainable production methods, and participation in recognised certification schemes and sustainability programmes.
Club Med Samoëns Grand Massif – Find out more here
Club Med Chalets de Samoëns Residence – Find out more here
Neige et Roc Charming Chalet Hotel – Find out more here
Alexane Hotel & Spa – Find out more here
Alexane Tourist Residence – Find out more here
La Boule de Neige Hotel – Find out more here
MMV Club Residence – Find out more here
Alps Accommodation – Chalet Toubkal – Find out more here
Alps Accommodation – Le Mazot – Find out more here
Alps Accommodation – Chalet Moccand – Find out more here
La Renardière Tourist Residence – Find out more here
AEC Les Becchi Holiday Village – Find out more here
Arts et Vie Residence – Find out more here
Gîte du Vionnet : Find out more here
Mont Plaisir, Chalet d’alpage écoresponsable : Find out more here
Refuge de Bostan : Find out more
Refuge du lac de Gers : Find out more here
Refuge du Folly : Find out more here
Refuge Alfred Wills : Find out more here
Refuge de la Vogealle : Find out more here
Refuge du Grenairon : Find out more here
Refuge des Fonts : Find out more here
Aereau Voyages – Find out more here
Au Nid Nature – Find out more here
L’Art des Choix – Find out more here
Brasserie du Criou Brewery – Find out more here
Brasserie du Giffre Brewery – Find out more here
Jaÿsinia Pastry & Chocolate Shop – Find out more here
Tiffanie Bakery – Find out more here
Le Veau Gras Butcher’s Shop – Find out more here
Le Pied de Poule Butcher’s Shop – Find out more here
La Feuille de Vigne Wine Shop – Find out more here
Le Nez en l’Air Wine Shop – Find out more here
La Tour Gourmande Delicatessen – Find out more here
Refuge des Saveurs Delicatessen – Find out more here
Xtreme Glisses : Find out more here
Le Grenier Savoyard Delicatessen : Find out more here
Dahu&Co : Find out more here
Ferme des Cîmes – Find out more here
GAEC Croës Canailles Farm – Find out more here
GAEC du Criou Farm – Find out more here
La Ferme Dunoyer Restaurant – Find out more here
Visit to the Clos Parchet Ecomuseum Farm : Find out more here
L’Atelier de Puce – Find out more here
Montagne et Chocolat – Find out more here
Saijana – Macramé Workshop – Find out more here
Pastry-Making Classes – Find out more here
O’Bi Sport Events – Find out more here
In addition to the many initiatives undertaken by local stakeholders to promote more responsible tourism, several businesses and service providers across the destination have received official recognition through environmental certification schemes such as Green Key, Green Globe, Travelife, and the BirdLife International partnership.
These certifications reflect a structured commitment that is regularly assessed and monitored, covering areas such as environmental management, resource efficiency, biodiversity conservation, and visitor awareness and engagement.
AEC Les Becchi Holiday Village – Green Key & LPO Refuge
AEC Les Becchi Holiday Village is committed to sustainable tourism through its Green Key certification, an internationally recognised environmental label for tourism establishments.
This certification reflects the implementation of practical measures to reduce water and energy consumption, improve waste management, encourage environmentally responsible behaviour among guests, and promote the local area and its resources.
The establishment is also a partner of the LPO (French Bird Protection League) through its LPO Refuge programme, which promotes the protection and enhancement of habitats for local wildlife.
This commitment helps preserve biodiversity while raising visitors’ awareness of the rich natural heritage of the Giffre Valley.
Arts et Vie Residence – Green Key & Travelife
The Arts et Vie Residence in Samoëns has been awarded the Green Key label, recognising its commitment to more responsible and sustainable tourism.
The residence implements a range of measures to reduce its environmental impact, including responsible resource management, waste sorting and recycling, sustainable purchasing practices, the use of renewable energy, and raising guests’ awareness of environmentally friendly behaviours.
Arts et Vie Residence is also engaged in the Travelife certification programme, a leading international standard for sustainable tourism.
This certification recognises good environmental, social and economic practices, while promoting a form of tourism that respects local communities, cultural heritage and natural environments.
Club Med Grand Massif Samoëns Morillon – Green Globe
Club Med Grand Massif Samoëns Morillon is Green Globe certified, an internationally recognised certification for tourism businesses committed to sustainable development.
The certification assesses a wide range of criteria, including resource management, waste reduction, responsible purchasing, the limitation of environmental impacts, and awareness-raising among both guests and staff.
Through its Happy to Care programme, Club Med implements numerous initiatives designed to promote more sustainable tourism.
These actions include reducing the environmental footprint of its resorts, preserving natural resources, supporting local economies, and encouraging guests to adopt more environmentally responsible behaviours.
The resort also supports initiatives aimed at preserving local biodiversity, helping to protect mountain ecosystems and promote the natural heritage of Haute-Savoie.
MMV Samoëns Village Residence – Green Key
MMV Samoëns Village Residence is committed to sustainable tourism through its Green Key certification, an internationally recognised environmental label for tourism accommodation providers.
This certification recognises the actions implemented to reduce resource consumption, improve waste sorting and recycling, and encourage guests to adopt environmentally responsible behaviours during their stay.
MMV also develops initiatives aimed at reducing waste, supporting local supply chains, improving the energy efficiency of its properties, and contributing to the ecological transition of mountain destinations.
Through these commitments, MMV helps promote a more sustainable approach to tourism while preserving the natural environment that makes mountain resorts so unique.
Alexane Residence – Green Key
Alexane Residence has been awarded the Green Key label, the leading international certification for sustainable tourism accommodation.
This distinction recognises the measures implemented to improve environmental management, reduce energy consumption, minimise waste, and encourage guests to adopt more responsible and sustainable practices.
Through the environmental strategy developed by MGM Hôtels & Résidences, the residence is actively working to reduce its environmental impact, support local stakeholders, and promote practices that respect natural resources and mountain biodiversity.
These commitments help foster a more sustainable model of tourism while preserving the exceptional natural environment that makes the Alps such a unique destination.
Au Nid Nature Grocery Shop – Organic Farming (AB Certification)
Au Nid Nature promotes more responsible consumption through a selection of products certified under the AB (Agriculture Biologique) label, France’s official organic farming certification.
This label guarantees farming practices that are environmentally friendly, support biodiversity and animal welfare, and limit the use of synthetic chemicals.
Whenever possible, the shop gives preference to local producers and short supply chains, helping to strengthen the local economy while reducing the environmental impact associated with transporting goods.
This approach also showcases local expertise and highlights the region’s products and traditions.
Through its range of organic and locally sourced products, as well as solutions designed to reduce single-use packaging, Au Nid Nature encourages more sustainable consumption habits.
The grocery store also helps raise awareness among residents and visitors alike about the challenges of ecological transition and the importance of sustainable consumption.
SIXT-FER-À-CHEVAL / PASSY NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE
Created in 1977, the Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval / Passy National Nature Reserve lies within the limestone massif of the Upper Giffre Valley. It encompasses two valleys – the Fer-à-Cheval Valley and the Fonts Valley – both shaped by glacial cirques and overlooked by high mountain peaks. It is the fifth-largest nature reserve in mainland France.
Covering approximately 9,000 hectares and ranging in altitude from 870 metres to 3,100 metres, the reserve includes a remarkable succession of mountain ecosystems, from montane and subalpine zones to alpine environments. Its diverse landscapes – including forests, alpine meadows, cliffs, limestone pavements (lapiaz) and glaciers – provide habitats for a rich variety of plant and animal species.
The Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval / Passy National Nature Reserve forms part of a network of five nature reserves that together create a protected area of 15,500 hectares, stretching between the Giffre Valley at Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval and the Arve Valley near Chamonix.
BIOTOPE PROTECTION AREA
A biotope is a natural habitat that provides the ecological conditions necessary for the survival and development of plant or animal species, including shelter, breeding grounds, resting areas and food resources.
The Lédedian – Combe de Vaconnant area is protected under a Biotope Protection Order, a legal measure designed to safeguard natural habitats that are essential to the survival of protected species, including birds, amphibians and rare plants.
This protection focuses not only on the species themselves but also on the habitats on which they depend, such as wetlands, cliffs, meadows and forests.
Any activity likely to damage or disturb these habitats may be regulated or prohibited.
NATURA 2000 SITES
The Natura 2000 network is a collection of protected natural sites across the European Union, designated for the rarity or vulnerability of the wildlife species and natural habitats they support.
Its objective is to maintain or restore these habitats and species to a favourable conservation status, recognising their importance at a European level.
Natura 2000 aims to strike a balance between human activities and the preservation of biodiversity.
Area: 18,122 hectares
Altitude:
Municipalities concerned:
Morzine, Passy, Samoëns, Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval and Verchaix
Site manager:
SIVM du Haut Giffre
The site has been designated under both the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive.
Area: 1,233 hectares
Altitude:
Municipalities concerned:
Taninges, Verchaix and Les Gets
Site manager:
SIVM du Haut Giffre
Notable habitats and species:
Since 2014, the site has been in the implementation phase of its management programme. The site’s Objectives Document (DOCOB) has been approved, and ongoing actions are being carried out in accordance with the measures and objectives it sets out.
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ICI, le m�dia de la vie locale
Les stations de Samo�ns, de Flaine, Morillon et Sixt Fer � Cheval sont des stations du domaine du Grand Massif, g�r�es par la compagnie des Alpes.
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