Walking loop : The hamlets of Samoëns

Samoens used to be world famous for its stone masons, who exported their know-how to building sites all over the world.The tradition of stonework has made its mark on the Upper Giffre valley, with its countless limestone quarries (hardness coefficient 13). The locals turned to stone masonry to supplement their income from agriculture.The architecture of the village still bears testimony to their immense talent. 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 undertook philanthropic actions, 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 fortifications, Napoleon called on them to build the canals at Saint Quentin and they also undertook works in Givors, as well as much further afield in Poland and Louisiana. They spoke in their own dialect - "mourmé" - so that no-one else could understand them. A number of stonemasons continue the tradition today in Samoens and the brotherhood has become a cultural association, "La Société des Maçons", which organises guided tours of the town both in summer and winter.

Located in the centre of historic Samoëns, the old covered market and the Large Lime Tree serve as reminders of an age-old past but are still used as convivial meeting-places. In fact, they are a major part of local life. A example of living heritage.The old covered market, standing proudly on Place du Gros Tilleul, serves as a reminder of distant days when the economy of the whole valley centred on the main village and its weekly market. The regular Wednesday morning market in Samoëns was introduced by letters patent signed by Count Amadeus VI of Savoy in 1355. To provide shelter for the market, protect the goods and make it easier to pay dues, the villagers built the first covered market at that time. Every week, people would buy or sell sheets, furs, bonnets, seeds, fruit, eggs, cheese and meat and the market prospered. The covered market gets its name of "Grenette" from one of its original functions - to provide protection for cereals and seeds against bad weather during the weekly market. The building was also used for two annual fairs, auction sales in spring and public meetings that gave rise to the earliest forms of municipal life. The mediaeval wooden "grain store" was razed to the ground by a huge fire in 1476. Rebuilt in exactly the same way in the years that followed, the market was again ravaged by fire in 1537. The current building was erected during the 18th century. It is a strong, massive construction supported by a huge colonnade built of stone from Les Fontaines and it benefited from the expertise of Samoëns' stonemasons as well as concerns about hygiene at that time. A stream was diverted towards the building and was used as a sewer. It flowed in the open air for more than two hundred years before being covered over to please people out for a stroll. Since buildings were gradually spaced out in the area around the market and the threat of fire gradually disappeared, the covered market has survived to this day, albeit with several restoration projects along the way. The superb rafters in the roof of La Grenette were replaced in the 1880's but the market still has some features from the original building. La Grenette was included in the church conservation area in 1983 as a historic monument and no longer houses the food market on a Wednesday morning. Yet it has never been so busy. It was become a venue for popular events, much to the delight of locals and visitors to the resort and it remains an unusual and much-loved place in which to meet and chat.

Guided tour of the historical and architectural heritage of the village of Samoens in English. Tours on request (minimum 3 persons) .Follow the guides of the Société des Maçons de Samoëns, heir to the tradition of stonework in the Haut-Giffre region, and you'll discover the history of Samoëns and its famous migrant craftsmen. From the fountain to the Grenette, from the Château de la Tour to its stables, under the roots of the big lime tree, the guides will take you back behind the stones to the life of the old village around the church, and its current evolution into a summer and winter vacation resort. Meet in front of the Samoëns tourist office.

Guided tour of the historical and architectural heritage of Samoëns.History and architecture combine in Samoëns with the culture of its famous master masons. From the fountain to the Grenette, in front of the Château de la Tour or under the roots of the Gros Tilleul, discover, behind the stones, the life of the old village around the church and its current evolution into a summer and winter vacation resort. Meet in front of the Samoëns tourist office.