5 days on the Haute-Savoie village route

In the Portes du Soleil, the village of Abondance bears this name in honour of its generosity but also of its cheese, which has had the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée since 1990. This peaceful, traditional Alpine village has a rich cultural heritage, with restaurants, bars and shops. The farms and cows on the mountain pastures set the tone for the warm, family atmosphere in the village.

Take a trip to the Abondance cheese house. This cultural centre offers a fun, sensory approach to discovering the history, know-how and origins of this cheese. The visit ends with a cheese tasting accompanied by a glass of wine or apple juice. Admission for adults is €5.

Far from being flashy, its abbey is also a sensation and highlights medieval art. Every year, more than 20,000 people enter the abbey. It dominates the village with its cloister and Gothic architecture. This emblematic site of the village was taken over by the Cistercians and was also the first to be listed as a Historic Monument in 1875. A guided or self-guided tour takes in the Gothic cloister with its rose windows and capitals, the abbey church of Notre-Dame-d'Assomption with its paintings and statues, and the small museum of religious art.

💰 Admission €5 and free for children under 8.

⭐## Where to stay in Abondance?

Samoëns is the perfect image of a mountain village. It has preserved its character and authenticity, with ancient monuments and chalets, sundials and fountains. In 2021, Samoëns was voted the most beautiful village in Haute-Savoie.

You can take a long walk through the village, past the emblematic stone churches and several charming chapels. The main square with its ornate fountain, the covered market, the castle and the legendary lime tree are the main attractions. Its beautiful lime tree is 20 metres high and 9 metres in circumference. To find out more about the history of these monuments, take a guided tour of the town. As well as the historic sites, there are also beautiful shopping streets, bars and restaurants, as well as the Alpine botanical gardens, the halls and the local market.

⭐## Where to stay in Samoëns?

Showy on the edges, chic but also modern, Megève unveils its beautiful buildings, luxury hotels and casino in front of Mont Blanc. It soon attracted royalty with the arrival of Queen Elizabeth and King Albert 1st. With its rustic charm, this elegant resort is almost 100 years old and has built its reputation on its gastronomy, excellent shopping and views of the Alps.

Megève has a great atmosphere thanks to its car-free cobbled streets, which surround a 1,000-year-old church. Adding to its charm are horse-drawn sleigh rides and traditional markets every Friday. Nightlife in Megève is a little more refined than in other French ski resorts. You can expect a lively atmosphere. Here are two emblematic addresses:

• Ferme Saint-Amour

Ferme Saint-Amour is a farmhouse restored in vintage style. It's a restaurant serving delicious food in a warm and friendly atmosphere. When night falls, the music takes over and everyone dances. Don't forget to book a table, as this is a very popular spot.

• La Folie Douce

The Folie Douce chain is known for its festive atmosphere on the slopes. These bars are known to be the liveliest in the ski resorts, and the Megève branch is no exception. It is located at the top of Mont Joux. It's the perfect place for open-air music, dancing and cabaret from 2.30pm until the lifts close.

⭐## Where to stay in Megève?

On the shores of Lake Annecy nestles the village of Talloires-Montmin, near Menthon-Saint-Bernard (a village also well worth a visit). Before arriving at your destination, it's a good idea to take a stroll around the town: near the protected natural heritage of La Tournette and the road to the Col de la Forclaz. Paul Cézanne, Winston Churchill and Empress Eugénie all came to this village for its bay, cliffs and harbours.

Explore the Roc de Chère nature reserveon foot or by bike. This natural sanctuary, open all year round, boasts wild coves. You can also admire the endemic flora and fauna in a forested area between cliffs and marshy valleys. Take a walking tour of the village to discover its religious heritage, with its Benedictine abbey converted into a hotel and the Talloires priory. The Château de Duingt can be seen in the distance. At the very top of the Col de la Forclaz, you come to Montmin, a small hilltop village famous for its breathtaking views over the lake and the Bauges massif.

Discreet and sometimes forgotten, the village of Alby-sur-Chéran has its own charming streets and houses. Here, you can wander around the Place de Trophée, where a succession of colourfully rendered houses with arcades dating from the 14th to 16th centuries. This little village is famous for its cobbler's past. If you have the time (and the inclination), you can also go canoeing or fishing on the Chéran.

Situated between Annecy and Chambéry, on the banks of a river, the village has retained its medieval charm, with old streets, fortified houses and a chapel, as well as the remains of an ancient castle. The Shoemaker's Museum, open from September to May, bears witness to the history of this village and the activities of the Albigensian people up until the 20th century. Nearly 300 artisan shoemakers worked in the town, making Savoy shoes. In the museum, you can see period shoes, the tools and machines used, and explanations of how they were made.

⭐## Where to sleep in Alby sur Chéran?