The "Gros Tilleul" (large lime tree), which symbolises the town of Samoens, was planted in 1438 to celebrate a ruling handed down by Duke Amadeus VIII of Savoy, stating that the inhabitants of Samoens owned the Frétérolle, Chardonnière, Vigny and Cuidex alpine meadows in the neighbouring Manche valley. The "Gros Tilleul" is quite remarkable for its age and its size. This famous landmark has been immortalised by numerous local authors, poets and musicians through the ages.

La Jaÿsinia in the village of Samoëns is the only botanic garden of its kind in the Alps, containing no less than 5,000 varieties of mountain flowers. It is both a place of study and a haven of tranquillity where people come to recover from stressful everyday lives. It is also a "must" for anybody spending some time in Samoëns.

In the centre of Samoens Jean-Claude Bellbarbe invites you to taste the "Pères Chartreux" liquors, including the famous green chartreuse and his extensive range of fruit and Genepy liquors. You will also have an opportunity to discuss local wine-growing, the methods used and the selection of vine varieties. The ideal opportunity to talk about wine with someone who really cares about it.

The tradition of stonework has made its mark on the Upper Giffre valley, with its countless limestone quarries. The locals turned to stone masonry to supplement their income from agriculture. In 1659, there were so many "frahans" (the local term for stone masons) in Samoens, and their skills were so renowned, that they formed a very famous brotherhood, which cared for the sick and trained young apprentices in its own school with a comprehensive library.
The members of the Samoens society of stone masons were commissioned to work on some of the greatest projects of the period: Vauban used them to build his forts and, Napoleon called on them to build the canals in Saint Quentin, Givors and much further afield in Poland and Louisiana.



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