15 most beautiful villages around Portes du Soleil - French Alps

What makes the villages of Haute-Savoie special

The Savoy region has a long history dating back to the Middle Ages. Villages arose along the trade routes between France, Switzerland and Italy. Merchants, farmers and monks travelled through the valleys and built churches, abbeys and village centres.
The villages in this region are part of the Haute-Savoie department, an area known for its mountain landscapes, lakes and traditional villages. You can find more information about this region on the Haute-Savoie Mont Blanc Tourisme website.
Many of these villages have managed to preserve their original character. When driving through the region, you can see:

• Wooden Savoyard chalets
• Stone houses with wooden galleries
• Churches with characteristic towers
• Squares where local markets take place

This traditional architectural style is known as Savoyard architecture. The homes feature spacious balconies, which once served to dry hay. Now, these balconies are often filled with flowering plants, giving the villages a lively appearance.

In addition to culture, nature plays an important role in this region. The villages are surrounded by high Alpine peaks, green Alpine meadows, dense forests and beautiful mountain lakes. This makes the region unique for anyone looking for authentic mountain villages in the French Alps.

Day trips from Morzine, Châtel and Abondance

A holiday in the Portes du Soleil offers plenty of opportunities for fun day trips. From Morzine, Châtel or Abondance, you can quickly visit various valleys and villages.

Popular routes include:

• The Abondance valley towards Lake Léman
• The Vallée d’Aulps towards Morzine and Les Gets
• The Giffre Valley towards Samoëns and Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval

Many holidaymakers combine their village visit with a beautiful hike or bike ride in the French Alps, around the Portes du Soleil. With the Multi Pass, you have free or discounted access to chairlifts. For hiking enthusiasts, there are hundreds of kilometres of trails to explore. If you are looking for more inspiration, take a look at hiking in France.

Cycling enthusiasts are in luck because this region is one of the largest mountain biking areas in Europe. You can read more information at cycling in France and cycling in the Portes du Soleil.

However, cycling is not limited to Haute-Savoie; other regions of France are also popular. You can also cycle in Provence or go mountain biking in the Languedoc.

For your next holiday in France, there is yet another area to be cycled through. The cycle paths in the Dordogne are excellent. Take your partner on beautiful bicycle tours in the Poitou-Charentes.

2 La Chapelle-d’Abondance 0 km

La Chapelle-d’Abondance is situated slightly higher up in the Abondance valley, between Abondance and Châtel. This characteristic mountain village in Haute-Savoie is surrounded by vast, green alpine meadows. In the centre, you will find chalets, restaurants and a 17th-century church. Around this church are narrow streets with traditional houses that create the village's authentic atmosphere.

In the summer, you can see cows grazing on the alpine meadows, while their milk is used to produce delicious mountain cheeses such as Abondance and Beaufort.

La Chapelle-d’Abondance is an ideal starting point for hikers. Various trails begin from the village centre, leading you to mountain passes and viewpoints. In winter, there are lifts to the La Chapelle ski area. The peaceful surroundings and facilities make this traditional mountain village suitable for a family-friendly winter sports holiday.

3 Châtel 10 km

Châtel is one of the most famous mountain villages in Portes du Soleil and is located in the Haute-Savoie department. The village is not only a popular winter sports destination but also attracts many visitors in the summer due to its authentic atmosphere. The centre of Châtel is characterised by wooden chalets, whose balconies are often filled with colourful flowers. Along the main street, you can find various shops, restaurants with good atmosphere and cosy cafes.

Châtel has a rich history as an agricultural village and only developed into a tourist attraction in the twentieth century. In the summer, countless hiking and cycling routes can be discovered starting from the village. Perfect for nature lovers. In the winter, Châtel is a crucial gateway to an extensive ski area. Here, you can enjoy delicious Savoyard specialities in the restaurants, such as raclette, fondue and tartiflette.

If you are in the Châtel area in the summer, check whether the Tour de France passes through this region during that period; it happens regularly.

4 Morzine 25 km

Morzine is located in the Vallée d’Aulps in Haute-Savoie, in the heart of the Portes du Soleil ski area. It has a charming centre with wooden houses along the Dranse river.

Once an agricultural village, Morzine has now grown into a popular tourist destination. Chalets, restaurants and shops surround the central square.

In the summer, Morzine is a lively village with markets and events. In the winter, it transforms into a major ski resort within the Portes du Soleil.
Many visitors choose to use Morzine as their base for exciting excursions to the surrounding villages.

5 Les Gets 30 km

Les Gets is situated between Morzine and the Mont Blanc massif in the French Alps. This village has a charming centre where you can see wooden houses with wide balconies. The village square is the heart of Les Gets. Here you will find cafes and restaurants with cosy terraces. There are also small shops and artisan boutiques where you can buy local products. Due to the traditional chalets, the mountain scenery and the lively atmosphere, Les Gets is one of the most popular villages in the Portes du Soleil region of Haute-Savoie.

Les Gets attracts many families with children, as there are various playgrounds and fun activities for younger visitors. In the summer, there are often markets and festivals too. During these events, you can enjoy local specialities from Savoy. Moreover, various hiking trails with stunning views of the surrounding Alps start from Les Gets.

6 Montriond 26 km

Montriond is located near Morzine and is known for Lac de Montriond. This mountain lake was formed by a landslide. The steep rock faces that surround the lake give the water its deep blue colour. During the summer months, the lake attracts many visitors for good walks and picnics.

Along the shores, there are walking paths and small beaches where you can relax or dip your feet in the refreshing mountain water. Furthermore, the area around the lake is a beautiful starting point for hikes leading into the Portes du Soleil mountains.

In Montriond, there are traditional chalets, farmhouses and even a church. The atmosphere here is relaxed and quite different from the busier Morzine. Many visitors who come to Montriond with the goal of enjoying nature consider it to be one of the most beautiful villages in the Morzine area.

7 Saint-Jean-d’Aulps 30 km

Saint-Jean-d’Aulps is located in the Vallée d’Aulps. The village abbey, founded in the 11th century by Cistercian monks, is one of the most beautiful historical sites in Haute-Savoie. Today, the ruins form a unique site where visitors can learn more about the fascinating history of Savoy. Walking paths and information boards have been laid out around the complex. Small-scale cultural events are organised during the summer months.

The village itself consists of chalets, restaurants and small shops. Saint-Jean-d’Aulps has a relaxed atmosphere and serves as a good base for hikes in the surrounding mountains.

Due to the blend of history, nature and traditional architecture, Saint-Jean-d’Aulps is often regarded as one of the most authentic villages in Haute-Savoie.

8 Vacheresse 10 km

Vacheresse is a small mountain village in the Abondance valley, surrounded by green alpine meadows. From the village, you have beautiful views of the peaks of the Chablais-Alps. The village consists of traditional chalets and old farmhouses. The small church is located in the centre. Around the village are farms where local cheeses are produced. In Vacheresse, too, you can find balconies with flowering plants that contribute to the typical Savoyard appearance.

Many visitors come here for the peace and quiet as well as the mountain views. From this mountain village in the French Alps, various hiking routes start through the valley all the way to higher alpine meadows. The village is an ideal place for those who want to experience quiet village life and beautiful nature during their holiday in the French Alps.

9 Yvoire 37 km

Yvoire is one of the most famous medieval villages around Lake Léman and is amongst the most beautiful villages in Haute-Savoie. There is a good reason why it is on the list of Plus Beaux Villages de France. When you enter Yvoire, you feel as if you are stepping into a medieval village. Old city walls surround the centre. The narrow streets lead you to the 14th-century Château de Yvoire, strategically located on the lake.
In the streets, you will find artisan shops, art galleries and cosy restaurants. Many houses are decorated with colourful flowers and climbing plants, giving the village its lively appearance.

Do not miss the Jardin des Cinq Sens, a botanical garden full of scents, colours and plants. This garden is inspired by the monastic gardens of the Middle Ages.

You can also stroll along the small harbour, with a backdrop of Lake Léman and the Swiss Alps. On clear days, you can even see the mountains surrounding Lausanne.

10 Samoëns 55 km

In the Giffre valley in Haute-Savoie lies Samoëns, an authentic village in the French Alps. The village has a historic centre with stone houses, which is quite unique in this region, as many other buildings are made of wood. A lively market takes place every week on the central village square, which is surrounded by old linden trees. Here you can enjoy local specialities such as cheese, honey and Savoy sausage.

In the Middle Ages, Samoëns was an important centre for stonemasons, also known as the “Frahans.” These craftsmen worked on churches and castles throughout Europe. As you walk through the centre, you will see various buildings that serve as a reminder of this. This makes Samoëns one of the most beautiful villages in Haute-Savoie. Also, take a look at the Gros Tilleul on the village square, a tree that is over 500 years old and has a trunk circumference of 9.5 meters.

11 Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval 55 km

Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval is situated in a beautiful natural area in the French Alps, in Haute-Savoie. The village borders the Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval nature reserve, a vast mountain basin with steep rock faces rising hundreds of meters high and dozens of waterfalls cascading down.

The village of Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval has a vibrant centre with traditional chalets and a 12th-century abbey. This abbey forms the historical heart of the village. Many come to Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval to enjoy the beautiful hiking trails that go past waterfalls, mountain passes and scenic viewpoints. This area is one of the most beautiful natural areas in the French Alps. The waterfalls are especially spectacular during the spring, when the meltwater from the mountains flows down. The combination of impressive nature and historic buildings makes Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval one of the most special villages around Portes du Soleil.

12 Champéry 23 km

The Swiss villages of Champéry and Morgins are also part of the international Portes du Soleil ski area. You can find more information on the official Valais Switzerland Tourism website. Champéry features a charming centre with traditional Swiss chalets. Along Champéry's main street, you can find wooden chalets that have balconies filled with flowers during the summer. What makes Champéry truly unique is the view of the Dents du Midi mountain range. These peaks provide a spectacular backdrop to the village.

As early as the 19th century, people came to Champéry to enjoy the fresh mountain air and the beautiful landscape. Today, the village offers a mix of traditional architecture and modern amenities. You will find restaurants, shops and cafes in the village centre. If you are on vacation in the Portes du Soleil, Champéry is a lovely place for a day trip to Switzerland.

13 Morgins 18 km

Morgins is also located just across the Swiss border in the Portes du Soleil ski area. This village is considerably quieter than other larger villages in the area. Morgins is situated right in the middle of the mountains, amidst forests and alpine meadows. The centre features a mix of cosy chalets, atmospheric restaurants and small shops.

In the summer, this authentic mountain village in the French Alps is popular amongst hikers and mountain bikers. In the winter, it serves as a gateway to day skiing in the Portes du Soleil ski area.

14 Thonon-les-Bains 35 km

Thonon-les-Bains is located on the southern shore of Lake Geneva, also known as Lac Léman. The historic centre features narrow streets, charming squares and old buildings. A cable car takes you from the centre to the harbour lined with restaurants, terraces and waterfront promenades. From the harbour, you have a beautiful view of Lake Léman, with the mountains of Switzerland in the background.

Thonon has been known for its medicinal hot springs, health resorts and spas since the 19th century. Today, the town blends a historic ambience with modern amenities. For visitors to Portes du Soleil, Thonon-les-Bains is a popular spot for a day trip to the lake.

15 Évian-les-Bains 35 km

Évian-les-Bains is known worldwide for its mineral water. It is also one of the most famous places situated on Lake Geneva. The town has a chic appearance and numerous buildings that date from the Belle Époque period.

Along the promenade are hotels, cafes and restaurants with views of Lake Geneva. In the park that borders the water, you can enjoy a walk with fountains and colourful flowerbeds. One of the most famous places in Évian is the Source Cachat, a spring where you can taste the mineral water. Also visit the historic casino and the Palais Lumière of Évian, one of the most beautiful places around Lake Léman.